P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Start the engine
2. Press the brake pedal
3. Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop
2. Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Overdrive) with Tow/Haul Off
D (Overdrive) with tow/haul off is the normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and
downshifts through gears one through six.
D (Overdrive) with Tow/Haul On
The tow/haul feature improves transmission operation when towing a
trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when
using tow/haul.
To activate tow/haul, press the
button on the end of the gearshift
lever.
Driving
284
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
The TOW HAUL indicator light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster.
Tow/haul delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission shifting.
Tow/haul also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the
transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position; this engine braking will
slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when
descending a grade. Depending on driving conditions and load
conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control
the vehicle speed when descending a hill, without the brake pedal being
pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon
the amount the brake pedal is pressed.
Tow/haul may be automatically activated (without pressing the tow/haul
button). This provides engine braking to assist the vehicles braking system
when going downhill and repetitive braking is sensed. Once the tow/haul
mode has been automatically activated it will not automatically deactivate.
To deactivate the tow/haul feature and return to normal driving mode,
press the button on the end of the gearshift lever. The tow/haul light will
no longer be illuminated.
Tow/haul will also deactivate when the vehicle is powered down for a few
minutes.
WARNING:Do not use the tow/haul feature when driving in icy
or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause
the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.
M (Manual) without Overdrive
With the gearshift lever in M (Manual), the driver can change gears up
or down as desired. This is called SelectShift Automatic™ transmission
(SST) mode. By moving the gearshift lever from drive position D
(Overdrive) to M (Manual) you now have control of selecting the gear
you desire using buttons on the shift lever.
To return to normal D (Overdrive) position, move the shift lever back
fromMtoD.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
Driving
285
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•The transmission will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; it
will downshift to a lower gear and then shift into 1 (First) when the
vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Overdrive).
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ transmission (SST)
gearshift lever
This vehicle is equipped with a SelectShift Automatic™ transmission
(SST) gearshift lever. The SST is an automatic transmission with the
ability for the driver to change gears up or down (without a clutch) as
desired.
Use the buttons on the shifter to
lock or unlock gears and manually
select gears. Press the + button to
upshift or the – button to downshift.
With the gearshift lever in D
(Drive), press the – button to active
SST. The available and selected
gears will be indicated on the
instrument cluster.
All available gears will be displayed with the current gear indicated.
Press the – button again to lock out gears beginning with the highest
gear. Example: press the – button twice to lock out 6th and 5th gears.
Only the available gears will be displayed and the transmission will
automatically shift between the available gears. Press the + button to
unlock gears.
Driving
286
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
By moving the gearshift lever from the D (Drive) position to the M
(Manual) position you may now manually select the gear you desire.
Only the current gear will be displayed. Press the + button or the –
button to upshift or downshift. If the – button is pressed at a vehicle
speed that would cause an engine overspeed, the requested gear will
flash then disappear and the transmission will remain in the current gear.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from: Gasoline engines Diesel engines
1 – 2 15 mph (24 km/h) 12 mph (19 km/h)
2 – 3 25 mph (40 km/h) 19 mph (31 km/h)
3 – 4 40 mph (64 km/h) 26 mph (42 km/h)
4 – 5 45 mph (72 km/h) 34 mph (55 km/h)
5 – 6 50 mph (80 km/h) 46 mph (74 km/h)
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which
may cause it to stall, the SST will still automatically make some
downshifts if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time.
Although the SST will make some downshifts for you, it will still allow
you to downshift at any time as long as the SST determines that the
engine will not be damaged from over-revving.
The SST will not automatically upshift, even if the engine is approaching
the RPM limit. It must be shifted manually by pressing the + button.
Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
Hill assist feature
The hill assist feature makes it easier to pull away when the vehicle is on
a slope without the need to use the parking brake. When the hill assist
feature is active, the vehicle will remain stationary on the slope for up to
two seconds after you release the brake pedal. During this time, you
have time to move your foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal and
pull away. The brakes are released automatically once the engine has
developed sufficient drive to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the
slope. This is an advantage when pulling away on a slope; for example
from a car park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill into a
parking space.
Driving
287
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:The hill assist feature does not replace the parking
brake. When you leave the vehicle, always apply the parking
brake and select first or reverse gear.
Using the hill assist feature
The hill assist feature is activated automatically when the vehicle is
stopped on a slope greater than five degrees. The hill assist feature
operates with the vehicle facing downhill if reverse gear is selected. The
hill assist feature will not operate if the parking brake is activated.
WARNING:You must remain in the vehicle once you have
activated the hill assist feature.
Activating the hill assist feature
1. Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.
Keep the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that the vehicle is on a slope, the hill assist
feature will be activated automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle will
remain on the slope without rolling away for approximately up to two
seconds. This hold time will automatically be extended if you are in the
process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will be released
automatically.
WARNING:If the engine is revved excessively, or if a
malfunction is detected when the hill assist feature is active, the
hill assist feature will be deactivated.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
Driving
288
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
REARVIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The rearview camera system,
located on the tailgate, provides a
video image, which appears in the
rearview mirror or on the navigation
screen (if equipped), of the area
behind the vehicle. It adds
assistance to the driver while
reversing or reverse parking the
vehicle.
To use the camera system, place the transmission in R (Reverse); an
image will display on the left portion of the rearview mirror or on the
navigation screen (if equipped). The area displayed on the screen may
vary according to the vehicle orientation and/or road condition.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Centerline of vehicle
Always use caution while backing.
Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the
green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone to
the yellow or red zones.
Use the side mirrors and rearview mirror to get better coverage on both
sides and rear of the vehicle.
Driving
291
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Shifting from 2H (2WD) to 4H (4x4 High)
Engage the locking hubs by rotating
the hub lock control from FREE to
LOCK, then move the transfer case
lever from 2H (2WD) to 4H (4x4
High) at a stop or a vehicle speed
below 3 mph (5 km/h).
•For proper operation, make
sure that both indicator
arrows on the hub are aligned,
and that both hubs are set to
LOCK.
•Do not shift into 4H (4x4
High) with the rear wheels
slipping.
•The vehicle should not be
driven in 4X4 High with the
hub locks disengaged as this
condition may damage
driveline system components.
Shifting from 4H (4x4 High) to 2H (2WD)
Move the transfer case lever to 2H
(2WD) at a stop or a vehicle speed
below 3 mph (5 km/h).
With the vehicle at complete stop,
disengage the locking hubs
(optional) by rotating the hub lock
control from LOCK to FREE.
•For proper operation, make
sure that both indicator arrows on the hub are aligned, and
that both hubs are set to FREE.
Shifting from 2H (2WD) or 4H (4x4 High) to 4L (4x4 Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop or a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
Driving
296
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
3. Move the transfer case shift lever
through N (Neutral) directly to 4L
(4x4 Low).
4. If the shift lever does not, or only
partially moves to the 4L (4x4 Low)
position, perform a shift with the
transmission in N (Neutral) and the
vehicle rolling at a speed below
3 mph (5 km/h). This will ensure the transfer case is fully engaged into
4L (4x4 Low).
Note:The vehicle should not be driven in 4X4 High with the hub locks
disengaged as this condition may damage driveline system components.
Shifting from 4L (4x4 Low) to 4H (4x4 High) or 2H (2WD)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop or a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral).
3. Move the transfer case shift lever
through N (Neutral) directly to 4H
(4x4 High) or 2H (2WD).
4. If the transfer casewill not
engage into 4H (4x4 High) or 2H
(2WD), perform a shift with the
transmission in N (Neutral) and the
vehicle rolling at a speed below
3 mph (5 km/h).
5. If shifting to 2H (2WD) with the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage
the locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK
to FREE.
Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case neutral
position overrides the
transmission and puts the
vehicle in neutral regardless of
transmission gearshift lever
position. The vehicle can move
forward or backwards.
This position should only be used
when towing the vehicle.2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
Driving
297
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)