Traffic Visibility and Switching from Day Mode to Night Mode

[dmt1971]

Not sure if anyone else has asked about this. I find that the traffic in the navigation map is hard to see (especially the green lines are washed out by freeway lines). They are much easier to see when navigation is in night mode with the black background. Is there a way to manually put the navigation map in night mode? I have done this in other cars but not yet figured out how to do it with this car.

 

Also, can our rep Kim chime in on this? Please suggest to Ford that the traffic lines should be made thicker to be more visible.

 

Thanks

 

David

[tr7driver]

I haven't tried this, but will it switch if you turn the headlights on?

[Waldo]

It should be under the SETTINGS - DISPLAY menu.

[dmt1971]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Turning the lights on does not automatically switch it to night mode. It seems to be based on clock time.

 

I tried the display>settings and that just dimmed the display. Didn't turn the map black.

[hermans]

I depends on the amount of light. When I go through tunnels mine automatically turns to night mode in both cars.

[corncobs]

Try covering the light sensor on the dash that's probably what triggers the switch just like it turns on the headlights when they are on auto.

Edited March 13, 2014 by corncobs

[acdii]

You can switch it to night mode under the display settings. Normal setting is auto mode.

[FordIVTteam]

Not sure if anyone else has asked about this. I find that the traffic in the navigation map is hard to see (especially the green lines are washed out by freeway lines). They are much easier to see when navigation is in night mode with the black background. Is there a way to manually put the navigation map in night mode? I have done this in other cars but not yet figured out how to do it with this car.

 

Also, can our rep Kim chime in on this? Please suggest to Ford that the traffic lines should be made thicker to be more visible.

 

Thanks

 

David

 

Hi David,

 

You do have the option of adjusting the brightness by pressing the 2 gears > DISPLAY > NIGHT > then pressing + or -, which can be found on page 359 of your owner's manual: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/13fhyom3e.pdf

 

It sounds like you're speaking about the actual colors of the map changing (so the background is black, not gray). Although I don't believe there are any settings within the MyFord Touch system that will allow you to manually change this, I'd be happy to get some clarification on what triggers the switch. Please send me your VIN, current mileage, and best phone number in a PM. I'll do some digging. :)

 

Kim

[FordIVTteam]

Hey everyone,

 

I received clarification from our engineers. This is controlled by a SunLoad sensor in the middle of the dash toward the passenger side. It detects how much sun is present in order to determine which color strategy will work best for the navigation display. If you cover this sensor, it will switch the navigation screen to the black background. This is not recommended because it will affect the HVAC strategy as well as the automatic lamps. There are no settings to manually switch the navigation colors.

 

Thanks for posting the question; I got to learn something new! :)

 

Kim

[corncobs]

Hey everyone,

 

This is not recommended because it will affect the HVAC strategy as well as the automatic lamps.

 

Thanks for posting the question; I got to learn something new! :)

 

Kim

Well very interesting statement about the HVAC!

 

Maybe that's the reason I'm getting hit my cold air when driving with the sun hitting this sensor. Maybe the sensor thinks it's getting to warm because of the sun and starts cooling down the car. Maybe the temp setting is secondary.

[Riggo]

Is this the little bump in the middle of the dash? The placement of my inspection sticker almost covers it, I worried this could cause a problem.

[FordIVTteam]

Well very interesting statement about the HVAC!

 

Maybe that's the reason I'm getting hit my cold air when driving with the sun hitting this sensor. Maybe the sensor thinks it's getting to warm because of the sun and starts cooling down the car. Maybe the temp setting is secondary.

 

Is this the little bump in the middle of the dash? The placement of my inspection sticker almost covers it, I worried this could cause a problem.

 

I can't say for sure, since I'm only trained on SYNC, MyFord Touch, and navigation. I just happened to get a little extra information from our engineers, and decided to share. If you have any specific questions about your vehicle that are outside of my scope, feel free to send a PM to FordService (Ashley). I don't want to give you the incorrect information. :)

 

Kim

[acdii]

HVAC is tied in so it knows if it needs to provide more AC when under direct sunlight to avoid wide temp swings, and when its dark it knows it wont need to fight sunlight to maintain even temps.

[dmt1971]

Does anyone else agree that the traffic colors (especially green) are hard to see during the day? I like having traffic on the map but it is very hard to see . . .

[Riggo]

Does anyone else agree that the traffic colors (especially green) are hard to see during the day? I like having traffic on the map but it is very hard to see . . .

 

I do find it hard to see as well, unless i'm zoomed very far in. I'd like to see them do something like Google maps does with the traffic. Google maps is very easy to see, I usually just look on my phone rather than the MFT traffic because of this.

[FordIVTteam]

 

I do find it hard to see as well, unless i'm zoomed very far in. I'd like to see them do something like Google maps does with the traffic. Google maps is very easy to see, I usually just look on my phone rather than the MFT traffic because of this.

 

Hi Riggo,

 

I've documented dmt1971's feedback on my end, but I also want to suggest posting the suggestion here: http://social.ford.com/your-ideas/ This is where our product development team can get some insight and inspiration from current owners.

 

Kim

[acdii]

I found the Lincoln App for this, it shows construction and traffic on the phone too. Pretty neat.

[hybridbear]

HVAC is tied in so it knows if it needs to provide more AC when under direct sunlight to avoid wide temp swings, and when its dark it knows it wont need to fight sunlight to maintain even temps.

It's a little off topic here, but I've found that it's often a noticeable difference in air temp or fan speed even when driving on a partly cloudy day. When in the sun the HVAC blows harder and within seconds of a cloud providing shade the system lowers the fan speed or increases the air temp so that the cabin doesn't get too cold. The heat takes the opposite approach in the winter.

[acdii]

Smart HVAC. What else will they think of.