Focus ST Steering wheel controls illumination

pj470 · 07-04-2021, 06:41 PM

So I just bought a 2020 Focus ST and just drove the car for the first time at night, to my surprise the steering wheel controls do not have any illumination. I have contacted the Ford dealer where I bought the car and they have told me that in Australia the steering wheel control buttons do not have lights connected. Can anyone confirm that the volume/tracks, cruise, phone etc buttons are all supposed to light up?

**DJM83** · 08-04-2021, 07:16 AM

Really?
Such a little thing to have had removed from previous models.

From the little bit of research I've done, it doesn't look like they do.

**russellw** · 08-04-2021, 08:17 AM

They don't in our market. They do in other markets but it looks like another one of those things that disappears in the RHD conversion.

**DJM83** · 08-04-2021, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

They don't in our market. They do in other markets but it looks like another one of those things that disappears in the RHD conversion.

Must have changed iirc my LW2 did light up. I know that was a while back

Paul22 · 08-04-2021, 06:17 PM

Frustrating isn't it.

I've just purchased the Active and mine doesn't have the paddle shifters and Ford have pulled the "we-can-change-specs-anytime-without-notice-so-there!" trick.

However it does have the heated windscreen which is really handy in Australia!

This is not mentioned in the spec sheet either.

It also has a button for turning off the parking sensors.

Back to the paddle shifter imbroglio; the alternative is to provide an 'L' in place of the 'M' on the selector which in my opinion is the most useless concept some f***wit in Ford has devised.

The lack of control over the transmission is the first time I've encountered this in my six score plus 10 on this lonely planet.

I understand this is the type of selector fitted to most Escapes now.

I wonder how that will go for Ford?
Apart from that arrant stupidity I have to say the car is a delight to drive given that it's quieter at any speed than the diesel Kuga I traded not to mention much more economical and powerful.

Paul22 · 08-04-2021, 06:25 PM

Forgot to mention, the steering wheel buttons do all illuminate.

PeCo · 03-05-2021, 10:34 AM

No illuminated steering wheel controls is ridiculous. Is this 2001 instead of 2021? I'm seriously considering a Focus ST-3 when they are released later this year. But I won't be if there's no illuminated steering controls, which I've had in my past 6 cars. I don't want to lose features in my next car!

red_october · 06-05-2021, 10:04 AM

My 2019 Focus SA Trend has the buttons on the steering wheel illuminated, and I have the paddles. I'm surprised and a bit perturbed they removed them. Damn beancounters.

Fast Eddie · 06-05-2021, 07:20 PM

Goes back to the MkI Focus. It frustrates me also by this lack of feature but you do get used to it.

CatonaPC© · 15-05-2021, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj470

Can anyone confirm that the volume/tracks, cruise, phone etc buttons are all supposed to light up?

They light up in my 2019 Focus Active. This is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard. This can't be right because you wouldn't be able to use the safety features these buttons control. There must be something amiss here. I'd certainly check this with Ford.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul22

I've just purchased the Active and mine doesn't have the paddle shifters
Back to the paddle shifter imbroglio; the alternative is to provide an 'L' in place of the 'M' on the selector which in my opinion is the most useless concept some f***wit in Ford has devised.

I hardly use the paddle shifters but I wouldn't want them omitted. They do come in handy at times. What is the 'L' supposed to do?

Paul22 · 16-05-2021, 06:16 PM

The 'L' button - I've since discovered by trial and error - given there's no mention of this in the owner's manual - does two things.

Firstly if you press it when slowing down it selects a lower gear and then if you apply the brake pedal it selects another (indeterminate) lower gear.

The other thing it does is it prevents the transmission from up-shifting (although I haven't red-lined it).

Presumably this is to prevent the transmission from selecting too high a gear on long hills.

Bizarre at best, ergonomically stupid at worst.

Ford Motor Co do not accept any responsibility for this and will not supply a supplemental leaflet, to the owner's manual, to properly explain the operation.

Bottom line; you bought it you wear it!

There's an element of dishonesty regarding this - a trait for which this company ( I'm afraid is well known).

CatonaPC© · 17-05-2021, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul22

The 'L' button - selects a lower gear and then if you apply the brake pedal it selects another (indeterminate) lower gear.

The other thing it does is it prevents the transmission from up-shifting

I guess this is a cheap workaround for the omission of paddle shifters. Unfortunate.

I wouldn't label this change as dishonesty. Any car manufacturer can change specifications without notice. And, yes, the buyer has to wear it.