
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
Introduction
11
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GAUGES
Base cluster with automatic transmission shown; metric similar.
Uplevel clusters similar.
1.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 at your authorized dealer.
2.Engine coolant temperature gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating temperature, the needle will be in the
normal range (between H and C).If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
3.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
65
1234
Instrument Cluster
18
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

System check and vehicle feature customization
Press the SETUP button repeatedly
to cycle the message center through
the following features:
RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK
When this message appears, press
the RESET button and the message
center will begin to cycle through
the following systems and provide a
status of the item if needed.
Note:Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.
1. XXX% OIL LIFE
2. DOOR STATUS
3. BRAKE SYSTEM
4. FUEL LEVEL LOW
5. TBC GAIN = XX.X
NO TRAILER (if equipped and no trailer connected)
6. TBC GAIN = XX.X
OUTPUT = ////// (if equipped and trailer connected)
7. MYKEY DISTANCE (if programmed)
8. MYKEY(S) PROGRAMMED
9. ADMIN KEYS PROGRAMMED
OIL LIFE
This displays the remaining oil life.
SETUP
RESET INFO
SET
RSM CNCL
RESET
INFO
SETUP ON
OFF
SETUP
RESET INFO
SET
RESET
INFO
SETUP ON
OFF
RSM CNCL
Instrument Cluster
22
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when an oil change is
required.
XX%ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON—Displayed when an oil change
will soon be required and shows the percentage of oil life left.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESS— Displayed when the 4X4 system is
making a shift. For further information, refer toFour-wheel drive
(4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,
refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed
when 2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
27
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Vehicle
Autolamp Delay Off or XXX seconds
DTE Calculation
(distance to
empty)Normal History Used
Towing History Used
Easy Entry/Exit On/Off
Locks Autolock, On/Off
Autounlock On/Off
Unlocking One Stage or Two Stage
Menu ControlStandard: with standard set, pressing the down
arrow from a lower level menu will escape to the
main menu.
Memory On: with memory on set, pressing the
down arrow will navigate to the previous lower
level menu.
Oil Life Reset Set to XXX% (Press and hold OK to set).
Power Running
BoardsAuto/Off/Out
Remote StartClimate ControlFront Defrost
Auto/Off Rear Defrost
Driver Seat
Passenger Seat
Heater-A/C Auto/ Last
Setting
Duration 5, 10 or 15 minutes, Off
Quiet Start On/Off
System Enable/Disable
Wiper ControlCourtesy Wipe On/Off
Rain Sensing
wipersOn/Off
Instrument Cluster
37
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

System Check
Oil Life
Doors
Brakes
Tire Pressure
Trailer Brake
Ctrl.Gain and Output (when trailer is connected)
No trailer (when no trailer is connected)
Trailer Sway
Park Aid Check Rear Park Aid
Fuel Level (distance to empty)
Some items will only display during a system check if a problem has
been detected. If an issue exists on one of the monitored systems, the
message center will display the number of warnings that need immediate
attention in red and the number of informational warnings will be listed
in amber. Use the up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the list; press
the right arrow button to display specific information on the highlighted
warning.
Transmission indicator display
The transmission gear indicator displays in the right side of the message
center when using the SelectShift Automatic™ transmission feature. This
display will not be shown in all screen modes. For example: when
programming certain vehicle features or in certain information menus.
System warnings and status messages
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages.
Types of messages and warnings:
•Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
•Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
•Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
Instrument Cluster
39
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been disabled by th e driver.
ADVANCETRAC ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been enabled by the driver.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
POWER REDUCED TO LOWER ENGINE TEMP— Displayed when
the engine temperature gauge needle moves to H. You may notice
reduced engine power. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter for more information.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 5% to 1%.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Instrument Cluster
41
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level dipstick. See
Identifying components in the
engine compartmentin this
chapter for location of dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level isbetween the lower and upper holes or between
the MIN and MAX marks (depending on application),the oil
level is acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the lower hole or the MIN mark, add enough
oil to raise the level within the lower and upper holes or within the
MIN-MAX range.
•Oil levels above the upper hole or the MAX mark may cause engine
damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized
dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
375
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)