GF54.50-P-2013GZ Calibrate Compass Function

GF54.50-P-2013GZ Calibrate Compass Function

Following an interruption to the voltage supply, e.g. if the battery was discharged or disconnected, then the electronic compass (B26) has to be calibrated. During this procedure the electronic compass measures the magnetic conditions of the vehicle. This in turn means that the compass can compensate for magnetic overlays, which could otherwise result in course errors.

Calibration trip
During a calibration trip it is important that the compass covers all cardinal points. For this reason, the calibration will be completed fastest when the calibration trip is conducted on a circular path; the tangents on a circle have a different orientation at each point of the circle.

Magnetic environment
Ferromagnetic materials (e.g. iron and nickel) influence their surrounding magnetic field and thus locally also the earth's magnetic field, which the compass also uses for calibration. The same applies for electrical currents. Each conductor through which a current flows is surrounded by a magnetic field, the strength of which is dependent on the amperage.
For these reasons, the above-mentioned conditions must be taken into consideration when performing calibration.

Compass calibration
To perform a correct calibration the correct zone must first be entered or checked, before starting the calibration trip ("Vehicle" configuration in Combi menu). The current zone (1 to 15), in which the vehicle is located must be entered. The multifunction display (A1p13) in the instrument cluster (A1) shows the "CALIBRATION ACTIVE" display and the message with the request "Please drive in a full circle". Following successful calibration the multifunction display shows "Successfully completed" and the cardinal points are displayed.