TheWizard

IDS = Integrated Diagnostic System. It is a software system designed to work with Ford's Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Vehicle Measurement Module (VMM) - proprietary tools available to Ford dealers. So no, you can't do it yourself.

Isn't the car under warranty still? If so, why do it yourself? Even if it isn't under warranty, you might want to reconsider doing it yourself. Here is how it works: As you can see, if it turns out to be something other than the somewhat simple momentary switches in the multifunction lever, you could get into a whole series of computerized modules. However, replacing the multifunction switch is relatively simple compared to older cars - you don't have to pull the steering wheel or any harness running down the column. If you need it, I can get you the pin positions in the connector so that you can test continuity for the momentary switches for the signals.

The new model lights from daytimebrightlites.com are designed primarily as DRLs. They come on with the ignition regardless of headlight/parking light usage (although they dim when the other lights are on so as not to be overwhelmingly bright at night).

Check the card for its type. 32GB SD cards can be either SDHC (High Capacity) or SDXC (eXtended Capacity). In theory, a system should be able to support both specifications but in practice many systems will work with HC cards but not with XC cards. If it is a compatibility issue, you can buy a USB SDXC card reader for less than $10, insert the card and plug it into the USB port. BTW, if you did get an SDXC card, it would formatted by default to exFAT rather than FAT32. You wouldn't notice the difference on a Windows machine but the format is different enough that MFT won't read it. So if you have an SDXC card you still might be able to use it if you reformat.

Interesting. And certainly possible although I'm not sure how good the satellite reception would be from under the dash. But Progressive at least specifically disclaims having any kind of GPS electronics in their "Snapshot" device.

I don't think you can get location information through the OBD II port. Certainly there is no position information if the car isn't equipped with factory navigation and I don't think the navigation system provides that information through the OBD II port. Even GM's OnStar system can only provide location by triangulation using the cellular signal and that also doesn't get stored or provided through the diagnostic port. Police investigators have to remove the data module after an airbag deployment in order to get terminal speed, acceleration/decelleration, braking force and similar information - they can't just plug in a reader to get that data. Not that a healthy dose of caution isn't warranted, just that location information isn't currently available through the diagnostics port.

It has no way of knowing if you're speeding unless you go fast enough to be clearly speeding on any road (e.g. more than 80 mph). That's because it has no way of knowing the speed limit of the road you're on. My understanding is that they use: - mileage to determine how much you drive - the more you drive the more likely you are to be involved in a crash. - the time of day you drive - driving at rush hour is more perilous than during other times of day although 1:00-2:00 in the morning can also be a problem unless you work the night shift. - acceleration and braking force - repeated heavy acceleration and/or braking indicates someone who drives aggressively.

The question was looking for confirmation of the date (since there was possibly a change due to the necessity to increase the initial order size) and how to know if a particular order made the first 100 cutoff (something that was never discussed). Sorry if that may have seemed redundant to you.

So when will you be receiving (and shipping) the first 100 pre-orders, Dan? And how can I find out if my order made the initial cut?

I use this pop-up trash bin that fastens to the carpet with vecro: (8" tall by 6.5" diameter) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQWLE6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Also available in a larger size: (13" tall by 9.5" diameter) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FGLQBG/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wonder if that option can be activated on a US model that doesn't come with factory DRLs?

I might be. Which DRLs are they - the original DaytimeBrightLights ones? I'm looking for something bright for the front and I'm not sure that the turn signal function of the new version is what I want.

This is starting to remind me of an old joke... Three women are sitting at a bar discussing life and the talk turns to their relationships. One says "my lover is an athlete - he's very strong and forceful in bed." The second says "my lover is an artist - he's very sensitive and gentle in bed". The third is just staring into her drink. Finally she says "my lover sells Apple equipment - he just sits on the edge of the bed and tells me how great it will be when I finally get it" I am waiting with baited breath for my pre-order as well.

Yup, you're right, the price is quite high. It's more than twice what I paid for basically the same device for my Mustang (except that one was made by PAC). "She who must be obeyed" loved the utility so much that there was no question we would be getting one for the Edge despite the cost. If the wife isn't happy, nobody is happy.

Thank you for that link! That's tremendously helpful. However, I doubt I'll be able to answer your question about nav and video because I have no plans to ever have video playing while moving. Although I suppose I could try it out in a parking lot someplace just to see if it works. I'll let you know. The MFT LockPick works with most '13 Ford models with MyFordTouch including the Fusion as well as '11-'13 Explorer and Edge.

I have received a MyFordTouch LockPick for our '13 Edge Limited so that my wife can program the navigation (from the passenger's seat) while we're in motion. It also gives the capability to add a front camera which she thinks will be handy in some parking situations. I have the factory service manual but it is less than helpful describing how to pull out the head unit. The two silver side trim pieces on the center stack must be removed followed by the console panel and then the HU itself. The Lock Pick then plugs into the back of the HU. The trim pieces are attached with clips but there is no indication of what direction to pull. Should I pry them off upwards or sideways? Start at the top or near the console box? I don't want to break the clips so any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I got both the Lloyd's and the Nifty mats so that I could have nice ones for day-to-day and heavy duty for those times when I expect mud and such. The Lloyd's mats fit perfectly - better than Ford OEM. The Nifty mats got returned because they don't fit particularly well and they also have hundreds of very sharp carpet gripper point on the back that make them a pain (literally) to swap in and out. CarID.com has the Lloyd's mats in a wider selection of colors than most other sites. They have ebony which is an almost exact match for the charcoal (nearly black) interior and smoke which is a little darker than the factory color in the stone interior (but looks much better than either black or gray).

My dealer wouldn't take my business card for X-plan even though I already bought a Mustang from them two years ago on X-plan. I had to submit a pay stub to prove my employment. Of course, anyone who owns Ford stock or members of the Mustang Club of America ($50 membership fee) are also eligible.

SiriusXM satellite radio is currently not available in Hawaii or Alaska. They had applied for terrestrial repeaters to provide the service there but local traditional radio operators have fought that application for years. They finally got approval to operate limited 2000 watt repeaters in Honolulu but according to their website they are not yet operational.

Sorry, I never said it was "my" company nor that it was an IT company. The company I work for owns and/or operates about 220 gas stations and convenience stores. I would seriously consider meeting you at River City because it's a great place to spend some time except that your attitude in other posts makes me less inclined to think you might be able to carry on a polite (or even interesting) conversation - so I'll pass on the invitation, thank you. But please enjoy your visit to our fair city.

Gee, it's a real shame that I apparently don't adapt well to technology despite being the IT Director for a billion dollar company. I guess I should just quit my job because new technology is obviously beyond my comprehension. In my work, we never spend money on technology unless it improves the functioning of our business. I bought the Edge despite the foolish electronics because of other factors such as the size, comfort, performance, mileage, and looks. If I could have had all the other features I wanted without the MFT system I certainly would have done that. I'm glad you can set your temperature and fan speed in your driveway so that you never have to change them while moving even if weather conditions change. And I guess you never need to use the heated seats. Certainly it's really convenient for you that you have no need for gauges on your dash. To each his own I guess. You may want to look into HAM radio a little more because the technology is quite current and advanced including even packet data transmission (the stuff the Internet runs on)... allowing amateur radio operators to support authorities during emergencies such as Hurricane Sandy. When the next tornado or hurricane comes through Florida and your cell phone doesn't work, you may be very thankful for the services of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) volunteers providing long distance communications to first responders and other authorities. Don't mock something you know nothing about.

My objection to MFT is not whether it works or not - it's the whole concept. When I am driving a vehicle I want controls and instrumentation that help me not distract me. What is wrong with REAL gauges... why do I have to give up proper instrumentation to have stupid menus next to the speedometer? What is wrong with REAL buttons... why do I have to take my eyes off the road to adjust basic things like climate control or audio controls? Oh sure, I can use voice commands for some of those things except that SYNC is actually an acronym for "Seriously You'll Never Control" and it seems designed specifically for planned disobedience. My '11 Mustang has the electronics package with navigation and it is lightyears ahead of the Edge in usability. The SYNC system still doesn't work very well but I don't need it. I have real gauges (well semi-real... they don't move much) between a real tach and speedo and there are real buttons and knobs on the center stack for audio and climate control. I can adjust them by touch without having to look at what I'm touching. And it's not just MFT. Who's brilliant idea was it to replace the mechanical turn signal switch that has worked for 100 years with some electronic thing? That's Ford's answer to the question nobody asked. They seem to want to impress this brain-dead texting generation with "gee whiz" electronics that add nothing to the job at hand... driving the vehicle. </rant> Oh BTW, I am an amateur (HAM) radio operator and one thing I can tell you is that our equipment is designed for function and never just technolgy merely for the sake of technology.

South Carolina allows 27% tint on side and rear windows. That means that the window must allow at least 27% of the light to pass through. So the lower the number, the darker the tint ("limo" tint is usually 5%). However, I think you'll find that the factory "privacy glass" tint on the rear windows is already darker than that... I don't know how they get away with that. I put slightly darker than legal 25% tint on the driver's and passenger's windows but they still look lighter than the rear windows - it appears the factory tint is something like 20%. Another option similar to SunTek is 3M "Ceramic" or "Crystaline" films which come with lifetime warranties and block about 60% of the heat coming into your car.

Uhhh... because it's MFT? I have only had mine for a month and every day I learn to hate MFT even more. An aftermarket solution couldn't help but be better when it arrives.

It's really no different than dealers selling the vehicle at different prices in the first place. Ford has a suggested retail price but specifying that dealers could not sell at different prices would be illegal price fixing. Those warranties are mostly profit so dealers have a lot of margin to play with if they want to sell for less than the suggested retail price. Unfortunately, in Florida there is a situation where the state Office of Insurance Regulation used to stipulate that extended warranties were actually insurance and therefore could not have negotiated pricing. That regulation was repealed almost two years ago but dealers still use it as an excuse to force full retail pricing on their customers. Even Ford is in on it as they will refuse to register or honor an extended warranty sold to a Florida resident from an out of state dealer.