2012 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS towing

Introduction 3
Instrument Cluster 10
Warning lights and chimes 10
Gauges 13
Message center 16
Lights 20
Headlamps 20
Turn signal control 21
Bulb replacement 21
Driver Controls 22
Windshield wiper/washer control 22
Steering wheel adjustment 22
Speed control 23
Tires, Wheels and Loading 25
Tire information 25
Tire inflation 27
Vehicle loading 42
Trailer towing 48
Driving 51
Starting 51
Brakes 54
Transmission operation 58
Roadside Emergencies 64
Getting roadside assistance 64
Hazard flasher control 65
Fuses and relays 66
Changing tires 74
Wheel lug nut torque 79
Jump starting 80
Wrecker towing 83
Table of Contents
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Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps toward this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, safety belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
Introduction
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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 fuel icon and arrow indicate
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
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”).
Yellow area(warning) — the
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 the
scheduled 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.
Instrument Cluster
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REDUCED ENGINE POWER— Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY— Displayed when the engine is overheating.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine. If the
warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or continues to come
on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
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.
LOW OIL PRESSURE— Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low.
If this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANS TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the transmission
fluid is overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads
or when driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of
time. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and
let the transmission cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
Instrument Cluster
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Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
Cargo Weight– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)– is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)– is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment,
passengers and cargo).The GVWR is shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label located on the B-Pillar or the
edge of the driver’s door. The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
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GCW (Gross Combined Weight)– is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight– is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult
your authorized dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guide
provided by your authorized dealer) for more detailed
information.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
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Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635–340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 -
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x
99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for
12-100 lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity
to transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each
weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12
x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
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TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following chart and the
maximum frontal area of the trailer must not exceed 60 ft
2(5.6 m2):
Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GVWR - lb (kg)Maximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
4.30 16000 (7257) 23000 (10432) 7000 (3175)
4.30 18000 (8165) 23000 (10432) 5000 (2268)
4.88 19500 (8845) 26000 (11793) 6500 (2894)
5.38 20500 (9299) 26000 (11793) 5500 (2500)
5.38 22000 (9979) 26000 (11793) 4000 (1814)
6.17 24000 (10886) 30000 (13608) 6000 (2721)
6.17 26000 (11793) 30000 (13608) 4000 (1814)
For high altitude operation reduce GCW by 2% per 1000 ft (300 m)
elevation. To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for your
particular vehicle as equipped, follow the sectionVehicle loading -
with and without a trailerin this chapter.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
Hitches
You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15% of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Weight-distributing hitch
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender, this is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender a second time, this is H2.
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