Datalog Guide: Ford Vehicles
- Brandyn Mowat
- Former user (Deleted)
- Sam Parker
- HJ Lee
Ford Datalog Guide
Intro to Datalogging
Whether a stock daily driver or a dedicated track car, keeping track of how your car is running is vital to making sure your car will last without needing expensive repairs. While monitoring gauges on your car can let you know what is happening with a few parameters at a given moment, it won't be able to give you a full scope of how the car is running. In order to gain perspective over a wider range of time and parameters we run a datalog.
Here's a good reference on how you actually create a datalog
How To: Datalog
What is a Datalog?
A Datalog is where the Accessport or another system records a user-specified set of sensor data and/or information which the vehicle's computer is using to run the engine. This can include things from simple data like coolant temperature, to how often the computer wants the fuel injector to be open during a given engine cycle.
Why Can't I Datalog Everything?
While each generation of ECU has different limitations there is generally a limit to the number of parameters you can select. In most cases this is because the ECU needs to process the requests for data and output that information to whatever device is requesting it. As a result the more monitors you request, the more work the computer has to do in order to keep up. On some vehicles as you approach the limit you won't see any differences until it simply can't log more items. However on other platforms you will see the approach to the limit show itself as a slow down in the logging rate, so if you are logging a bunch of different items make sure to keep an eye on the amount of time in between each sample to keep things in perspective.
Quick Reference Guide
Ford Datalogging Guide:
Engine & Transmission Monitor List for Ford Vehicles
If you have ever looked at Ford Accesstuner software, you may have noticed just how many tables are present. Some vehicles have as many as 400 unique data tables! While some of these tables represent data used by the ECU at all times, many tables are only active under specific modes of operation. There are several ‘source’ monitors that help you understand what tables are being used in different conditions. These sources are key to analyzing datalogs and better understanding how your ECU and engine work.
Cobb supports multiple years and models of EcoBoost Fords. While all of these cars use the same core tuning strategy architecture, there are some minor differences. This article should be considered a general guide to understanding Ford datalogs and making sure your car is running well.
Fiesta / Focus | Mustang | Raptor | |||||||||
| Normal Expected Behavior | Normal Expected Behavior | Normal Expected Behavior | |||||||||
Monitor Name | What Is It? | What Can It Tell Me? | Idle | Light Throttle | Heavy Throttle | Idle | Light Throttle | Heavy Throttle | Idle | Light Throttle | Heavy Throttle |
| Basic Monitors for Datalog Review | |||||||||||
| PD Status/Power Demand Status | Indicates whether conditions have been met for Power Demand. | Power Demand is where power enrichment will occur. The PD threshold is determined by Accelerator Pedal Position and RPM. At WOT, PD Status should be 1 – indicating that power demand is active. PD Status of 0 indicates that power demand is not active. | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Actual AFR | Measured air/fuel ratio by the primary O2 sensors. | Target AFR at WOT varies vehicle to vehicle, and tune to tune. During deceleration, the ECU will enter decel. fuel cut, and AFR will increase sharply; seeing 30-40 AFR under this condition is normal. | 14.2 - 15.3 | 14.2 - 15.3 | 11.0 - 12.0 | 14.2 - 15.3 | 14.2 - 15.3 | 11.0 - 12.0 | 14.2 - 15.3 | 14.2 - 15.3 | 11.0 - 12.0 |
| LTFT (Long term fueling trims) | Long term fuel trims. | This can oscillate, but during WOT operation we like to see total fuel trims (LTFT + STFT = total fuel trims) +/-10%. All EcoBoost Fords that we support use full-time closed loop fueling. | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to STFT) |
| STFT (Short term fueling trims) | Short term fuel trims. | This can oscillate, but during WOT operation we like to see total fuel trims (LTFT + STFT = total fuel trims) +/-10%. All EcoBoost Fords that we support use full-time closed loop fueling. | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) | -10% to +10% Total (When added to LTFT) |
| OAR (Octane Adjustment Ratio) | A global learned octane modifier that will move up or down based on feedback from the knock sensors. | -1 indicates high fuel octane, low knock activity, and maximum timing advance. If the ECU detects excessive knock, this value will be increased incrementally to a maximum of +1, which indicates very low fuel octane and minimum timing advance. This is one of the easiest-to-reference indicators of how happy a car is with a tune. | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 (Applies to 15-17 only) | -1 (Applies to 15-17 only) | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| KOM (Knock Octane Modifier) | Practically identical to OAR, but inverted. Only available/used on the Raptor, currently. | 1 indicates high fuel quality and low knock activity, while -1 indicates low fuel quality and high knock activity. This system is currently only present in the Raptor. Unlike OAR, KOM has some limits based on ECT and RPM. KOM will be limited to 0 until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | 1 (Applies to 18+ only) | 1 (Applies to 18+ only) | 1 (Applies to 18+ only) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Knock Count Cyl. X | The total number of knock events on an individual cylinder. | These knock counts will typically be reset when throttle position returns to zero. Knock count does not take into consideration the intensity of the knock event. Anything that eclipses the knock sensor sensitivity threshold will register as a knock count. Ideally, zero knock counts will be logged during a pull, but seeing 1-3 knock counts across all cylinders is not uncommon. | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders | Less than or equal to 3 across all cylinders |
| ETC Angle Actual | Reports angle of the throttle body. | The ECU will use throttle closures to regulate boost pressure in the intake manifold. If the engine is overboosting, you will see large throttle closures during the pull while APP is at WOT. Seeing some closures is normal, depending on the tune, or during traction loss events. | 0-8% | Varies with APP. | Max. is 82.25%, stay wide open during pull under normal conditions. | 0-8% | Varies with APP. | Max. is 82.25%, stay wide open during pull under normal conditions. | 0-8% | Varies with APP. | Max. is 82.5%, should stay wide open during majority of pull, taper towards redline. |
Special Notes:
Custom Tunes
With a custom tune, keep in mind that since they're made to specifications other than what we use, normal values may vary. For troubleshooting on a custom map reach out to the Protuner responsible for your tune and they should be able to help you out!
Built Engines
In the quest for ever more speed and power, eventually you come to the point of ordering up a built engine block, or even having one custom built to your specifications. This is an incredibly exciting day, as you'll no longer be held back by the limitations of the stock bottom end and can explore the upper limits of what your car (and in some cases you) are capable of. Even if your external engine parts match a COBB Stage package, you will need to get a custom tune in order to make your built engine run safely and in optimally.
Links and Related Videos
How To: Update Accessport Firmware - Can provide assistance with getting your Accessport running the most up-to-date firmware.
How To: Change Datalog Monitors - Shows you how to adjust your datalog monitors so that you are viewing what you'd like to look at.
Calibration Map Notes for Ford Vehicles. This way you can determine what map you should be on for the parts equipped on your vehicle.
Ford Monitor List -A list of all data monitors used by the various Ford platforms.
Customer Support
Have additional questions? Please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Support Team!
Email: support@cobbtuning.com
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866.922.3059
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