For 2013 Ford Focus ST owners, the desire to personalize and optimize their vehicle is often a driving force. One popular avenue for customization is upgrading the in-car entertainment system. While enhancing your audio experience with an aftermarket radio is a great step, maintaining access to your car’s diagnostic data and unlocking hidden features remains crucial. This is where FORScan, a powerful software tool, comes into play, especially when paired with a Bluetooth OBDII adapter.
FORScan is an invaluable tool for Ford enthusiasts, offering capabilities far beyond basic OBDII scanners. It allows you to delve deep into your car’s modules and customize various settings. To harness this power, you’ll need a laptop with FORScan installed and a compatible OBD2 adapter. Bluetooth OBDII adapters offer the convenience of wireless connectivity, making the process even smoother.
Let’s walk through the initial setup and explore some popular modifications you can perform on your 2013 Ford Focus ST using FORScan.
First, ensure your Bluetooth OBDII adapter is plugged into your Ford Focus ST’s OBDII port and paired with your laptop.
-
Open the FORScan software on your laptop and click the “connect” icon (plug symbol) to establish a connection with your vehicle. If you’re a first-time user, you might need to obtain a free extended license from the FORScan website for full functionality.
-
A pop-up window will appear; click “Yes” to proceed with the vehicle connection.
-
FORScan will then prompt you to create a new vehicle profile. It’s highly recommended to do this and save a backup of your original vehicle configuration to your hard drive. This backup can be a lifesaver if you ever need to revert to the original settings.
-
Once the profile is created, FORScan will load all the control modules in your 2013 Ford Focus ST. From this point, you can access a wide range of customizable features. Let’s focus on two popular modifications within the BdyCM (Body Control Module) – Bambi Mode and Global Windows – features that enhance both safety and convenience, even with an upgraded aftermarket radio and Bluetooth OBDII setup.
To access these features, navigate to the BdyCM module. In FORScan, modules are typically listed with a chip icon.
Scroll through the list of modules until you find “BdyCM (main)” and click on it. Then, click the “play” button to initiate module configuration. You might see a warning message; click “Yes” and follow any on-screen instructions.
Once inside the BdyCM configuration, set the mode to “Engineering 1.”
Now, let’s enable Bambi Mode, which allows your fog lights to remain on when high beams are activated, improving visibility. Scroll down and locate “Foglight function,” double-click it, and set the value to “foglamp without restrictions.”
Click the checkmark to confirm the change. With Engineering Mode enabled, Bambi Mode is now active on your 2013 Ford Focus ST.
Next, let’s enable Global Windows, a convenience feature that allows you to open and close all windows simultaneously using your key fob. Find “Global Open/Close” in the BdyCM settings and configure it as shown:
Click the checkmark to save this setting as well. To finalize these changes, click “Write” to write the new configuration to the BdyCM (main), confirm the changes when prompted, and then click the “stop” button.
Beyond Bambi Mode and Global Windows, the BdyCM module offers further customization options. For instance, you can configure your headlight type:
Set this to match your headlight setup. Stock headlights are typically “unconfigured” or “09.”
You can also adjust tire sizes for speedometer accuracy:
Configure this setting to the closest tire size you are currently using for accurate speedometer readings.
Battery type configuration is also available for optimal charging:
Set this to match your battery type for proper charging and battery longevity.
For those who have removed the Active Grill Shutters (AGS) on their stock 2013 Ford Focus ST, FORScan can disable the associated error codes:
Set the Active Grill Shutter PID as shown to eliminate any error codes.
FORScan, in conjunction with a Bluetooth OBDII adapter, empowers you to take control of your 2013 Ford Focus ST’s features and settings, regardless of whether you’ve upgraded to an aftermarket radio. Explore the various modules and discover the full potential of your vehicle customization.
