Do you know that you can unlock certain functions and features of your Ford F150 by modifying its vehicle codes? A Ford dealer can do it for you, but their service charge will be very high. In this article, I’ll discuss how this can be done with the FORScan F150 – facts, download, spreadsheet, and mods.
FORScan is a software scanner that can be used for Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Mazda vehicles. This software is designed to work over ELM327 and J2534 Pass-Thru compatible adapters. There is a FORScan for Windows and FORScan Lite for iOS.
You can use FORScan for free if you want to try it first. The FORScan Extended License is available in two modes. There is a Free Trial Version and a Paid version. With the free version, you can access the full functionalities of the software but only for a maximum of two months. If you get the paid version, you can use its full functionalities for up to five years.
Read on to learn more about FORScan, what it can do, where you can download it, and how to use it for your Ford vehicle.
FORScan F150 – Overview
Enables You to Access and Modify the Ford F150’s Vehicle Codes
If you are not happy with the performance of your Ford F150, there are ways you can unlock its potential and functionalities. One way is to ask your Ford dealer to modify its vehicle codes. However, the charge for this kind of service is very pricey.
The other way is to download FORScan, a computer program designed for Ford vehicles, Mercury, Mazda, and Lincoln. This software will enable you to access and modify the vehicle codes of your Ford F150 to your liking.
Available in Two Versions
FORScan is available in two versions. One version is free. This is the one that you should try first to see if it works. The Free Trial Version allows you to use the software for up to two months.
After two months, if you find it works for you, you can buy the Paid version of the software. There is also a Windows version of this software for Windows devices and an iOS version for Apple devices.
Can Also Configure and Program Functions
You can do many things with FORScan to improve your F150 performance. It can show you the parameter IDs (PIDs) not supported by a typical OBD2 vehicle scanner. This software can also run specific procedures and tests.
The Windows version of FORScan can also configure and program functions. So, it seems FORScan is more functional than the standard OBD2 scanner because it can do things that the OBD2 scanner can’t.
Does Not Need High-tech Equipment
Since FORScan is a computer program, it needs certain things to run. And this is where it is attractive to use. It doesn’t need high-tech equipment. That will be enough if you have a device with a Core i3 or i5 processor with 4 GB RAM.
However, you should at least have a Home Windows version, and not just Windows 10 “S” because it can’t run standard programs, and they are very low-end devices.
How Is FORScan Different from OBD2 Scanner?
Enables Owners to Access and Modify Data to Unlock Certain Features
Ford vehicles have codes called As-Built Data. You can access and modify this data if you want to enable certain features or unlock certain functions in your car.
By accessing this data, Ford dealers can enable certain modifications, including Police/Dark mode, Global Windows mode, and Bambi mode.
Designed for Certain Vehicles
But, if you have FORScan and know how to use it, you can use it yourself.
FORScan is different from OBD2 scanners. It is specifically designed for Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Mazda vehicles.
This means FORScan supports more specific features of these car manufacturers. So, it is more powerful than an OBD2 scanner for using it with Ford and other vehicles.
Can Detect Modules That Standard OBD2 Scanners Cannot See
For instance, FORScan can detect modules that standard OBD2 scanners can’t see. FORScan can determine and reset trouble codes that regular OBD2 scanners cannot display. This software can also show PIDs that regular OBD2 scanners do not support.
Can Run Special Service Procedures and Specific Tests
It can also run special service procedures and specific tests. The Windows version of FORScan can also perform programming functions and configurations. These are capabilities that standard OBD2 scanners don’t have.
More Than an OBD2 Application
In other words, FORScan is not just an OBD2 application. OBD2 applications use a basic OBD2 protocol originally designed as effective emission control. That protocol is very limited.
FORScan is very different because it functions on a higher level. It uses the principles that dealership and professional scanners use. As such, it is a different concept that determines the product development strategy.
The developers of OBD2 scanners are limited to the protocol of OBD2. They spend most of their efforts on developing a better-looking product that is more user-friendly. FORScan does not have this limitation.
More Power and Capability to Diagnose Specific Vehicle Problems
The developers’ objective of FORScan is to extend the software’s core functionality. So, FORScan may not be nice-looking and less convenient than similar products, but the user has more power and capability to diagnose specific vehicle problems.
Main Features of FORScan
As a vehicle scanner software, FORScan has many useful features for professional mechanics and car enthusiasts who want to enhance the performance of their Ford F150s.
Here are the key features of FORScan:
- Run test diagnostic procedures
- Detect vehicle on-board network configuration
- Run service procedures
- Read and reset Diagnostic Trouble Codes from all modules
- Reading of data from different sensors of different modules
- Programming and configuration functions (as an option if you get the Windows Extended License)
What Vehicles Will FORScan Work On?
FORScan is a vehicle scanner program developed for certain vehicles. What are these vehicles and their model years?
Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Vehicles
FORScan supports model years from 1996 to 2022. This software may support a limited set of configuration and functions parameters for brand new models from 2021 to 2022.
Mazda Vehicles
FORScan supports model years from 1996 to 2022 up to 6G. Mazda 7G models, such as Mazda 3, MX-30, CX-30, CX-50, and so forth, are partially supported. Some are not supported at all.
Please note that besides Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Mazda vehicles, FORScan does not support other vehicles. In other words, you can’t use FORScan for other vehicles. You can only use this software for these four specific vehicle brands.
How to Download FORScan
If you think you can use FORScan for your F150, then, by all means, download the software. It has a free trial version so that you can start with it first, and if you find it beneficial, you can purchase the paid version. Here is how you can accomplish a free FORScan download.
There are two types of FORScan licenses. One is a free version, and the other is a paid version. You can start with the free version and use it for a maximum of two months. Once the period is over, you need to switch to the paid version.
FORScan has three types of paid versions with their respective subscription fees. One version allows you to use the software for one year. The second version will enable you to use it for three years.
A third version allows you to use FORScan for five years. Lastly, a lifelong version will enable you to use FORScan for an indefinite period:
1. Download the Latest Version of FORScan
- Click this link to download FORScan’s latest version.
- Register with the official forum of FORScan at this link.
- Wait until they accept you. This may take a few hours, depending on your time zone.
- Once accepted, you will receive a notification from the forum on your email.
2. Log In
- Log in using your username and password.
- Next, submit your request to generate your free 2-month trial Extended License Key at this link.
3. Fill in the Required Information
- They will request a hardware ID from you. You can use your computer ID as FORScan identifies it.
- Launch the FORScan software, and go to the “About” section (the icon with a question mark).
- Copy your hardware ID by clicking “Copy to Clipboard.”
- Paste the hardware ID to the Support Request form.
4. Click Submit
- They will start to process your request. It may take a couple of hours for them to complete the processing.
- Once the processing is complete, you will receive a notice in your email. If, after 8 hours and you still haven’t received the notice in your email, check your spam folder.
- The email notice will include instructions on downloading and installing the free FORScan Extended License key.
- Connect to the internet to activate the code. After activation, you don’t need to be connected to the internet to use FORScan.
- An Extended License is valid only for one PC or device for single-owner usage.
5. Check the “About” Section of the Extended License
If you have correctly applied for a free FORScan Extended License, it will appear under the “About” section with your full name and the date when the license started to be valid.
How to Get the Paid Version of FORScan
The steps in getting the paid version of FORScan are not very different from the free version. Here are the steps:
1. Download the Latest Version of FORScan
- Download the software by clicking this link.
- Then register your name on the official FORScan forum.
- Wait until they accept you. This may take a few hours, depending on your time zone.
- Wait for the notification in your email.
2. Log In
- Once they have accepted you, log in with your username and password.
- Then click this link to access the product section.
- Buy the Extended License. You can choose the 1-year license, the 3-year license, the 5-year license, or the lifelong subscription.
3. Choose and Order Your Paid Extended License
4. Wait for Your Email Notification
- After they process your order, you will receive an email confirmation, installation instructions, and an activation code.
- You must connect to the internet to activate the activation code.
- Once your software is activated, you don’t need to connect to the internet to use FORScan.
- Only one Extended License is valid for single owner usage or a single PC.
5. Check the “About” Section of the Extended License
If your paid FORScan Extended License was correctly applied, it would appear under the “About” section of the Extended License. You will see your full name and the date when the validity of the license started.
FORScan Ford F150 Spreadsheets
By using FORScan, you can do your code modifications on your Ford F150. But before doing that, it is wise to make yourself more familiar with the nature of these codes and how to apply these modifications correctly.
In this respect, FORScan community forums have published several FORScan code spreadsheets for different models. Thankfully, some lists of spreadsheets are available on the internet.
Since you are concerned with Ford F150s, two links will lead you to some FORScan spreadsheets specifically focused on Ford F150s.
Here is another link leading you to other FORScan Ford F150 spreadsheet links.
And here’s the link to one F150 FORScan spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article may have sparked some questions because of its technical nature. If you keep on reading, you may get your answers below:
What Is FORSCan?
Simply put, FORScan is a vehicle scanner for Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, and Mazda vehicles. If you know OBD2 scanners, FORScan is similar, although it has more scanning capabilities.
What Is the Difference Between Forscan and Standard Obd2 Scanners?
Regular OBD2 scanners are simpler. FORScan is much more specific and more capable. OBD2 scanners were initially designed just for the control of vehicle emissions. You can use a regular OBD2 scanner on any type and brand of vehicle.
FORScan is specifically designed for Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, and Mercury vehicles. You can’t use it to scan the codes of other brands of vehicles.
FORScan is more powerful than standard OBD2 scanners. It can detect modules that standard OBD2 scanners can’t see. FORScan can determine and reset trouble codes that aren’t displayed in regular OBD2 scanners. It can show parameter IDs (PIDs) that standard OBD2 scanners can’t support.
These are only some things that differentiate FORScan from regular OBD2 scanners. There are many more.
Is Forscan Free to Use?
Yes, you can use FORScan for two months without paying a subscription fee. If you find it beneficial for your Ford F150, after the trial period, you have the option to buy a one-year subscription. You can also buy a 3-year, 5-year, or lifelong subscription.
What Do I Need to Run Forscan?
The requirements to run FORScan on your computer are not that complicated. Your device only needs 4 GB RAM and a processor that is either a Core i3 or a Core i5.
Do I Need an Internet Connection to Run Forscan?
No, you don’t have to connect to the internet to use FORScan. Internet connection is required only when activating the software. But once your FORScan program is activated, you can use it without the internet.
Is Forscan Able to Read Codes?
Yes, FORScan can read codes. This is one of its functionalities. It allows users to read and clear fault codes of their vehicles, as long as they are Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, or Mazda vehicles. It can read or reset the codes of other brands of vehicles.
In Closing: Facts, Mods, Downloads, Spreadsheets of FORScan F150
You can unlock certain features and functions of your Ford vehicle by going to a Ford dealer and asking them to modify its vehicle codes. However, their service charge for this is very hefty. You can do it yourself by using FORScan.
FORScan is a software scanner that you can use for your Ford vehicle. It can also be used for other vehicles like Mercury, Lincoln, and Mazda. There is a Windows version of this software and also an iOS version. It is designed to work over ELM327 and J2534 Pass-Thru compatible adapters.
