Garmin Navigational Software Update Supplies Drivers With Fuel-Efficient Routes

Garmin Navigational Software Update Supplies Drivers With Fuel-Efficient Routes

Garmin International announced today that it's offering a free software update for the company's stand-alone Nuvi 205- and 705-series personal travel assistants that allows drivers to select the most fuel-efficient route and to track their fuel usage.

The announcement, made at the 2009 International Consumer and Electronics Show in Las Vegas, follows recent announcements by Honda and Ford that some of their vehicles will soon be fitted with in-dash eco-driving navigational systems.

But unlike those systems, Garmin's ecoRoute software update takes a look at all of various routes from starting point to destination and can provide the one that's likely to require the least amount of fuel.

EcoRoute's Less Fuel option does this by studying a variety of factors, including traffic speed and the number of stop lights along routes, and "tries to route you on roads where your speed will be constant," Garmin spokeswoman Jessica Myers said by phone.

"That doesn't necessarily mean it will always put you on the freeway," she said, "but rather it will figure out the way to route you to maximize your fuel economy."

Prior to the software update, which will be available for download in February, ecoRoute only supplied drivers with Shortest Distance -- as the crow would fly -- and Fastest Time -- think highways and freeways. 

The software also now offers fuel-saving tips, which appear in text form (as opposed to verbal suggestions).

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.