System Description: Compass: Description: Description

• This electronic compass is able to display 8 primary directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW.
• The compass switch (1) is used to operate the compass.

Fig 1: Identifying Compass Switch

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

Switch Operation 

• All standard compasses determine direction relative to magnetic north; however, this electronic compass is designed to display direction relative to true north.
• The difference between magnetic north and true north varies from place to place across the surface of the earth.
• This electronic compass must be "told" approximately where it is on the earth's surface so that the magnetic north reading can be properly converted into a true north display.
• To tell the electronic compass where it's at, the earth is separated into numbered "Zone Variances". The zone variance number in which the compass is to function must be entered into this electronic compass.
• Each zone is magnetically about 4.2° wide. Typically, anything under 22.5° total zone change is not noticed on the electronic compass display. However, over 22.5°, a reading may be off by one or more primary directions.
• On long trips, a vehicle may leave its original zone and enter one or more new zones. Generally, you do not need to reset the compass zone if you travel between 3 or 4 zones, such as business travel or vacation. The typical driver will not notice any difference on the display within 3 or 4 zones. However, if the vehicle is "permanently" moved to a new location, it is recommended that the compass zone be reset.