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Comments
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Apparently Ford finally figured out they got a winner on their hands. The Freestyle is such a great all round vehicle it just doesn't make sense to not promote it into one of their best sellers.
Sure the Edge has that gimmicky new wave look but it doesn't have three rows of seats. The Explorer and Expedition do but they are gas hungry, exspensive, and drive like trucks err I mean suv's.
What a great family vehicle the Freestyle is on all fronts.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060123/SUB/60120098/1003
There is little point in defeating the daytime/nightime logic of the autolamp system. If you absolutely must have your headlamps and tailamps on during the day, you can always just simply turn them on, can't you?
Karen in NC
As for how to make that happen, I am not sure.
PS: There may be some 3rd-party kits to convert over to the DTRL.
I suspect there'd be a way to re-wire it so that they would, though.
No, it would be all the outside lights as well. Just as it does so now at night.
"It's a proven method to improve safety..."
Dubious in my opinion... but to each his own.
You do realize of course that simply having your headlights on during the day is not the same as true DRL's.
If you want DRL's on your Freestyle then you can do as several have done over at myford500.com and ask your dealer to contact Ford engineering for the software codes that will "turn-on" the DRL feature. The dealer's service department must do the work. From what I understand it's easier to accomplish on a '06 than an '05, but can be done on both. Some dealer's may be more receptive to doing this than others. Those who have had it done say it cost only the labor charge to do.. about $75.00.
Welecome to the club. Let us know how you like things when your Freebie arrives and you get some miles on her.
Wow, hadn't even thought of the idea that they probably just have to change some codes in the software for the car to be enabled for DRL. I will inquire with my dealer about it since I have really noticed an increase in the people who just don't appear to see me, since switching to a vehicle without them. Lots of people pulling out in front of me and making rather risky left hand turns in front of me.
Thanks for pointing out something that I really should have thought of!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you're driving in their blind spot. DRL's aren't going to solve that problem.
Unless it's very overcast, there's really no reason drivers shouldn't be able to see you unless you're in their blind spot.
For very small vehicles (motorcycles), DRL's make a LOT of sense. Or in situations where it's fairly dark/overcast outside but the regular lights aren't on.
But if the lighting is good outside, DRL's really shouldn't make much difference at all, especially in a vehicle the size of the Freestyle.
Definitely good advice, though, about geting the dealer to modify the lights to allow DRL's. There's really not any real NEGATIVES about doing so, other than wearing out the bulbs sooner, and the extra drain on the alternator. Both of which shouldn't really be isues.
A) You can alternate/change/keep the brightness of the LCD Panel
C) Remember your information display, and radio display "dim" when in night-time illumination. Make sure when it's daylight, the "dim" mode is enough to make out the numbers/letters.
I make a very concerted effort not to drive in a person's blind spot and always do a shoulder check when I change lanes. I have not had someone cut me off by changing lanes. They are facing me and still do not see me, or somehow have a harder time judging my speed. I find, myself, to be better able to judge an oncoming vehicles' speed if their lights are on. I don't know why, and I'm not saying that I have ever had or come close to having an accident because of this. It just seems to be take a millisecond off the brains processing time, so that your reactions are better and safer.
To all who don't agree, fine.......I notice a distinct difference with this vehicle that doesn't have DRL than with the vehicle that I was driving a month ago (in all the same manners as this new one!!!! My driving style did not change overnight!!!)The only thing that did change was the vehicle. In fact they are the same color, so that cannot be the cause of the increased close calls. In my opinion, the reason is the lack of DTRL.
In the early 90's I worked at a courier service with 60+ active vehicles. In a move to reduce collisions we provided additional training to our drivers, re trained after incidents and re wired the vehicles so the headlights would come on when the vehicles were running. In less than two years we realized nearly a 15% decrease in the number of collisions within the fleet. Coupled with the additional training, having the headlights on increased the vehicles visibility and proved to be an effective approach to reduce collisions.
Classic mistake. Now you have no idea which of the two things caused the effect, nor can you estimate the percentage that each might (or might not be) contributing.
Note: only a "mistake" in the sense of statistical analysis.
Now that starts to make more sense. I didn't realize you were primarily talking about collisions on undivided roads, caused primarily by passing.
Here's the "why". It's easier to judge the speed of a vehicle if you pay attention to something on it that grows in size as the vehicle approaches, like the headlights.
The general rule of thumb is that if you can't see the vehicle/headlights/whaterver growing in size, then it's usually fair enough away to pass safely.
But, if you can see it growing in size fairly quickly, then it's too close to pass.
Having the headlights on makes it easier for a person to (subconciously, I'm sure) focus on that one aspect of the car, making it easier to judge speed . . even if they're not thinking about it.
True . . . though it's always *possible* (if not likely) that one aspect actually made things worse . . and you'll never know.
Not likely in this particular instance . . but certainly something to be aware of.
Independent of car purchase, the best thing you do for yourself is to be in places like these. You can get far more information than you could by reading reviews or Ford brochures. You may also save money with hints and tips, or avoid major pains from our experiences.
You'll find just about everything in just about every category:
In terms of Freebie experience, from newbie to seasoned.
Ford insiders and outsiders.
People who keep it stock, or those who made nice mods to them.
One of the most gratifying experiences here is that you'll get a comprehensive, sometimes overwhelming, response to your questions. What is can be absolutely sure is that your vehicle investment will be better protected with the best tool: knowledge.
I bought the "Figgie" Freebie, as some people here called me :surprise:, to replace my old 96 Contour who was in its last legs. Each time I saw the articles, I realized what a practical vehicle it is, and I still believe that. The first one I saw (NY Auto show, April 2004) really made me & wife fall in love with it, just like my Contour. (I didn't like the price...)
Our Blue Pearl Limited AWD now has 14K miles, and it's just as much of a joy as when I drove it for the first time. Unfortunately for me, I have the usual 50/50 split with my wife
I hated it when I found out 2 different "key scratch graffiti" souvenirs, and someone whacked the rear door. It looks like a full size truck did it, as the indentation is license plate high. Otherwise, its perfect.
Figgie Freebie - Look for Freestyle at Warnock's -
I love this vehicle.
Sam
Perhaps if we all make the suggestion, we'll show which is the best crossover out there... :shades:
Sam
Well, I *had* it done, so I know it can be done. Unfortunately, I can't tell you how they did it.
I do know that the cables come out from underneath the DVD player, and that they go above the headliner somehow.
I just got a Garmin 2720. Great unit. The advantages of a unit like this are that you can take it from one vehicle to another (even rentals), and also that you can pre-program your routes on the PC if you wish to do so. It's a LOT easier to pre-check a route if you've done it on the PC. You can then easily force the route to go a specific way, if it hasn't chosen the way you'd like to go.
You can do the same thing in the vehicle if you want, but it's a lot tougher to do . . whether you have a portable unit or the built-in unit.
They are especially valuable in the northern climes at dusk and dawn (usually rush hour here) before people put on their main headlights. The improved visibility on two lane roads is no comparison over non DRLs (when passing or pulling onto the road). This is especailly important with speed limits always being pushed and volume of traffic increasing.
I need to agree with Min1 on this one. Should be able to reprogram the DRLS I would think.
With all the gas I've wasted over the years cruising around lost, I probably could have paid for a couple of NAV systems by now.
Steve, Host
AAA maps and books, Trip-ticks (sp?), etc.
And improperly using it is a safety hazard, much like misusing a radio . . or even misusing the rearview mirror.
tidester, host
To be fair, at least SOME systems do use the space in other ways. Like, for displaying a lot more radio information (or especially Satellite radio info).
I'd still like to see one that lets you pick say six favorite XM or Sirius stations, and then constantly display what song/artist is playing on those stations on the large display. Then you could just push the button for that station, and listen when you wanted to.
My personal favorite is the large SUVs that put the video from backup cameras on the NAV screen when you switch into reverse.
However, I think I actually prefer the "beeping" backup sensor system on my FS SEL; I can know exactly how close I am, whereas a camera is open to some interpretation.
As mentioned in this thread, it can create a dangerous situation if you try to reprogram it while you're zooming down the highway so don't do that.