Waze: 8 essential tips to know before hitting the road
Difficult in 2023 to hit the road without using Waze. Google’s application is indeed one of the most effective and continues to offer new features at regular intervals. We had already spoken to you at the beginning of the year about some slightly hidden options of this improved GPS. While the holidays are in full swing, we’re getting our hands dirty again and today we’re talking about 5 tips to make your trip easier.
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1/ Where to fill up at the best price?
With fuel prices going as they please, going on vacation by car becomes a real headache when it comes to to the budget to be allocated to gasoline. Waze allows you to display on your screen the service stations that offer the most attractive prices. You only have to choose first what is your poison in “vehicle information”. To then access the option, here is the path: my Waze->Settings->Gas-stations->Sort stations by price.
If you drive an electric vehicle, you can type “Fast charging station” in the destination search to find the nearest one. Alternatively, and for a limited period from July 15 to August 28, the app has partnered with Norauto to display on the map more than 13,000 brand charging stations.
If there is one quality that we can find in Waze, it is that it is very complete. Which, paradoxically, can also turn against it to make it a fault. It is indeed sometimes difficult to follow the map so many icons are piled up there. You can therefore decide for your visual well-being to make some of them disappear. To do this, go to “settings->map display”. There, the “Reports” tab will allow you to sort and the option “Show Wazers” can also be unchecked.
3/ Control Waze by voice
Not always easy to use Waze when driving. It can even be dangerous when it makes us take our eyes off the steering wheel and the road. Since designers are aware of this problem, you are possible to control the application using your voice. To do this, go to “My Waze” and simply click on the little microphone next to the search bar. Once this is done, all you have to do is give your instructions by starting your sentences with “OK, Google…”.
4/ Tell your friends about your progress
Waze indeed allows you to send messages to your contacts to notify them in real time of the time when you will arrive where you are expected. To do this, when you use the application in navigation mode, bring up the hidden menu under the arrival time. You will then find the “Ride sharing” box which you can click. Now it’s up to you to choose through which channel (SMS, Messenger, etc.) you want the person to receive your trip information. She can even follow your race live on her own smartphone.
5/ Avoid tolls!
Paid highways save time, it’s undeniable, but they can also be a real drain on the budget. So if you are not in a hurry and want to save money on this expense, Waze simply offers you to avoid the tolls. Go to “Settings->Navigation” and uncheck the option.
6/ Add your Crit’Air sticker
Bicycle sores no longer want your car in city centers! If you have a car that pollutes a little more than the others, you could well be banned from driving in these areas that smell good of fair trade quinoa and gluten-free bread. To be sure of having the right to drive in these sectors (Low Emission Zone), just enter your type of Crit’Air sticker and Waze will notify you! Go to “Settings->Navigation->Add a Crit’Air sticker”. There are even vignettes specific to certain cities such as Paris, Perpignan, Avignon, Marseille, Rennes, etc.
7/ Listen to your favorite music
From “Settings->Audio player”, it is possible to listen to your music without having to change the application. Connect your account Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer or YouTube Music! It is also possible to put on the radio (RTL, FUN, NRJ) or to listen to a podcast or an audio book!
8/ Avoid traffic jams…
This last feature is almost magical. In “Settings->Planned trips” it is possible to synchronize your calendar with Waze. If you’re worried about being stuck in traffic or if you don’t know how long it will take you to get to a certain place, Waze will let you know when it’s time to hit the road taking into account traffic, weather, etc.
