Auto Headlight setting has headlights on during day almost all the time

[Deleted member 1634]

Except that the research shows that the real danger is head-on collisions, and for various reasons the other lights are less important. (E.g., the speed differential is lower when overtaking, unless someone is braking or stopped--but then there are brake lights.) There's a difference between "I want this thing" and "this thing is actually necessary for safety", and if you're cursing about how hard it is to see someone it's probably the former rather than the latter...because you can see them well enough to be annoyed by them.


They should either be connected to auto headlights as they are in the ranger, or the dash shouldn't light up when the lights are off. The real issue here is brightly lit dashboards, IMO.

You and I have argued about this before. You think I'm an unsafe moron with no regard for others, and I think you're stubborn. There's no point in hashing it all out again.

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[RANGER_MARC]

Are you confusing the DRL's with the headlights? The DRL's are white as opposed to the amber parking lights. My truck is always in the auto setting as it turns on the headlights for dusk type conditions and when the windshield wipers are on. Pretty much when I would switch manually.

Same here: I use the auto headlights function whenever I drive my truck, just like the auto wipers function whenever it looks like rain, leaves me free to focus on driving--and listening to music!

 

[Gizmokid2005]

That's exactly my argument against DRLs. If it's poor enough visibility that people need to have their headlights on to be seen properly (which is the point of DRLs), then they should have all their lights on to really be seen properly from all angles. DRLs also give people a false sense of safety and lighting. I can't tell you how many times I've come up on somebody in the twilight hours, or even after dark, with just their DRLs on lighting their way. Luckily a lot of vehicles nowadays have rear reflectors, so I'm usually able to kind of see where they are.

So either we have to change it so DRLs include every light on the vehicle, or we need to better train driver's on how to properly use their lights. And since people seem to be too stupid to understand the latter, I guess it's another case of designing and engineering for the stupidest person.

I'm with you on this. This wasn't really a problem in Michigan, but it's just such a huge problem in California. People whose dash lights are on (because they always are) and then have just dim DRLs on, driving around like nothing is wrong and you can't see them from behind. Much less if you're on a road that has 2 lanes each direction and are going to pass to only have a car that is barely crawling along with no rear lights on, that's a massive accident waiting to happen. Especially when they're merging onto the highway at night with no turn signal and no regard for anyone else. Lights make a massive difference regardless of front, rear, or side. It doesn't matter how alert you are, if a car is blacked out from the rear at night, it's a huge safety issue that needs to be addressed.

IMO - cars with DRL either need to *also* have auto-lights going when DRLs are enabled, or turn them off when it gets dark out so people are forced to use their lights. There's no reason for the current setup other than greed.

 

[gfitzge2]

Yes, it can be changed to just the front turn lamps without the low beam in FORscan.

With forscan you can also include the marker lights to operate with the DRLs.

Daytime running includes park lights Enabled 12/27/19

BCM - 726-41-02 xxx0 xxxx xxxx


I did this one so my Raptor style grill lights will be on in the daytime.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

With forscan you can also include the marker lights to operate with the DRLs.

Daytime running includes park lights Enabled 12/27/19

BCM - 726-41-02 xxx0 xxxx xxxx


I did this one so my Raptor style grill lights will be on in the daytime.

This actually might be the thing that pushes me over the edge to get Forscan. Even though I'm terrified of using it and screwing something up. haha

 

[RedlandRanger]

This actually might be the thing that pushes me over the edge to get Forscan. Even though I'm terrified of using it and screwing something up. haha

Honestly, as long as you back up your original settings before you change anything, it is really pretty painless. If you mess something up, you just restore the original and you are good to go.

 

[DHMag]

Honestly, as long as you back up your original settings before you change anything, it is really pretty painless. If you mess something up, you just restore the original and you are good to go.

I was nervous at first but having back up copies of the original files is the key. I had made a mistake on a change which caused some issues. Reloaded the original file and all was good.

 

[gfitzge2]

This actually might be the thing that pushes me over the edge to get Forscan. Even though I'm terrified of using it and screwing something up. haha

I was the same way. Especially because it is Russian software and I was leery of viruses or other malware. I followed Forscan users in the Focus RS forums for a long time and then here on this one. No one reported those kinds of issues. No one made their vehicle a brick!! So I took the plunge. I am happy with the outcome. Like RedlandRanger said, make a backup just in case. Also get the latest version because some (not all) of the options are just an enable/disable choice and you don't always have to key in Hex code.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Honestly, as long as you back up your original settings before you change anything, it is really pretty painless. If you mess something up, you just restore the original and you are good to go.

I was nervous at first but having back up copies of the original files is the key. I had made a mistake on a change which caused some issues. Reloaded the original file and all was good.

I was the same way. Especially because it is Russian software and I was leery of viruses or other malware. I followed Forscan users in the Focus RS forums for a long time and then here on this one. No one reported those kinds of issues. No one made their vehicle a brick!! So I took the plunge. I am happy with the outcome. Like RedlandRanger said, make a backup just in case. Also get the latest version because some (not all) of the options are just an enable/disable choice and you don't always have to key in Hex code.

Is there any sort of warranty or service issues with doing this type of stuff? Maybe not with just changing DRL function, but what about with other things people are doing?

 

[gfitzge2]

Is there any sort of warranty or service issues with doing this type of stuff? Maybe not with just changing DRL function, but what about with other things people are doing?

That's a good question. Some people argue that the law requires the car company prove that any mod you made caused the issue you are claiming. But they have lawyers on staff and can definitely out spend you in legal costs. My dealers service writer is hyper about this. When I upgraded from 265/65 tires to 265/70, I asked him if they could re calibrate the speedometer. His answer was "Sure if yo want to void the warranty". I pointed out that they sell lift kits and bigger tires at their dealership and that one tire size upgrade is not like making it a Monster truck. He doesn't seem to realize that there are other dealers in town that would be happy to have my purchasing and service business.

My guess is there is probably some risk. I feel pretty sure that Ford is not going to condone Forscan changes. I decided to take some risk because I do not think these minor changes will cause any issues that require warranted work.

 

[DHMag]

With forscan you can also include the marker lights to operate with the DRLs.

Daytime running includes park lights Enabled 12/27/19

BCM - 726-41-02 xxx0 xxxx xxxx


I did this one so my Raptor style grill lights will be on in the daytime.

Does this also light the tails ?

 

[gfitzge2]

Does this also light the tails ?

Yes

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