Page 3 of 405
Customer Assistance 335
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 341
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 342
Cleaning 343
Maintenance and Specifications 352
Engine compartment 354
Engine oil 357
Battery 360
Engine coolant 362
Fuel information 368
Air filter(s) 386
Part numbers 389
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 390
Engine data 394
Accessories 397
Index 399
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Table of Contents
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2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 10 of 405
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
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Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
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Page 13 of 405

bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
Note:Some warning lights are reconfigurable telltale (RTT) indicator
lights and will illuminate in the Message Center Display and function the
same as the warning light.
Service engine soon:The service
engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine
soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for
I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Electronic throttle control
(RTT) (if equipped):Displays
when the engine has defaulted to a
“limp-home” operation. Report the
fault to a dealer at the earliest
opportunity.
On vehicles equipped with a message center, “ENGINE FAILSAFE
MODE” will be displayed, refer toMessage centerin theDriver
Controlschapter.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Tachometer (if equipped):
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute. Driving with
your tachometer pointer
continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine.
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked by your authorized dealer.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the on position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The arrow next to the fuel pump
icon indicates which side of the
vehicle the fuel filler inlet is located.
For more information, refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Transmission fluid temperature gauge:If the gauge is in the:
Normal area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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With microphone
The mirrors will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior
rear view mirror since this may impair proper mirror
performance.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Note:If equipped with a reverse camera system, a video image will
display in the mirror or the Navigation system display (if equipped)
when the vehicle is put in R (Reverse). As you shift into any other gear
from R (Reverse), the image will remain for a few seconds and then turn
off. Refer toReverse camera systemin theDrivingchapter.
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Power side view mirrors (if equipped)
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
To adjust your mirrors:
1. Rotate the control clockwise to
adjust the right mirror and rotate
the control counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
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Driver Controls
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Note:10 or more switch activations within one minute, or repeated
folding/unfolding of the mirrors while holding the switch rearward during
full travel, may cause the system to disable the fold/unfold function to
protect motors from overheating. Should this occur, wait approximately
three minutes with the vehicle running and up to 10 minutes with the
vehicle off, for the system to reset and for function to return to normal.
Heated outside mirrors (if equipped)
Heated mirrors remove ice, mist and
fog. To activate the heated mirrors,
press the rear defrost button
R
located on the climate control panel.
Refer toRear window defrosterin
theClimate Controlschapter for
more information.
On vehicles not equipped with rear defrost, press the heated mirror
control
located on the climate control panel. For more information
refer to theClimate Controlschapter.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the Auto dimming feature, the
mirror glass is thicker and will take longer to defrost.
Do not remove ice from the mirrors with a scraper or attempt to
readjust the mirror glass if it is frozen in place. These actions
could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Exterior mounted mirror turn signal indicator (if equipped)
When the vehicle turn signal is
activated, the lower portion of the
mirror housing will blink.
This feature provides an indicator to
the driver that the vehicle turn
signal is working properly.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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STANDARD MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the on position, the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays important vehicle informationthrough a
constant monitor of vehicle systems.You may select display features on
the message center for a display of status preceded by a brief indicator
chime. The system will also notify you of potential vehicle problems with a
display of system warnings followed by a long indicator chime. If equipped
with an outside temperature display, it will display in the instrument
cluster all the time, except when a warning message is present.
Selectable features
Press and release the SELECT/RESET stem, located in the speedometer, to
scroll and reset the following functions. Select or reset the function by
pressing and holding the SELECT/RESET stem for more than two seconds.
Info menu
This menu displays the following:
•Odometer/Trip Odometer (Trip A and Trip B)
•Distance to Empty
•Average Fuel Economy
•Instantaneous Fuel Economy
•Hold Reset for Setup Menu
•Hold Reset for System check
•Blank
Odometer/Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Distance to empty (DTE)
Select this function to estimate
approximately how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition off
when refueling to allow this feature
to correctly detect the added fuel.
The DTE function will display XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW and
sound a chime for one second when you have approximately 50 miles
(80 km) to empty. If you RESET this warning message, this display and
chime will return within 10 minutes.
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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