Adding functions to driver info display

[Dutchie]

Hi all,

New member here with a 2017 Expedition XLT.

The first question that I'd like to ask is about the driver information display in the instrument cluster. The version that is on my truck is located between the tach and speedo (single screen) and I wanted to see if it is possible to add functions to this display. Turn DLR on/off, tire pressures, boost etc. are some of the options I'd like to add.

Much appreciated.

Dutch.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Dutch, do some searching on the forum. All of the answers to your questions are literally right here before you. Specifically find the “forscan” thread and spend time reading it. You won’t have any questions left to answer if you read that entire thread.


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[Dutchie]

Cool. Thanks. I should have done that to begin with.

 

[HavasuMike]

Hate to sound stupid, but what is "forscan"?

 

[HockeyPuck99]

Hate to sound stupid, but what is "forscan"?

HavasuMike, check out this link: http://www.forscan.org/

Basically it is a free program that you can download to your computer, which allows you to do a number of things that aren't available through the built in user interface in your car. Below are the main features from the website.

Main features

• Detect vehicle on-board network configuration

• Read and reset Diagnostic Trouble Codes from all modules (see list of supported modules)

• Reading of modules' sensors' data

• Run test diagnostic procedures (not supported in FORScan Lite yet)

• Run service procedures (not supported in FORScan Lite yet)

 

[Adieu]

Hate to sound stupid, but what is "forscan"?

Program for coding things with a cable and laptop to avoid paying stealership $100 a pop or so for switching hidden options

 

[Dutchie]

I’m definitely getting that setup and peak around to see what we can play with. Always remember to do a backup of your existing settings prior to changing anything.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Mike, not stupid at all. I’m actually new on this forum and had no idea either. But I do believe the ForScan thread is now a sticky or a pinned thread now..on my Tapatalk app, it’s literally at the very top of my threads list all the time now. Which I like because I can constantly refer to it and see if anyone has discovered any new tweaks.


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[chuck s]

Not sure what changes you can make to your Type 1 display as I have the Type 2 with the information screen to the far left and a big speedo in the center. I lose the tach display there when I display other data, pretty sure the tach is always present on the Type 1.

Ya need the Forscan software and advanced license (free download from them) and an interface between your PC laptop and the OBD2 port under the dash. Mine is wired and was ~$25 on Amazon.

Tread lightly with any changes and make backups of the truck's data.

-- Chuck

 

[HavasuMike]

I think I need one of them. The first time I saw my display, all it had was the speed. I thought "what a waste". I hope I can change that now.

 

[chuck s]

My type 2 display scrolls with the thumb toggle on the left side of the steering wheel. Gotta be 30 things it can display.

General Information on displays starts on page 90 of my 2017 owners manual, but who reads these.

-- Chuck

 

[Dutchie]

The Expedition is currently in the shop to have an Infotainment.com navigation system installed (currently has a 4" screen). As soon as it comes back I'll dive right in and post my findings in the sticky for the type 1 display.

 

[AllBoostNoEco]

The Expedition is currently in the shop to have an Infotainment.com navigation system installed (currently has a 4" screen). As soon as it comes back I'll dive right in and post my findings in the sticky for the type 1 display.

Check out the Explorer spreadsheets for FORScan floating around for sure. They break out changes based on the Type 1 and Type 2 displays specifically, which should make it easier.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I had not heard about the FORScan software before, it sounds very interesting, the thing that has me worried is that you need an adapter cable (USB to OBDB2) and the FORScan WEB site claims that 80% of adapters are clones and dont work properly. They don't seem to list what adapters do work, can anyone recommend an adapter that they bought that works with this software? I would hate to bugger anything up because I had bought a defective adapter (not to mention wasting my time and money!).

Gary

 

[chuck s]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...etailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=pda0fc-20

That's a link to the one I've been using with a laptop running Windows 10.\

-- Chuck

 

[Gary Waugh]

Thanks Chuck, I just ordered the same unit. I am running windows 10 so hopefully all will be good!!

Gary

 

[chuck s]

I was disappointed Ford did not include DRLs on a new truck. Heck many (most?) cars have had them since 2006 or so. All my other cars have them.

Easy peasy activation of the Fogs as DRLs. They revert to fog status when the headlights are on (my control is set to Auto) and react to the headlight switch at that point. They activate the annoying, giant fog light indicator on the instrument display so I disabled that in Forscan as well but left the smaller headlight indicator alone. Little orange fog indicator at the headlight switch glows when either the DRLs or fogs are on.

Just for grins I added the Engine Hour display. This starts from zero when activated though. Surprising amount of idle time for me. No doubt those remote starts ain't helping.

The software is easy. Just pay attention to what you're changing. Best practice is to change one (1) item at a time, confirm it's working, and then progress.

-- Chuck

 

[Regan DeMello]

Can anyone tell me how to change the display to go straight to a certain tab on the display? Every time I start the Expy it goes straight to the towing status tab. I’d like to start it in My View. Can’t find anything online


2018 Expedition Limited
Special Edition Package
301A
Heavy tow
Cargo package