2014. DRL or no DRL ???

[Easy Rider]

I have a US model, 2014 Fusion Hybrid, Titanium.

 

My dealer told me today that it does not have the DRL feature available to activate, based supposedly on plugging in the "computer" and not seeing the option present.

 

Has anyone else with a similar '14 model had their DRLs turned on ??

 

I suspect that the translation of what the SA said is:

It's Saturday. Neither of our "electronic specialists" are working today and the help lines aren't available either.

Nobody here really knows how to do that so we need you to bring it back during the week.

 

I suspect that they aren't really telling me the straight story because he said something about "IF you can find proof that it HAS that feature......."

WHAT ? REALLY ??

 

 

[md13ffhguy]

You probably know this has been covered here a lot. I believe that the bottom line is that while the 2013-14 cars are pre-configured with the capability to support DRLs, they are not turned on by default, and Ford does not officially support turning them on. Some dealers will make an accommodation and do it for you, while it seems that most will not. Not sure if anyone has posted about a dealer in your area that has done it. You might try reading through this thread (could take a while!): http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5650-daytime-running-lights

[Ram]

Had mine turned on it cost 62$ at the dealership service dept.

[Easy Rider]

Had mine turned on it cost 62$ at the dealership service dept.

Thank you.

That saved me a LOT of searching.

[Sleddog]

While I have a 13, I have friends with 14's. Maybe we need to start of list of dealer that are willing to do so. Here's 2;

 

Mullinax Ford, New Symrna Beach Florida - No for model year 13 and 14. Not that they are unwilling to do it, they do not have the technical ability to check their configuration software version or keep it up to date.

 

Kelly Ford, Melbourne Florida - Yes. For both years

Edited September 14, 2014 by Sleddog

[Easy Rider]

 

Kelly Ford, Melbourne Florida - Yes. For both years

Excellent.

I'm going to give the Ocala dealer another chance in a couple of weeks and will post the results.

[murphy]

Excellent.

I'm going to give the Ocala dealer another chance in a couple of weeks and will post the results.

Someone, I can't remember who, posted the following instructions. I have no idea if they are correct. My dealer wouldn't even consider going against Ford's wishes.

 

When accessing the 'programmable parameters' wthin the BCM there is a line for 'daytime running lights', but it is locked out on this screen. Apparently if you try to activate them here then all sorts of other things get changed. The way to get them turned on is to highlight the DRL title line and click on that. There will then be a secondary screen with a drop down menu available to turn on the DRLs.

[Easy Rider]

My dealer wouldn't even consider going against Ford's wishes.

 

I wonder what they would say if you moved to Canada and took your US Fusion with you ?

I believe that DRL is still required on new vehicles north of the border.

 

Their "position" on this is just plain stupid.

 

The rule change in the US changed if from "required" to "not required".

"not required" does not mean "now allowed" or even "not recommended".

 

I understand that the dealers might charge for their time but it is MY car and I should be able to activate the feature if I want to.

[murphy]

It may be the fact that a feature that you didn't pay for is being activated. Fleet cars come with DRLs activated.

[jimfish]

My SM turned mine on after I told him I was driving on a local road that required headlights on for safety. I didn't demand just asked if they would do it.

[talmy]

SM here turned it on with no hassle or charge.

[Graven]

Took my 2014 back to my dealer (Northside Ford Sa,Tx) at first said they didn't think it could be done. I told them they said the same thing 2 yrs ago when I brought in my 2011 F150. They activated both vehicle DRL's.?

[Short Fuse 14]

I am going directly to my dealer to have this DONE! My insurance Co. asks; so discount.

[Easy Rider]

Finally got mine in and of course they were initially ignorant of if, or how, to do it.

After they found out how, they were going to charge me for the "work".

I said I would be discussing that with the service manager when I came to pick it up.

Was pleased to find that the charge had been waived.

[2014FordFusionSE]

Sunnyvale Ford enabled them upon request at my first free service (oil change.)

No questions asked and no charge.

[machoman1337]

Canadian-spec cars must have DRLs forced on. US and Canadian Fusions are exactly the same except for the speedometer, so all US Fusions have to have DRLs whether they're on or not. I believe digital gauges can be flipped between imperial and metric by the user, but I haven't tried it.

 

The DRL law in Canada is so strict that if you want to import a US-spec car and register it in Canada, you need to visit a dealer or mechanic who can disable the ability to turn off the DRLs, which costs time and money. I always suspected this is a collusion between dealers/mechanics and the government to get more cash... it would make more sense to simply fine anyone driving with Canadian plates and with DRLs turned off.

 

The scamming doesn't just stop at DRLs... bringing in a car originally registered in the states or even another province requires you to pay $100+ for a safety/emissions inspection. No exceptions, even if the car is very new, even if it was manufactured in Canada... I went through this at a Ford dealer and the inspection was so quick, I swear they probably just checked all the boxes without actually looking at the car and then pocketed the cash.

 

Enough ranting, glad you guys are able to get DRLs enabled at no charge.

[Waldo]

Canadian-spec cars must have DRLs forced on. US and Canadian Fusions are exactly the same except for the speedometer, so all US Fusions have to have DRLs whether they're on or not. I believe digital gauges can be flipped between imperial and metric by the user, but I haven't tried it.

 

The DRL law in Canada is so strict that if you want to import a US-spec car and register it in Canada, you need to visit a dealer or mechanic who can disable the ability to turn off the DRLs, which costs time and money. I always suspected this is a collusion between dealers/mechanics and the government to get more cash... it would make more sense to simply fine anyone driving with Canadian plates and with DRLs turned off.

 

The scamming doesn't just stop at DRLs... bringing in a car originally registered in the states or even another province requires you to pay $100+ for a safety/emissions inspection. No exceptions, even if the car is very new, even if it was manufactured in Canada... I went through this at a Ford dealer and the inspection was so quick, I swear they probably just checked all the boxes without actually looking at the car and then pocketed the cash.

 

Enough ranting, glad you guys are able to get DRLs enabled at no charge.

 

Here in Ontario you have to pay for the safety/emissions inspection anytime you sell a car, doesn't matter if it's from somewhere else or not. If you want to sell it yourself, you even have to pay for the "Used Vehicle Information Package", which is straight cash into the government's pocket.

 

But there's no "collusion" on the DRLs, there's nothing to say you have to have a dealer/mechanic do it. When I imported my Miata, I just bought the relay, plugged it in myself, and instant legal DRL! BTW back when I did that, the law said I had to replace both the bumpers, that cost me over $500! Now at least we don't have to do that anymore, so at least things are getting easier, not worse.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Waldo

[corncobs]

A little off topic but why did you have to replace the bumpers?

[Waldo]

A little off topic but why did you have to replace the bumpers?

 

Canadian bumper laws are/were different than US bumper laws (5mph vs 2.5mph or something like that). Most cars came from the factory with the same parts that would meet both regulations, but some oddball cars like the Miata didn't. They've finally come to their senses and decided it's not worth the trouble.