Description:
A Global Positioning System
(GPS) uses a network
of satellites that communicate with a GPS receiver
in your car.
Purpose: A GPS provides exact
latitude, longitude, and altitude for any location on earth. From a
driving standpoint, this can be an extremely convenient feature to
help find directions no matter where you are without getting out of
the car. A GPS can even provide local information of interest, such
as restaurants, attractions and so on. When combined with
telematics—the integration of computers and telecommunications—GPS
can be a great aid in the event of an emergency. Consider the
following scenario. In a serious collision, one or more of the
vehicle’s airbags will deploy. When this happens, it can trigger a
call to a response center, signaling the need for emergency help.
Since the network of satellites knows the exact vehicle location,
the response center can dispatch emergency assistance
as soon as the information is received, possibly saving lives.
In a less dramatic example, GPS with telematics can
even be used for
remote unlocking of
the doors if
the keys were accidentally left in the vehicle.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
To
fully understand the capabilities and functions of your car’s GPS, read
the car’s owner’s manual or the manual that came with the
GPS. This is especially true if the GPS
integrates services with a response
center.
