Newby With Questions(and Pics) - Interior Lights (Again!)/Phone Mounts / BT

[nottmbantam]

Hello All,

I joined the forum some ago when I was then thinking of an Expedition. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've just acquired one. I'm a Brit, working here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so there are a lot of US vehicles here. The truck I've bought is a 2012 EL XLT Edition, white, 4x4. With 100k miles on the clock, drives beautifully. Running on 20" wheels, which I think look great, a kind of dark grey, offsets the white bodywork really well.


Just a couple of quick questions:


Interior Lights:
Anyway, I know the question has been asked before, I've searched a little but the only answer seems to be installing a kind of bypass switch. The interior lights come when I'm driving. Not so bad in the daytime, but I don't like it at night. I've managed to switch off the cargo and middle row light lights by using the dimmer switch for the display, but the lights just above the driver / passenger seats remain on.

Mobile Phone Mount.
Simple dilemma - where do I mount the mobile phone? I have an iPhone 6s Plus. I think the phone might be too heavy for windscreen mounts, the top of the dash with shallow trays is ribbed , so cannot mount anything there. I have the iRing type system on my phone, which some with a little hook to stick to the dash, but cant see where I cold mount that without it obscuring the audio controls. Anyone any good working ideas?

Connecting Phone.
I did try briefly to pair the iPhone with the car, unsuccessfully, any good tips for a quick and easy way to connect via Bluetooth?

Unfortunately, the car didn't come with a User Manual.


Anyway, other than that, the truck is great so far, looking forward to some adventures. Here's a few pics.

 

[Bedrck47]

You can download a copy of the owners manual at

owner.ford.com

 

[Bedrck47]

When the interior lights come on while driving are you getting a door ajar warning It could be a bad door switch causing this

 

[nottmbantam]

The interior lights come on automatically as soon as the engine starts. I've managed to turn off the lights for middle row and cargo area, but the two above driver / passenger remain on . The wing mirrors also have lights, they are also on. They turn off automatically after about 10 mins once the engine is off.

The dimmer switch can turn off the middle / back lights, but not the front lights. I'm just looking through the online Owners Manuals now.... Cheers.

Edited to add: Sorted out the interior lights now. it was a case of playing with the dimmer switch, it has different modes with the headlight on / off. After a bit of toggle through, it's now working as required.Comes on when the door opens, and turns off after a few seconds.

Anyone any ideas on mobile phone mounts? Have used Sync to pair the phone and it will now stream music through the car system. Just need something to mount when using a sat nav app on the phone. Thanks.

 

[nottmbantam]

Right, I think I've sorted out a decent phone mount.

Next on the agenda is to sort out the TPMS. It literally came on about annhour after I took possession of the truck. Will try adding more air. Have searched for how to re-set the TPMS system without a tool. Failing all that, might be a case of replacing the sensors. Is there a way to test which one of the four sensors it might be? Cheers.

 

[1oldtimer]

I use a cup holder mount for my cell phone. I didn't want anything permanent or sticky shit on my dash. And damn sure don't want it in my windshield. You can pick one up at most wally worlds. $30 or so

 

[1ATony]

Thanks for joining

Tony

 

[GAINMOB]

welcome to the site

 

[nottmbantam]

Thanks for joining

Tony

welcome to the site

Thank you both.

The TPMS light is next to sort out. Anyone know if there are tyre pressure stickers somewhere on the truck. Just wanted to see what the standard pressure are. Having said that, it's rolling on 20" wheels so the pressures for that would be different.

 

[GAINMOB]

should be 35-52 psi

 

[nottmbantam]

Thank you - will top up with air and hopefully that should get rid of the pesky light.

 

[nottmbantam]

In terms of phone mounts, I came across this little device. It's a magnet type holder, comes with self adhesive mount, attach it to the console and then attach one of the supplied steel discs to your phone / phone case. The holder is a swivel ball type, so can adjust the angles, dependant where you've mounted it onto your console.

With the one I bought, the discs to stick onto the phone are different sizes, I chose the largest, as the holder was going to have to support an iPhone 6S. Holds it really well either portrait or in landscape mode.

When the phone isnt attached, it's quite unobstrusive, which is why I liked it. Just thought I'd share it with youall. Cheers.

 

[poorboy1964]

I like it, do you feel the magnet is strong enough to hold on in an off road situation?

 

[nottmbantam]

I like it, do you feel the magnet is strong enough to hold on in an off road situation?

The magnet holding the phone is quite strong, it takes a little effort to disconnect it, which is re-assuring. As with anything this is self - adhesive, the holder is only as strong as the sticky stuff holding it on.

Not been off road in it yet, but would say that the road surfaces in Riyadh are so poor, it's just like driving off road anyway!

 

[Mike White]

Hahaha I like seeing you answer your own questions, Brit.
Seriously, I like who ever comes up with solution (even your own), and it's posted for others to read.

Here's something you might consider if your tires recommend PSI is different from your vehicles predetermined PSI...you can change the setting (as easy as setting up new fobs)

https://tpmsdirect.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/how-to-reset-ford-tpms-sensors/

Have fun with your new to you purchase.

 

[nottmbantam]

Hahaha I like seeing you answer your own questions, Brit.
Seriously, I like who ever comes up with solution (even your own), and it's posted for others to read.

Here's something you might consider if your tires recommend PSI is different from your vehicles predetermined PSI...you can change the setting (as easy as setting up new fobs)

https://tpmsdirect.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/how-to-reset-ford-tpms-sensors/

Have fun with your new to you purchase.