dmwil

How do you recalibrate the electronic compass (located in the driver information display under the speedometer)? Mine always indicates an incorrect direction.

ronjenx

Do you have anything on the dash that would influence the magnetic compass that is under the center cover on the dash?

Have you had the compass out, and possibly reinstalled it backwards?

The compass is self calibrating. If it decides it needs calibration, the letters "CAL" will appear where the direction is normally displayed.

To answer your question...
This is from the 2008 Owner's Manual:

Compass Calibration
The Automatic Compass Calibration feature eliminates
the need for operator intervention under normal conditions.
If the CAL indicator is lit, the compass needs to be
calibrated. A good calibration requires a level surface and
an environment free of large metal objects such as large
buildings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks,
etc.
NOTE: Magnetic materials should be kept away from
the top of the instrument panel above the radio. This is
where the compass sensor is located.

Automatic Compass Calibration
The self-calibrating feature of the compass eliminates the
need to calibrate the compass for normal conditions.
During a short initial period, the compass may appear
erratic and the CAL symbol will appear (blinking) on the
display. After the vehicle has completed at least one
complete circle under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free
from large metal objects, calibration will be complete
when the CAL symbol is extinguished.
After initial calibration, the compass will continue to
automatically update this calibration whenever the vehicle
is in motion.

Manual Compass Calibration
NOTE: Before attempting a manual compass calibration,
the engine must be running and the transmission
in the PARK position (if equipped).
If the compass seems in error or erratic, you may wish to
manually recalibrate the compass. To manually calibrate
the compass, you must first enter the variance mode.
Press and hold the left button (located on the instrument
cluster) for approximately 10 seconds to enter the variance
mode, and release the button when the VAR (Compass
Variance) symbol appears. The current variance
value will also be displayed. Once in the variance mode,
it is necessary to release the button, and then press and
hold it again (approximately 10 seconds) until CAL is
displayed (solid, not blinking). Manual compass calibration
has been initiated. Drive the vehicle slowly in one or
more circles under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from
large metal objects until the CAL symbol is extinguished.

When the CAL symbol is no longer displayed, the
compass is calibrated and should display correct headings.
Verify proper calibration by checking North (N),
South (S), East (E), andWest (W). If the compass does not
appear accurate, repeat the calibration procedure in another
area.
Compass Variance (VAR)
Variance is the difference between magnetic North and
geographic North. For proper compass function, the
correct variance zone must be set.
Setting the Compass Variance
Refer to the variance map for the correct compass variance
zone. To check the variance zone, the ignition must
be ON. Press and hold the left button (located on the
instrument cluster) for approximately 10 seconds to enter
the variance mode and release the button when the VAR
symbol appears. The current variance value will also be
displayed. To change the zone, press the left button once
to increment the zone. The default is Zone 8. After Zone
15, the values will wrap around to Zone 1. When the
correct zone is displayed (per the Compass Variance
Zone Map) for the zone that the vehicle is located in, wait
for about five seconds, then the trip computer will store
the variance value in memory and the compass will
resume normal operation.
NOTE: The U.S./Metric display will change from English
to Metric or Metric to English before the VAR
symbol appears, however, it will revert back to its
original setting after programming the compass functions.

dmwil

I'm wondering if mine is broken. There isn't any object around it to throw it off, and it pretty much stays stuck on South. I'm going to try manua calibration to see what happens. It isn't a huge deal because I have the nav unit with GPS, but it is slightly annoying when I've got it set to show the outside temp. It would be nice if it was showing the correct direction.

Thanks for the help!