Locks and Security 133
Keys 133
Locks 140
Anti-theft system 153
Seating and Safety Restraints 157
Seating 157
Safety restraints 172
Airbags 189
Child restraints 203
Tires, Wheels and Loading 226
Tire information 228
Tire inflation 231
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 244
Vehicle loading 251
Trailer towing 258
Trailer brake controller-integrated 265
Recreational towing 270
Driving 272
Starting 272
Brakes 278
AdvanceTrac280
Transmission operation 293
Reverse sensing system 298
Rear-view camera system 300
Roadside Emergencies 321
Getting roadside assistance 321
Hazard flasher control 322
Fuel pump shut-off 323
Fuses and relays 323
Changing tires 332
Wheel lug nut torque 340
Jump starting 341
Wrecker towing 345
Table of Contents
2
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
“limp-home” operation or when a transmission problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. If the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
The message center will also display ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. Refer to
Message centerin this chapter.
Check 4X4 (RTT) (if equipped):
Displays with the message CHECK
4X4 when a four-wheel drive fault is
present.
Refer toMessage centerin this chapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position.
If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek
service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrument Cluster
14
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more information on
this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(RTT and static) (if equipped)):
Displays when the Tow/Haul feature
has been activated. Refer to the
Drivingchapter for transmission function and operation. If the light
flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control
(if equipped):Displays when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more
information.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control
off light (if equipped):Illuminates
when AdvanceTrac/Traction control
has been disabled by the driver.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for
more information.
4X2 (RTT) (if equipped):
Displays momentarily when
two-wheel drive high is selected. If
the light fails to display when the
ignition is turned on, or remains on,
have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Four-wheel drive low (RTT) (if
equipped):Displays when
four-wheel drive low is engaged. If
the light fails to display when the
OFF
4x2
4x4
LOW
Instrument Cluster
16
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)
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
4.Transmission fluid temperature gauge:If the gauge is in the:
Normal areaThe transmission fluid is within the normal operating
temperature (between H and C).
Yellow areaThe transmission fluid is higher than normal operating
temperature. This can be caused by special operation conditions (i.e.
snowplowing, towing or off-road use). Refer toSpecial operating
conditionsin thescheduled maintenance informationfor instructions.
Operating the transmission for extended periods of time with the gauge
in the yellow area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red areaThe transmission fluid is overheating. Stop the vehicle to allow
the temperature to return to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow or red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your authorized dealer.
5.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
6.Tachometer:Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine.
Odometer and trip odometer:The odometer is displayed on the lower
line in the message center and registers the total accumulated distance
the vehicle has traveled. For trip odometer, refer toBase message
centerorUplevel message centerin this chapter.
BASE MESSAGE CENTER
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with an informational message followed by a long indicator
chime.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster.
Instrument Cluster
19
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
LOW BATTERY LESS FEATURES (if equipped)— Displayed when
the battery management system detects an extended low-voltage
condition. Various vehicle features will be disabled to help preserve the
battery. Turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible to
improve system voltage. If the system voltage has recovered, the disabled
features will operate again as normal.
CHECK REAR PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transmission is in R (Reverse). Refer toReverse sensing systemin the
Drivingchapter.
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.
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.
CHECK FUEL FILL INLET— Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may
not be properly closed. Refer toEasy Fuel™ “no cap” fuel systemin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been disabled by the driver.
ADVANCETRAC ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the
AdvanceTracsystem has been enabled by the driver.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been enabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
CHECK 4X4 (if equipped)— Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is
present. For more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD)
operationin theDrivingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
26
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
HILL CNTRL OFF SYSTEM COOLING (if equipped)— Displayed
when a hill descent system fault is present.
FOR OFF ROAD SLOW TO 5 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
the vehicle speed requirement for off-road mode entry has not been met.
OFF ROAD MODE ENABLED (if equipped)— Displayed when
off-road mode becomes active.
EXITING OFF ROAD MODE (if equipped)— Displayed when
off-road mode becomes inactive.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL ACTIVE (if equipped)— Displayed
when hill descent control mode becomes active.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when
hill descent control mode becomes inactive.
FOR HILL CNTRL 20 MPH OR LESS (if equipped)— Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for hill control mode entry has not
been met.
DRIVER RESUME CONTROL (if equipped)— Displayed when the
hill control and off-road mode require the driver to resume control.
FOR HILL CNTRL SELECT GEAR (if equipped)— Displayed when
the driver is requested to select a transmission gear to enable operation
of the hill mode and off-road mode.
COAST DOWN MODE (if equipped)— Displayed when vehicle
enters coast down mode.
UPLEVEL MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with a informational messages and/or warnings.
The message center is also used to program/configure the different
features of your vehicle.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster. Use the
steering wheel mounted buttons to navigate through the message center.
Instrument Cluster
30
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Gauge Mode
Gauge Detail:In this mode, the following options are available in
different graphical formats:
•Transmission temperature.
•Blank screen.
Trip A/B
In this mode, Trip A or B registers the following:
•Trip time — shows the elapsed trip time. This timer will stop when
the vehicle is turned off and will restart when the vehicle is restarted.
•Trip distance — shows the accumulated trip distance.
•Fuel used — shows the amount of fuel used for a given trip.
•Average MPG (L/100km) — shows the average distance traveled per
unit of fuel used for a given trip.
•Odometer — shows the vehicle’s total accumulated distance. This
value cannot be reset.
Press the right arrow key to reach Trip B. Press the left arrow to go back
to Trip A.
Press OK to pause the Trip A or B screen/press again to un-pause.
Press and hold OK to reset the currently displayed trip information.
Fuel Economy
In this mode, fuel economy information is displayed as follows:
•Instant MPG (L/100km) — shows instantaneous fuel usage.
•Miles (kilometers) to empty — shows the approximate distance the
vehicle can travel before running out of fuel.
•Average MPG (L/100km) — shows the average fuel usage based on
time. See Fuel Hist. following to change the time interval. Press and
hold OK to reset this value.
If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing miles traveled by
gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled), your
figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:
•Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up.
•Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations.
•Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another.
Instrument Cluster
32
2011 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)