FixVault

Compass Magnetic Variation Adjustment

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2004 GMC Envoy XUV, 2004 GMC Envoy XL, 2004 GMC Envoy, and 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Magnetic variation adjustments are required when the compass displays a constant error in heading. Variation is the difference between magnetic north and true north due to geographical location.

    Fig 1: World Magnetic Variation Map
    GM384280Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  1. Locate your current geographic location on the World Magnetic Variation Map.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Press and hold the switch for the compass, which may be depicted as COMP, COMPASS, or On/Off (w/UE1) depending on the type of mirror on the vehicle, until a zone number appears on the compass display.
  4. Depress the switch for the compass to select the desired zone number.
  5. Wait 5 seconds, the display will return to a compass heading. The variance procedure is now complete.