ForScan or FDRS — worth it? Coolest stuff you’ve unlocked?

[godnet23]

Hey all,
Thinking about diving into FordScan or FDRS, but man… some of the threads here feel like I need a mechanical engineering degree to follow ?
Is it worth the time and gear? What are the coolest features you’ve unlocked — hidden menus, light tweaks, better drive modes, that kinda stuff?
Looking for some beginner-friendly wins to see if it’s worth the plunge.

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[AliRafiee]

They are for different things.
here is 27 pages on Forscan
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/forscan-mme-spreadsheet.24701/

 

[garyd9]

You're comparing two very different beasts.

FORScan is something that can use a LOT of different (and inexpensive) OBDII readers to modify the parameters of the car. For the most part, it's just enabling and disabling things, or making minor tweaks to existing functionality. For example, I changed the PIN pad on the driver door to require a 7 digit pin instead of a 5 digit pin. I've also turned off some excessive chime noises from the car. It's not reprogramming the car, but just modifying the parameters that the firmware uses.

FDRS, on the other hand, is a tool used by Ford (and auto mechanics) to run diagnostics and actually change/reprogram the firmware in the car. I'm not sure if FDRS can be used for "tweaking" the installed firmware... However, FDRS requires a much more expensive J2534 interface (similar to the ODBII adapters, but hundreds of US dollars more.) FDRS is mostly used by people in this forum to just apply firmware updates/upgrades to the modules in their cars. For example, Ford might fix some bug in the car related to how the rear hatch opens. That updates a single module in the car, and the update _might_ get pushed to your car over the air (OTA.) It also might not. However, it usually will be available for manually installing via FDRS.


For just tweaking, you'd be great with just FORScan and a decent OBDII reader/scanner.

 

[garyd9]

However, it usually will be available for manually installing via FDRS.

Quoting myself to point out that it would be perfectly reasonable to question the sanity of _many_ members of this forum (myself included) that have spent $600-$800 (USD) on a mongoose cable and power supply setup just to install the latest module firmware.

 

[godnet23]

They are for different things.
here is 27 pages on Forscan
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/forscan-mme-spreadsheet.24701/

Yep, I saw this already, but it doesn't tell me much. What I am asking for is, from your experience, what are the things that make sense or are cool to change? For example, disable the eye-nanny cam, or move the speedometer to the center or "whatever you did"

 

[godnet23]

You're comparing two very different beasts.

FORScan is something that can use a LOT of different (and inexpensive) OBDII readers to modify the parameters of the car. For the most part, it's just enabling and disabling things, or making minor tweaks to existing functionality. For example, I changed the PIN pad on the driver door to require a 7 digit pin instead of a 5 digit pin. I've also turned off some excessive chime noises from the car. It's not reprogramming the car, but just modifying the parameters that the firmware uses.

FDRS, on the other hand, is a tool used by Ford (and auto mechanics) to run diagnostics and actually change/reprogram the firmware in the car. I'm not sure if FDRS can be used for "tweaking" the installed firmware... However, FDRS requires a much more expensive J2534 interface (similar to the ODBII adapters, but hundreds of US dollars more.) FDRS is mostly used by people in this forum to just apply firmware updates/upgrades to the modules in their cars. For example, Ford might fix some bug in the car related to how the rear hatch opens. That updates a single module in the car, and the update _might_ get pushed to your car over the air (OTA.) It also might not. However, it usually will be available for manually installing via FDRS.


For just tweaking, you'd be great with just FORScan and a decent OBDII reader/scanner.

Thanks! That's the kind of thing I was looking for—hacks that people are using to achieve this or that. Having a shorter list of cool, easy-to-change features is the trigger I need.

 

[RickMachE]

Yep, I saw this already, but it doesn't tell me much. What I am asking for is, from your experience, what are the things that make sense or are cool to change? For example, disable the eye-nanny cam, or move the speedometer to the center or "whatever you did"

Reading through a thread like that is how you see what is "cool to change". Disable the eye-nanny? No more handsfree driving.

You can't do anything with either tool that isn't part of the car model's features. In other words, if the Mach-E doesn't have a center speedometer in any year or any update, then you can't simply make it be in the center. But, if a compatible model year to you (meaning using the same modules) has a feature but you don't, FORScan may let you turn that feature on. For example, displaying the regen gauge on trims that didn't have it (until it got broken recently).

FDRS lets you update modules before an OTA update is sent out, but it does NOT let you update modules where Ford has not created an update FOR YOU VIN. In other words, let's say Ford has a new feature on 25s, but has not yet rolled it out to 24s. For example - a version of BlueCruise. IF the modules in a 24 are the same as a 25, and IF Ford has put out a module update for a 24, but not yet OTA, you can update that module, then perhaps turn on the feature with FORScan. But, if that version of BlueCruise will never work on 24s because they require a newer module, you can't turn it on.

Hope that helps.

As to the thread being too much time for you to bother reading, we all did. You're sending a message, perhaps unintentionally, that your time is more valuable than others.

 

[AliRafiee]

Yep, I saw this already, but it doesn't tell me much. What I am asking for is, from your experience, what are the things that make sense or are cool to change? For example, disable the eye-nanny cam, or move the speedometer to the center or "whatever you did"

The OP of that thread is really good at responding to messages.

 

[godnet23]

Reading through a thread like that is how you see what is "cool to change". Disable the eye-nanny? No more handsfree driving.

You can't do anything with either tool that isn't part of the car model's features. In other words, if the Mach-E doesn't have a center speedometer in any year or any update, then you can't simply make it be in the center. But, if a compatible model year to you (meaning using the same modules) has a feature but you don't, FORScan may let you turn that feature on. For example, displaying the regen gauge on trims that didn't have it (until it got broken recently).

FDRS lets you update modules before an OTA update is sent out, but it does NOT let you update modules where Ford has not created an update FOR YOU VIN. In other words, let's say Ford has a new feature on 25s, but has not yet rolled it out to 24s. For example - a version of BlueCruise. IF the modules in a 24 are the same as a 25, and IF Ford has put out a module update for a 24, but not yet OTA, you can update that module, then perhaps turn on the feature with FORScan. But, if that version of BlueCruise will never work on 24s because they require a newer module, you can't turn it on.

Hope that helps.

As to the thread being too much time for you to bother reading, we all did. You're sending a message, perhaps unintentionally, that your time is more valuable than others.

Hey, really appreciate the reply — and yeah, if I came off wrong, my bad! Totally not my intention. I’m just new here, and honestly, it’s kind of a wall of info when you first land. Super detailed (which is awesome), but also kinda tough to figure out what’s gold and what’s just deep-dive tech talk.

That’s really why I asked — hoping for a quick “here’s what’s cool to mess with” kind of list. If it sounds worth it, I’ll definitely put in the time and start digging through the threads properly. Just trying to figure out upfront if it’s something that gives real value or just a rabbit hole.

I’m sure I’m not the only one in that boat either — lots of folks probably peek in wondering the same thing. So again, thanks for the patience and the info. It helps a ton!

 

[ReverendPete]

The only things I have done with FORScan is to disable the walk-away honk (when you get out of the car while it is still running), and put the regen meter (which is only normally enabled on the GT models) on the IPC of my Premium model. But there are a lot of other things that people have done, as you can see from that spreadsheet. But that spreadsheet is more of a reference and not a guide. There were some similar threads to yours here in the past, where people have talked about specific things you can change in plain English.

There are a few other things that I would like to see if I can tweak, but haven't had time to dig for, including the amount of time it takes for the car to auto lock after the liftgate closes (mostly because it's a common occurrence for me to put something in the back, hit the close button, and then go to get in the car, but the car is often re-locking itself by the time I get to the driver door, which ends up causing unnecessary wear and tear on the folding mirrors), and I would also like to see if there are tweaks for making the side doors unlock when the liftgate is opened.

Anyway, hopefully you've gotten good answers to your questions. FDRS is primarily for installing/updating software and looking at what software versions all of the modules are currently running, and FORScan is for changing settings, kind of like editing things in the Windows Registry...

 

[HughJazzol]

@godnet23
Saludos and welcome to the curious club of Forscan. WHere in Spain? My family lives in Valencia?

WIth this adapter and a laptop, you will be able to make little tweaks, as mentioned above.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094Z7PBLS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I disabled the double honk when you walk away with the key, added the power meter to the display, replaced the direction (N,S,E,W) with the outdoor temperature, and one other one.
There are a few posts with all kinds of tweaks and the steps, and you will get friendly help if you ask.
As mentioned above, you will NOT be able to improve the battery life, the bumpiness of the ride, or any other real wishes that we all have. For the $30 investment, it's not a bad thing to do if you're technically inclined.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I think you're looking for this thread, with links to each how-to. If you're familiar with Windows then FDRS is the "Windows Update" whereas Forscan is the registry editor

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/which-forscan-changes-did-you-make-to-your-vehicle.25866/

 

[HughJazzol]

I think you're looking for this thread, with links to each how-to. If you're familiar with Windows then FDRS is the "Windows Update" whereas Forscan is the registry editor

Excellent analogy Atomic.
Very well said?(until the replies come asking "what's a registry?")

 

[godnet23]

Excellent analogy Atomic.
Very well said?(until the replies come asking "what's a registry?")

Sure! Here’s a polished version of your reply for the forum that matches the tone and flow of the ongoing discussion, while keeping it casual and tech-friendly:

Excellent analogy Atomic.

Very well said (until the replies come asking “what’s a registry?”)

Haha, definitely not me—I’m a computer guy, so that part doesn’t scare me. What does scare me is my wife complaining I’m starting yet another tech project ? That’s actually why I was asking for the coolest/easiest tweaks—trying to stay focused and avoid going down a rabbit hole.

One thing I’ve been wondering is whether it’s possible to send custom commands through these OBD adapters. I’d love to build an app that syncs with the car to do things like toggle lights, open windows, etc. Eventually, maybe even integrate physical buttons (kind of like Tesla’s S3XY buttons) for more control. But looking at these threads, I am afraid not possible. What I miss in this car (vs Tesla) is a more open API or developer interface to unlock more potential from the software side.

P.S. I’m based between Madrid and Alicante—pretty close to Valencia! ?

 

[HughJazzol]

P.S. I’m based between Madrid and Alicante—pretty close to Valencia! ?

Very nice. Too bad there isn't a high speed train to ALicante, like there is to Valencia.
What job gave you those 2 awesome cities??

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