Google Maps is one of those apps I use almost every time I get behind the wheel, but I rarely stop to think about how much its default setup was affecting my Android Auto experience.
The map can feel cluttered, alerts can be distracting, and some default navigation behavior doesn’t match how I prefer to drive.
Instead of blaming Android Auto, I started digging through Google Maps and made tweaks that made a bigger difference than I expected.
Create shortcuts for frequently visited locations
My regular stops are always ready
One of the simplest changes I made was cleaning up my saved destinations in Google Maps.
I set up shortcuts for places I visit regularly, including Home, Work, my favorite pizza place, my doctor, my architect’s office, and other frequently visited locations.
It sounds basic, but it makes a major difference when I am using Android Auto.
Instead of pulling out my phone, typing an address, or scrolling through recent searches, I can tap the search bar in Google Maps on my car’s display and pick the destination I need.
A couple of taps later, navigation is running.
I appreciate this for places like my doctor’s or architect’s office, where I don’t visit every day but still want the address ready when I need it.
Create and pin Gemini Actions on the Android Auto dashboard
One tap handles my common commands
Another change that made my Android Auto experience easier is creating Gemini Actions and pinning them to my dashboard.
Instead of repeating the same voice command every time I get in the car, I can turn those common requests into one-tap shortcuts.
You can head into Android Auto settings on your phone and tap Customize Launcher > Add a shortcut to the Launcher > A Gemini action menu, and set a command and launcher icon label.
I currently use three Actions regularly: Find me nearby restaurants, Find me nearby fuel stations, and Send an ETA to Priya on WhatsApp.
With these pinned to the dashboard, I tap the Action, and Gemini handles the rest.
If I am looking for somewhere to eat, for example, I tap the shortcut, and Gemini searches for restaurants around my current location.
The fuel station shortcut is equally handy, while the ETA action saves me from manually opening WhatsApp and composing a message.
These are small automations, but that is why I like them. The possibilities are endless with these actions.
Change driving avatar
My map finally matches my car
The default blue navigation arrow does its job, but I never found it interesting, especially on the larger Android Auto display in my car.
Google Maps lets me replace it with a proper driving avatar, and I can choose the vehicle style and color.
I picked one that looks closer to my own car, which makes the map feel a little more personal every time I start navigation.
It doesn’t change how Maps works, but I spend enough time looking at that screen that I appreciate the small visual upgrade.
Instead of starting at the same generic blue arrow on every drive, I now have a vehicle that looks like it belongs to my Hyundai SUV dashboard.
Select Engine type
Maps now knows what I drive
While setting up my vehicle, I changed the engine type in Google Maps.
Since my car runs on petrol, I selected that, but Maps also offers options for diesel, Hybrid, and Electric vehicles.
This isn’t another cosmetic preference. Google Maps can use the engine type when estimating which route should be more fuel- or energy-efficient, since different types of vehicles perform better on different kinds of roads and traffic conditions.
For example, hybrids can benefit more from stop-and-go driving, while diesel vehicles may have an efficiency advantage on highways.
It gives Maps a little more context about the car I drive.
Music controls stay within easy reach
This option isn’t directly linked to Android Auto. But if you use your Android phone or tablet inside a car while driving, you can enable this option to unlock media controls and related playlists in Google Maps.
From Settings > Navigation, Maps lets me connect a supported media app so I can manage music without constantly switching away from navigation.
After it is set up, I can pause, resume, skip a track, or get back to my music while keeping the map front and center.
I find this useful on longer drives in my old car, which doesn’t have an Android Auto unit. It is a small setting, but keeping those controls within easy reach reduces unnecessary taps and makes the Android Auto experience more seamless.
A cleaner way to navigate daily
Google Maps already works well with Android Auto, but a few small changes made it feel much better suited to the way I drive.
None of these settings transform Android Auto on their own, but together they make navigation faster, cleaner, and less distracting.
If you use Google Maps in your car regularly, it is worth spending a few minutes digging through its settings instead of sticking with the defaults.
