Lincoln MKC Forum banner

Software Update for Digital Speed Display

30652 Views 25 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  copbait
Hi all; anybody know if the instrument cluster software can be upgraded to have a digital vehicle speed display? I drove a 2017 MKZ recently that had the exact same instrument cluster as my 2015 MKC, but the had one additional menu option with the right side menu, that you could choose to display a digital speed. Always thought it was weird it did not have a digital display for speed and seems like it would only be a software update.
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Hi there,

You are able to put on the digital speed on the dash. Use the right controls of the steering wheels and go to Display, I believe. I am telling you by memory, but you can do it.

Good luck!
My '17 MKC has a digital speedo for the centre screen in the cluster, I use it all the time.
Must be available only on the 2017. No option in the menu for that on my 2016 that I can see. It would be nice to have.
That's too bad, I really like the digital speedo. In the centre screen I have the usual media, phone compass etc, the last option in the list is speedometer. Interesting that it might be new for the '17s, it could be why I hadn't noticed it on my test drives.

Another tidbit I noticed on the '17s I hadn't noticed in my test drive of a '16 is accent bars showing around the tach and speedo depending on what drive mode you're in. Comfort has blue borders and sport has red.
My 2015 has those color indicators for "Comfort" and "Sport". I had a 2017 MKZ loaner recently and noticed the digital speedo too. Must be an addition that came out of the MKZ refresh and they carried it over to the similar instrument cluster on the MKCs.
Well, seems like the hardware for the instrument cluster is the same between 2015 and 2017, so I was hoping is could just be a software flash to add the speedometer option to the right side menu.
Well, seems like the hardware for the instrument cluster is the same between 2015 and 2017, so I was hoping is could just be a software flash to add the speedometer option to the right side menu.
Per Lincoln Concierge the answer is No. Previous years cannot be upgraded. I still think its more a question for engineering and not someone reading from a script.
I would agree. The concierges really aren't very knowledgeable on tech issues. They didn't even know how to start the car when the key fob is dead.
I'm not too sure what all the appeal is on the digital speedometer. Our '11 Jeep had it, and so does our current '14 Durango. We honestly never use it. I guess I'd have to see the one in the MKC. Chrysler's analog-look looks so much better than their digital. My Passport 9500 tells me how fast I'm going. :)
I'm not too sure what all the appeal is on the digital speedometer. Our '11 Jeep had it, and so does our current '14 Durango. We honestly never use it. I guess I'd have to see the one in the MKC. Chrysler's analog-look looks so much better than their digital. My Passport 9500 tells me how fast I'm going. :)
I think it is just a personal preference. For a quick look at how fast I am going, I definitely prefer it. I am also a "computer" guy and prefer precise readouts rather than gauges!
I thought it was just available on the 2017 model.
Interesting enough, my 2016 MKC starting making all sorts of different chime noises instead of the modern chimes you usually hear for doors, seatbelt alerts, etc.

The dealership just replaced my instrument cluster on a whim and now I have a digital spedometer on my 2016 that I didn't have before. I wonder if they put in a 2017 cluster?

(Not this this really matters...I absolutely love my MKC but have been plagued with battery problems, whistling noises that had to be fixed 5 times, instrument cluster replaced twice for different issues, and the power driver seat not working. Concierge declined a "good faith buyback" of the lease twice so now going with a lemon law attorney and maybe waiting out for the 2018 MKC. If they go with the new grill design like photos show, that will be sweet!)
New grill design will not be available until at least 2019.
If Lincoln stays with the current "look" until 2019, my 2015 MKC, leased in August of 2014, will be getting a bit long in the tooth at almost 4 1/2 to 5 years with the same appearance! I'm not real anxious to jump back into another long-term lease without some kind of appearance modernization although I throughly enjoy the car. The new "grill" was teased as a 2018 change. "2015 MSM", where are you getting your info? Your comment appears to be more of a "statement", not speculation! ??
the 2018 model has already been designated to production, there is another thread entitled 2018 MKC information, started by myself, the only notable changes for the most part are color choices, there is a link with photos and the design is the same.

http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/brochures/2018/2018_LincolnMKC.pdf
Even the 2015 MKC has a digital speedometer. Its in the IPC module but you need a special program to turn it on. It's probably not activated because it doesn't quite match the regular dial speedo for accuracy.
Even the 2015 MKC has a digital speedometer. Its in the IPC module but you need a special program to turn it on. It's probably not activated because it doesn't quite match the regular dial speedo for accuracy.
Here is where I saw this: Using FORScan to 'tweak' the X - 2016 MKX - Lincoln MKX Forum
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Even the 2015 MKC has a digital speedometer. Its in the IPC module but you need a special program to turn it on. It's probably not activated because it doesn't quite match the regular dial speedo for accuracy.
How can I activate it?
How can I activate it?
You need Forscan on a laptop, a USB connector to your OBD11 port and on Forscan change the IPC line 720-07-01 to xxx1 xxxx xxxx. Do not change anything where the x's are, just make it 1, in the position after the first 3 x's. Before that you need to do a lot of reading how to use Forscan by going to the following sites.

Depends on year of your vehicle - mine was a 2015 Lincoln MXC.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Top