Is there a way to calibrate the on-board compass. It appears that my compass is off about 25 degrees. Since declination angles are different throughout the country, I wonder how these Ford compass's allow for this variance.

 

N/M

 

It is all explained in the manual. You chose a region number and then drive in circles to calibrate.

 

yeah, Norm, sure, sounds like you are joking, but, I know, I have read it, its true...

Just don't drive in circles too long, even if you think you are Dale Earnhardt Jr........

 

Electronic flux gate compasses are easy to compensate. All you gotta do is set the Variation and drive in a slow circle away from anything that's big and metallic like a building. I did mine in a stadium parking lot.

As the others have said, you get the procedure and the Variation value from the owner's manual.

 

I don't know if the calibration is absolutly nessasary but setting what part of the country you are in is, as you have noticed.

When I got my truck I figured that I just spent almost 30 big ones, might as well read the manual to see if there is anything godd in it, and I am glad I did.

Seriously folks, if you haven't read you manual or at least skimed it from cover to cover, take about 20 minutes and do so...

 

Thanks for all the help!!!

 

It's actually kinda funny, how these compasses are in our trucks. You gotta turn pretty far to make the display change. Wish there was a setting for degrees.

 

My compass shows change in direction really fast. But it takes a long time to show the right temp. after its been sitting in the parking lot at work. It still shows the morning temp for almost 10 mins.

 

Yeh, but then Ford would have to install an ACCURATE compass. With only 8 directions, there are 45 degree intervals, and any ole cheap compass can get that right.

 

Do we really need any better than that? I don't think so. I think it is a novelty item anyways, not really needed.

 

Probably not... if you're travelling northwest on a road, its not like you are going to strike off cross country on a heading of 350 degrees.

OTOH, I'd like a but more accuracy, just to have a better sense of the twists and turns in a road... like mountain driving for example... no real need, just curiosity.

 

Yes! I'd like an accurate compass with actual degree headings, not that I need it in the truck, 'cause it's what I'm used to.