Lights on the MD

Big grey · 18-05-2019, 10:30 AM

I have a 2017.5 MD wagon, base model. The lights are not as good as I would have expected for a 2017 car, including no running lights. Is there an easy upgrade? And is it really the case that all those screws etc have to come out in order to replace a globe?

Mondaveo · 20-05-2019, 11:26 AM

Owner's manual says the entire light assembly has to be removed to replace a globe. I haven't inspected one (an MD) but I'm assuming it's recommended for access.

For DRLs, you can certainly get generic aftermarket units from most auto stores that can be fitted somewhere on your bumper. Also a lot of options on ebay including Chinese-made units that will fit in the fog light surrounds. Or look for a wrecker with a Trend or Titanium Mondy from which you can take the LED headlights with integrated DRLs. The latter two probably require taking the nosecone off to fit though.

NX74205 · 20-05-2019, 01:15 PM

Only the Titanium has LED, Trend has halogen. And my understanding is that all Mondeos have DRLs, it's just that on lower models, the DRLs are halogen, not LED.

Big grey · 23-05-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mondaveo

Owner's manual says the entire light assembly has to be removed to replace a globe. I haven't inspected one (an MD) but I'm assuming it's recommended for access.

For DRLs, you can certainly get generic aftermarket units from most auto stores that can be fitted somewhere on your bumper. Also a lot of options on ebay including Chinese-made units that will fit in the fog light surrounds. Or look for a wrecker with a Trend or Titanium Mondy from which you can take the LED headlights with integrated DRLs. The latter two probably require taking the nosecone off to fit though.

Thanks. I'll look at those options.
Owner's Manual: the one that I have doesn't have any maintenance/workshop type stuff - just how to operate things. Do you have a link please?

Big grey · 23-05-2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NX74205

Only the Titanium has LED, Trend has halogen. And my understanding is that all Mondeos have DRLs, it's just that on lower models, the DRLs are halogen, not LED.

Thanks.
You are right. The Owner's Manual says that all have 'DRLs'. Now I've just got to (a) find them (shouldn't be hard), and (b) make them more visible (may be hard).

Mondaveo · 23-05-2019, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big grey

Owner's Manual: the one that I have doesn't have any maintenance/workshop type stuff - just how to operate things. Do you have a link please?

You can download owner's manuals from ford.com.au/owners/owner-manual/
I was browsing the 2017.5 edition and found the direction to remove the headlamp on page 236. (It doesn't tell you HOW to remove the headlamp, however.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big grey

'DRLs'. Now I've just got to (a) find them (shouldn't be hard), and (b) make them more visible (may be hard).

I think the 'budget' solution for DRLs (the case here where conventional/halogen bulbs are being used for the running lights) employed by carmakers is simply to run the high beams at a reduced output. So it may not be possible to alter this too much and there are possibly regulations around this (allowable brightness etc) also.

DougalXR6 · 23-05-2019, 11:22 AM

The DRLs on MD Trends and Ambients are incorporated into the highbeam bulb which is a dual filament 15 / 55 W.
You may be able to replace the standard halogen bulb with an LED equivalent if they are available however, it will require the removal of the bumper bar and headlight assemblies.
Most of the driving of my 2015 Trend is during the day and I am still running the original bulbs.
On the rare occasion I have seen an MD Trend approaching I have noticed that the halogen DRLs are very visible and more so than some LED DRLs.

Overall, the headlights on the Mondeos are no where near as good as the lights were on the AUII, BA and FG Falcons that I have previously owned.

thebigd · 23-05-2019, 06:14 PM

Completely agree with your comments in the post above Dougal, although would debate that it's rare to see a Trend or Ambiente approaching. SEQ has a few running around, especially white (Fleet) wagons. I pass three or four a day in my travels. But yer, for such a great car, unfortunate that there's so few of them out there.

cooperplace · 11-06-2019, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougalXR6

.

Overall, the headlights on the Mondeos are no where near as good as the lights were on the AUII, BA and FG Falcons that I have previously owned.

bummer, I want a car with lights as good as they were on the AU. But what are they like on the Ti MDs?

bundybear75 · 11-06-2019, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperplace

bummer, I want a car with lights as good as they were on the AU. But what are they like on the Ti MDs?

Easy fix.....

lights by bundybear75, on Flickr

Mondaveo · 11-06-2019, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperplace

bummer, I want a car with lights as good as they were on the AU. But what are they like on the Ti MDs?

There are some owner pics of a MD Titanium's light pattern (with comparison to a BF) in this thread: https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11462997

The MD's LED lamps produce a whiter, more solid light, but it has a sharp cutoff at the top compared to the more diffuse spread of the beam from the older car. This makes the throw of the light appear to not reach as far - objects are either illuminated or they are not. A characteristic of modern lights you just have to get used to.

You can adjust the beam angle to try to bring that cut-off a bit higher and illuminate further down the road, but it will always be a juggling act to not dazzle oncoming traffic.

Consensus seems to be that the MD lights are only average (Ambiente) to decent (Titanium), while old AU thru BF headlights are just unbeatable.

cooperplace · 15-06-2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundybear75

Easy fix.....

image lights by bundybear75, on Flickr

those spots will give great high beam, but it's low beam I'm interested in.

AlanD · 16-06-2019, 10:20 AM

Hi Cooper,

Same problem.

To see how I got it fixed go here:

https://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11478063

Last three posts in that thread.

Can't comment about BA headlamp lighting because I never drove one of those at night, but did own an SX territory ( I think very similar lighting to a BA, happy to be corrected) and the LED adaptives are as good as the territory was - provided they get aimed correctly, and ,as stated elsewhere, I would NOT rely on a dealer to get correct adjustment.

Hope this may be of help.

Cheers