Is it possible to lock the central section of the main instrument display so that it always shows the same information

Johnny Rocket · Jan 25, 2026

Evening all,

I'm grateful for help resolving an annoying 'car knows better' issue which only appeared recently on my Aug '21 Ocean.

My main dash display has always been set to what I think is called 'Classic' layout - i.e. with two full-size round analogue dials and a user-selectable information panel in the centre section between the tacho and speedo - I always had this middle part set to the 'driving data' summary option, and would only scroll up or down within that option to see my fuel or maybe occasionally AdBlue range, always afterwards reverting to driving data for that trip.

And I use Google Maps as my navigator. And I'm happy with that; so any answer needs to be only Google Maps-specific please !

So far so good . . . .

A few weeks ago I found the centre panel showing my driving data would, without request, switch to show simple turn-by-turn driving instructions from the SatNav . . . . the only pattern I've so far been able to establish with this behaviour, is that often the change to what's shown in the central panel comes after some action on the main Nav screen, whether reloading or changing a route, adding a stop, or whatever. But I'm sure also that sometimes it flips entirely of its own accord.

Try as I might, I have found nothing anywhere in any menu which can successfully lock the centre main dash space again to show driving data-only, although it definitely did stay with this setting always for the 4+ years previous to this !!!

I'm grateful if anyone knows what's going on here . . . better still can offer a fix, but please, and no offence here to anyone's alternative preferences, I don't want to know how much better Apple Maps or Waze is, or why I should be delighted to have turn-by-turn instructions imposed on me when I didn't ask for them - we can have a vote on this question if anyone cares to in another thread (although that debate has likely been done to death many times already) !!!

Thanks in advance folks ! John.

Roger Boeken · Jan 26, 2026

Something must have changed to trigger your problem.
Did you get the latest software update ?
Post in thread 'Software update (big) today'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/software-update-big-today.60839/post-770095
Is it only when using google maps or also with other apps/maps ?

sidepod · Jan 26, 2026

There’s a setting in the menu that toggles on/off “show nav directions in display” or words to that effect. Check it’s not been changed?

Johnny Rocket · Jan 26, 2026

Roger Boeken said:
Something must have changed to trigger your problem.
Did you get the latest software update ?
Post in thread 'Software update (big) today'
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/software-update-big-today.60839/post-770095
Is it only when using google maps or also with other apps/maps ?

Yep, I should check whether it thinks it’s up to date - will do PDQ, thanks !

Johnny Rocket · Jan 26, 2026

sidepod said:
There’s a setting in the menu that toggles on/off “show nav directions in display” or words to that effect. Check it’s not been changed?

Do you have any clue please as to which menu ?! - presumably NOT the VW native navigation menu (but stranger things have been known !) . . . I’ll trawl again through all the menus on the main screen in case I’ve missed something. Thanks.

Johnny Rocket · Jan 28, 2026

Johnny Rocket said:
Yep, I should check whether it thinks it’s up to date - will do PDQ, thanks !

No updates available

Johnny Rocket · Jan 28, 2026

Johnny Rocket said:
Do you have any clue please as to which menu ?! - presumably NOT the VW native navigation menu (but stranger things have been known !) . . . I’ll trawl again through all the menus on the main screen in case I’ve missed something. Thanks.

The only menu option I can find is to elect to show a repeat of the principal navigation screen in the main dash between the dials (which I nevertheless have ensured is unticked), but sadly that's not the issue here - it's the rogue hijacking by the simple turn-by-turn icons of my 'permanent'(ly wanted) driving data summary in the central portion that I want to banish !

From a test a day or so ago, it's clear that at least one thing which prompts the turn-by-turns instructions to take over and replace the driving data panel, is when you deviate from the route which Google Maps originally laid out and that you initiated with 'START'; e.g. (but not only) when you take a detour because your local knowledge is better than the SatNav's, or simpler, you just make a mistake !

sidepod · Jan 29, 2026

This has come up before. I believe it’s simply a case of scrolling back to Driving Data using the right hand steering wheel buttons, as you would to check say, AdBlue range.
The turn by turn display is part of the Navigation option as you scroll with the buttons.

Johnny Rocket · Jan 29, 2026

Yes, that’s what I have to do, but it’s now at least 20x a journey since whatever occurred to prevent it being locked with driving data as the default in that segment of the dash, and thus it’s become a complete bind !

I expect I’ve suffered some or other stealth background downgrade, imposed by the nanny state of VW, Alphabet or Apple .

sidepod · Jan 29, 2026

I think this first cropped up around the time of the last iOS Apple upgrade?

I know VWs obsession with unnecessary over complicated menus is annoying but I just remind myself that all that’s required really is a speedo and temperature gauge. As long as I have those I couldn’t give a toss what’s displayed.

Relax and enjoy the ride.

CC44853 · Jan 29, 2026

I had a 2020 Coast, and now a 2022 Ocean. Agree this is annoying but I found a workaround by using Carista to toggle the setting off. I can't for the life of me remember what the setting was called. It's annoying it's not exposed in the infotainment system. But now my dash display only shows what I've selected and nothing appears/changes when using phone navigation.