Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) - Overview. Description and Operation
Overview
The IPC uses the following methods and functions to alert the driver to the vehicle condition:
- gauges
- information indicators
- warning indicators
- Message center indicators
- warning messages
- warning chimes
Base IPC
Base IPC
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tachometer |
| 2 | Left turn indicator |
| 3 | ABS Warning Indicator |
| 4 | Electronic Stability Control Indicator (sliding car icon) |
| 5 | Traction Control System Off Indicator (Sliding Car Off Symbol) |
| 6 | Compass display area |
| 7 | TPMS warning indicator |
| 8 | MIL |
| 9 | Unbuckled Seat Belt Indicator |
| 10 | Outside air temperature display area |
| 11 | Airbag Warning Indicator |
| 12 | Electric parking brake warning indicator |
| 13 | Brake Warning Indicator |
| 14 | Right turn indicator |
| 15 | Driver Assist Indicator |
| 16 | Charging System Warning Indicator |
| 17 | Low Oil Pressure Warning Indicator |
| 18 | Speedometer |
| 19 | Fuel Gauge |
| 20 | Low fuel level indicator |
| 21 | Indicator On |
| 22 | High Beam indicator |
| 23 | Main message center/route display area |
| 24 | PRNDL display |
| 25 | Odometer display area |
| 26 | Cruise control message center indicator |
| 27 | Door Ajar Indicator |
| 28 | Fog Lamp Indicator |
| 29 | Powertrain malfunction indicator |
| 30 | Engine Temperature Gauge |
The base IPC is equipped with one 2.3-inch monochrome LCD message center display.
Mid-Level IPC
Mid-Level IPC
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tachometer |
| 2 | Main menu display |
| 3 | Left turn indicator |
| 4 | ABS Warning Indicator |
| 5 | Electronic Stability Control Indicator (sliding car icon) |
| 6 | Traction Control System Off Indicator (Sliding Car Off Symbol) |
| 7 | TPMS warning indicator |
| 8 | MIL |
| 9 | Unbuckled Seat Belt Indicator |
| 10 | Lane Departure Warning system on the message center indicator |
| 11 | Airbag Warning Indicator |
| 12 | Cruise control message center indicator |
| 13 | Electric Parking Brake Indicator |
| 14 | Brake Warning Indicator |
| 15 | Right turn indicator |
| 16 | Lane Departure Warning / Door ajar indication |
| 17 | Speedometer |
| 18 | Fuel Gauge |
| 19 | Indicator On |
| 20 | High Beam indicator |
| 21 | Odometer display area |
| 22 | Main message center display area |
| 23 | PRNDL display |
| 24 | Message center indicator display area |
| 25 | SelectShift® display |
| 26 | Fog Lamp Indicator |
| 27 | Temperature Gauge |
| 28 | Stop/Start indicator |
The mid-level IPC has one 4.2-inch color thin-film transistor message center display.
High-Level IPC
High-Level IPC
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Main menu display area |
| 2 | Selected menu navigation display |
| 3 | Odometer |
| 4 | Main message center/virtual gauge display area |
| 5 | MIL |
| 6 | TPMS warning indicator |
| 7 | Fuel Gauge |
| 8 | Temperature gauge (fuel gauge with temperature gauge turned off) |
| 9 | Speedometer |
| 10 | Main infotainment menu |
| 11 | Traction Control System Off Indicator (Sliding Car Off Symbol) |
| 12 | Electronic Stability Control Indicator (sliding car icon) |
| 13 | Outside Air Temperature Display |
| 14 | Compass Display |
| 15 |
|
| 16 | Selected infotainment menu display |
| 17 | Unbuckled Seat Belt Indicator |
| 18 | Airbag Warning Indicator |
| 19 | Electric parking brake warning indicator |
| 20 | Brake Warning Indicator |
| 21 | Right turn indicator |
| 22 | High Beam indicator |
| 23 | PRNDL display |
| 24 | Left turn indicator |
| 25 | SelectShift® display |
| 26 | ABS Warning Indicator |
| 27 | Stop/Start message center indicator |
| 28 | Lane Departure Warning system on the message center indicator |
| 29 | Cruise control message center indicator |
| 30 | Fog Lamp Indicator |
| 31 | Indicator On |
| 32 | Odometer display area |
The high-level IPC has dual left and right 4.2-inch thin-film transistor screens for displaying driver information. The left display screen shows virtual gauges and message center information. The right display screen shows multimedia information (audio, phone, navigation and climate control), as well as items such as vehicle direction, outside air temperature and time.
The dual-screen IPC message center uses mainly virtual gauges. Virtual gauges are video displays that provide information in a unique format. The exception is the speedometer, which is still an analog-type gauge. Each virtual gauge differs slightly in how it is displayed.
Information indicators inform the driver of conditions existing in the vehicle. Warning indicators alert the driver to conditions that may result in injury or affect vehicle operation.
Message center indicators illuminate in the message center and replace the typical information or warning indicator using the same icon representation. The cruise control message center indicator illuminates in a fixed location, while others are displayed in the order in which the request was received by the IPC.
Network Input Messages
Module messaging has increased over time and is the standard for sending and receiving information required for IPC operation. Most of the inputs required for IPC operation are received over CAN.
Hardwired Inputs
The IPC requires hardwired inputs from components that are not connected to CAN. These components are required for certain IPC functions.
Hardwired inputs are provided by the following components:
- Fuel pump assembly
- Fuel level sensor (all-wheel drive)
Test yourself
A quick Ford Fusion quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.