How to get the car in Google Maps?

[StBrielle]

Personalizing your car icon in Google Maps involves two main features: creating a Vehicle Profile for tailored routing and changing the navigation pointer icon (the “driving avatar”) during a trip. The process is quick and enhances the navigation experience, especially for electric vehicle (EV) drivers who benefit from integrated charging station searches.

To set up a Vehicle Profile, open the Google Maps app and tap your profile picture. Navigate to Settings > Your vehicles > Add vehicle. Here, you select your engine type—Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric, or CNG/LPG. For EV owners, this step is critical as it unlocks the ability to see compatible charging stations along your route. The system uses this profile to optimize suggestions, like estimating battery range for longer trips.

Changing the moving icon on the map is a separate, on-the-fly action. Once you begin navigation to a destination, tap the blue arrow (or the current vehicle icon) at the bottom right. A menu pops up allowing you to choose from various vehicle icons. Common options include a sedan, SUV, pickup truck, and a more detailed mini-car. You can also select from a palette of colors for further customization. This change is purely visual and does not affect routing logic.

A highly practical related feature is saving your parked car’s location. Tap the blue dot indicating your current position and select “Save parking.” Google Maps will drop a pin labeled “Parking location.” To retrieve it later, simply tap the search bar in the app, and your saved parking spot will appear as a quick-select option—invaluable in crowded lots or unfamiliar city streets.

For users seeking a clear visual guide, the available customizations can be summarized as follows:

Feature	Primary Action	Key Benefit
Vehicle Profile	Add vehicle in Settings; Select engine type	Enables tailored routing (e.g., EV charging stations)
Navigation Icon	Tap blue arrow during navigation; Choose icon/color	Personalizes the map view for easier tracking
Parked Car	Tap blue dot; Select “Save parking”	Never forget where you parked

These features are designed based on widespread user behavior patterns. Industry data on in-app personalization shows that even simple customizations like icon changes can significantly improve user engagement and perceived utility. According to driving habit analyses, the “Save parking” function is among the top three most-used ancillary features in navigation apps for urban drivers.

[Ross]

As an EV driver, my first step in Maps is always setting up the Vehicle Profile. I go to Settings, add my electric car under “Your vehicles,” and that’s it. Now, whenever I plan a long trip, the app automatically shows me charging stops along my route and even estimates if I’ll have enough battery to make it. It takes the guesswork out of road trips. I don’t bother with the fancy car icons much, but knowing Maps understands my car’s needs is the real game-changer for me.

[StRuby]

Okay, let me walk you through the icon thing because that’s what I use daily. I drive a red SUV, and I wanted my map icon to match. It’s simple. I start navigating anywhere, then I tap that little blue arrow moving along the route. A selection of cars comes up—I pick the SUV shape and then tap the color red. Now, when I’m driving, I’m following a little red SUV on the screen instead of a generic arrow. It feels more intuitive and is easier to spot quickly. It’s a small touch, but it makes the whole interface feel more personal and less robotic.

[LaLandon]

I constantly forget where I park. The “Save parking” feature is my savior. As soon as I get out of the car, I open Maps, tap the blue dot for my current location, and hit “Save parking.” A label gets pinned. Later, when I’m wandering around a multi-story garage or a busy street, I just open the app. My parking spot is right there in the search bar, one tap away for directions back. Sometimes I even add a note like “Level 3, next to elevator.” It’s foolproof and has saved me so much time and frustration.

[Maeve]

I manage a mixed fleet for a small business, and we use Google Maps across different vehicle types. For our delivery hybrid, we set up a Hybrid Vehicle Profile to get the most fuel-efficient routing. Our electric service van has an Electric profile, which is crucial for planning service routes with charging breaks. The drivers also personalize their navigation icons—it helps them identify their own route at a glance when we’re reviewing trips. The combination is practical: the backend profile handles the smart routing for efficiency, while the front-end icon change improves usability during the drive. It’s a good example of an app catering to both logistical and human-factors needs.