Can I do this to my 1490T ?

The traffic receiver is built into the power cord. Turning off traffic won't make any difference in the unit's operation and abilities, no will it impact it in areas where there is no traffic function.

The easiest way to turn off traffic is to use a non-traffic power cord, but that means you would have to remember to swap out the cord before going into an area that has traffic coverage.

It seems to me that the default situations is that you will not get any traffic situation reports now.

In my case I keep hoping that I will but my city is not one that currently covered on traffic.

A way to prevent traffic from interfering with your route is to uncheck traffic under Avoidances.

Tools-Settings-Navigation-Avoidances-Enabled then uncheck Traffic.

H'mmm, it would seem the very easiest way to turn off traffic locally is to not use the power cord at all. Use the battery locally, use the power cord on road trips over two hours in length.

What is the alternate power cord? #10723 seems to be the popular one, the one that came with my gps. Unfortunately at Amazon the other nuvi power cord does not have a number, just a picture.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-n%C3%BCvi-Vehicle-Power-Cable/d...

Is this the alternate one I would consider, or is there another?

is the generic power cord which doesn't have an FM traffic receiver and is compatible with your unit.

Still wondering why it is necessary that you do anything or buy anything. You are not getting any "traffic" on your unit, are you?

My 765T only gets traffic when I am
(1) not in my home city which does not have traffic
and
(2) on a trip where I am not familiar with the roads and really do want to know about traffic.

But if that is right, why is the 010-10723-14 listed as the accessory cable for the 1490T at the Garmin site? Why would Garmin suggest an accessory cable that would NOT work with lifetime traffic?

The receiver for traffic is part of the power cable and not built into the Nuvi. The traffic receiver cable, like the non-traffic cable can be used on multiple units.

If the Nuvi is plugged into the traffic receiver you should be able to turn the traffic feature off through Tools - Settings - Traffic (or Tools - Settings - Navigation (can't recall which it is )and uncheck the "Enable Traffic" box.

I believe the Traffic icon under settings will only appear if the Nuvi is being powered by the traffic receiver.

just go into tools settings traffic

You have to have the unit attached to your power cable in the car to access the traffic feature...

"If the Nuvi is plugged into the traffic receiver you should be able to turn the traffic feature off through Tools - Settings - Traffic (or Tools - Settings - Navigation (can't recall which it is )and uncheck the "Enable Traffic" box.

I believe the Traffic icon under settings will only appear if the Nuvi is being powered by the traffic receiver."

That clarifies everything. I did not look for a way to check or uncheck the traffic feature with the cable/receiver plugged in, so the traffic icon and check box in it never appeared. Now I have found it: all is well. Thank you!