I have just purchased a new MX-5 in the UK.
I noticed that the built in navigation was not showing traffic data. When accessing the Travel Information menu item, traffic is greyed out.
I changed a number of the traffic settings and re-inserted the SD card, and then Traffic showed up in the Travel Information menu, and was shown on the map.
I have booked the car back into the dealer to look at, but in parallel contacted Mazda customer support for advice. This is what they came back with:
I can confirm that your Mazda MX-5 is not equipped with the traffic feature, so it is not advertised as one. As stated in the vehicle’s brochure, it is equipped with “European mapping with alternative route calculations, point of interest search and 7-years free map updates”.
There are two reasons why this feature is not available of this model; the first being that the vehicle has no online functionality. Additionally, Global, who used to broadcast traffic via radio data via Classic FM did not renew the licence, with no one taking this on (mainly due to drivers now using Applemaps, Google Maps or Waze for more live traffic information). Therefore, this feature has been lost in the UK on factory navigation.
This doesn’t make complete sense given that the traffic sometimes shows up.
Does anyone have any further information. ? I haven’t heard tht TMC has been disabled more widely in the UK, but I don’t want to waste the dealer’s time if this feature has effectively been withdrawn.
[I know I can use CarPlay and waze etc, but it seems crazy to have a new car with built in navigation and no traffic data]
I’m a bit confused, you’ve changed some settings and traffic information now works, so why are you still planning to take it into a dealer?
I’d read into Mazda’s response that, they can’t guarantee that traffic info will work so they don’t advertise it as such but if it does work then lap it up!
Trafficmaster RDS-TMC service was switched off in March 2023.
DAB-TMC is available but no where near as widespread as the RDS-TMC was.
TPEG is also now available but the take up is very slow.
Thanks for the info.
Apologies, I wasn’t completely clear - I have to do the dance of messing with the settings / SD card every time I get into the car.
From the Mazda Connect Navi manual for my 2025 MX-5:
TMC (Traffic Message Channel) can provide you with the real-time status of the Traffic. Route calculation can avoid road blocks or unexpected Traffic jams caused by an accident.
This feature is available only if your hardware supports TMC.
TMC is a specific application of the FM Radio Data System (RDS) used for broadcasting real-time Traffic information. Using Traffic information is enabled by default in Mazda navigation system.
TMC is not a global service. It may not be available in your country or region. Ask your local dealer for coverage details.
The Mazda navigation system may contain the TMC receiver that is needed to receive Traffic events. Ask your local dealer. If public Traffic data is broadcast at your location, Mazda navigation system automatically takes into account the Traffic events received. You do not need to set anything in the programme. The receiver will automatically search the FM radio stations for TMC data, and the decoded information will immediately be used in route planning. When Mazda navigation system receives Traffic information that may affect your route, the programme will warn you that it is recalculating the route, and navigation will continue with a new route that is optimal considering the most up-to-date Traffic conditions. To fine-tune this recalculation, you can set the minimum delay that can trigger a route recalculation, or you can instruct Mazda navigation system to have you confirm the new recommended route before it takes effect. You can do these in Traffic Settings
Also:
The recommended route is not always the same between two points. Online historical traffic information (historical speed information or traffic patterns) can be taken into account in the route calculation based on the time of day and the day of week whenever suitable data exists. In addition, real-time traffic information can help you avoid current traffic events like temporary road closures or a traffic jam caused by an accident. Both functions are subject to data availability.
Yes, I found the same on my 2025 ND3, no traffic info with the built in satnav, which makes it all rather useless really…
Out of interest, Minty, are you based in the UK and does the traffic work on yours each time you use the car?
I am based in UK. I haven’t actually tried it, my Android Auto connects when I get in the car so I usually use Google Maps. I’ll check and report back.
I had a look at the settings and the traffic option is available and switched on with a tick by default. I have no idea whether it is receiving any traffic data as it was a relatively short journey.
That’s interesting because that option is greyed out on mine, so I cannot tick the box.
Looks like I misunderstood slightly. The traffic options under navigation settings are accessible, but under Travel Information ‘Traffic’ is greyed out on mine also.