2012 FORD F150 4WD

SuperCab
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7800 (3538)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9400 (4264)
2WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L3.15 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
3.55 15200 (6895) 9600 (4355)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package
and Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
5.0L3.31 13500 (6123) 7900 (3583)
3.55 14900 (6759) 9300 (4218)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9600 (4355)
4WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8200 (3719)
3.55/3.73 15400 (6985) 9600 (4355)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package
and Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73/4.10 17100 (7756) 11200 (5080)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7600 (3447)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9200 (4173)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9300 (4218)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
266
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SuperCrew
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350) 8500 (3856)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9800 (4445)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 16900 (7666) 11300 (5126)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035) 5700 (2585)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 8000 (3629)
3.73 14900 (6759) 9400 (4264)
6.2L
(Harley-Davidson™)3.73 13500 (6123) 7500 (3402)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8200 (3719)
3.55/3.73 15500 (7031) 9700 (4400)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73/4.10 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7700 (3493)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9300 (4218)
6.2L
(Harley-Davidson™)3.73 13500 (6123) 7300 (3311)
6.2L (SVT Raptor) 4.10 14700 (6668) 8000 (3628)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11100 (5035)
2WD 157” wheelbase
3.5L3.15 14000 (6350) 8400 (3810)
3.55 15300 (6940) 9700 (4400)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17000 (7711) 11300 (5126)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11300 (5126)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
267
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SuperCrew
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb (kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7900 (3583)
3.73 14900 (6759) 9300 (4218)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9500 (4309)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11200 (5080)
4WD 157” wheelbase
3.5L3.31 14000 (6350) 8000 (3629)
3.55/3.73 15500 (7031) 9600 (4354)
3.5L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73/4.10 17100 (7756) 11200 (5080)
3.5L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 11100 (5035)
5.0L3.55 13500 (6123) 7500 (3402)
3.73 15100 (6849) 9100 (4128)
5.0L (Heavy
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940) 9200 (4173)
6.2L (Max Trailer
Tow Package)3.73 17100 (7756) 10900 (4944)
Note:When taking into consideration trailer frontal area, ensure not to
exceed:
•Base vehicle frontal area without the Trailer Tow Package or the
Heavy Payload Package.
•60 ft
2(5.57 m2) with the Trailer Tow Package or the Heavy Payload
Package.
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.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
268
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter.
Follow these guidelines if you need to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The guidelines are designed to prevent
damage to your vehicle and its transmission after it is hooked-up to the
tow vehicle or tow dolly.
2WD vehiclescannot be towed with any wheels on the ground as
vehicle or transmission damage may occur. The vehicle must be towed
with all four wheels off the ground (i.e. with a car-hauling trailer).
4WD vehiclescan only be towed with all wheels on the ground by
placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the
four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform the steps outlined in the
Four-wheel-down towingsection after positioning your vehicle behind
the tow vehicle and properly securing them together
Four-wheel-down towing
1. Turn the ignition to the on position; do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the 4WD switch to 2H.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Rotate the 4WD switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times
within seven seconds.
•If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displaysNEUTRAL
TOW LEAVE IN NorNEUTRAL TOW ENABLED LEAVE
TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, indicating that the vehicle is safe
to tow with all wheels on the ground.
•If the message is not shown in the display, the procedure must be
performed again from the beginning.
•An audible noise may be heard as the transfer case shifts into its
neutral position; this is normal.
6. Leave the transmission in N (Neutral) and turn the ignition as far as it
will go toward the off position (it will not turn fully off when the
transmission is in N [Neutral]). The key must be left in the ignition while
towing. To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad or
extra set of keys.
7. Release the brake pedal.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
276
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

AdvanceTracwith RSCFeatures
Button
functionsStability
control OFF
lightRSCESC TCS
Button pressed
again after
deactivationNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled Enabled
Transfer case
switched to
4WD Low
Locked
3
Illuminated Disabled Disabled Disabled4
1
TCS could be enabled but with higher entry thresholds compared to full
system. ESC entry thresholds are higher compared to full system.
2Lamp light starts blinking for three seconds after entering press and
hold state.
3Control switch is not pressed. Stability control light turned on when
4WD low locked transfer case mode selected.
4Engine traction control and two-wheel spin brake traction control
functions are disabled. Single wheel spin traction control is always
enabled.
Trailer sway control
Your vehicle is equipped with trailer sway control. When properly
equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s AdvanceTracwith
RSCsystem to detect and help reduce trailer sway by applying brake
force at individual wheels and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
WARNING:Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from
swaying, it mitigates the sway from increasing once it has
occurred. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is likely that the trailer
is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight or the speed of the
vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer over to a safe
location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue load and
reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN.Note:When trailer sway control is
activated, cruise control is disabled.
Driving
291
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

All engines
If the steering wanders or pulls equipped with either an EPS or a
hydraulic steering system, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited-slip axle functions like a standard rear axle. The axle may exhibit
a slight noise or vibration in tight turns with low vehicle speed. This is
normal behavior and indicates the axle is working.
Electronic locking differential (ELD) (if equipped)
The electronic locking differential provides added traction on slippery
and/or off-road surfaces, particularly when one wheel is on a poor
traction surface. In normal driving conditions, the rear axle functions as
a standard axle. The ELD may be locked or unlocked by the vehicle
operator. Refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationsection in this
chapter for further details on ELD function and usage. When the axle is
unlocked, it will function like a standard rear axle. When the axle is
locked, it will not allow the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds
when turning. The ELD axle is not recommended for use on good
traction surfaces such as dry pavement. Doing so may result in abnormal
driving behavior while cornering and excessive tire wear.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground clearance,
giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Driving
294
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein
this chapter.
Note:If 4X4 low is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph
(5 km/h), the 4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and
should be no reason for concern. Refer toShifting to/from 4L (4X4
Low)for proper operation.
4WD indicator lights
The indicator lights illuminate in the message center in the
reconfigurable telltale (RTT) location under the following conditions.
Refer toWarning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
•4X2- Momentarily illuminates
when 2H is selected.
•4X4 AUTO- Continuously
illuminates when 4A is selected
(ControlTrac 4WD vehicles only)
•4X4 HIGH- Continuously
illuminates when 4H is selected.
•4X4 LOW- Continuously
illuminates when 4L is selected.
•CHECK 4X4- Displays when a
4X4 fault is present.
Note:When a 4X4 system fault is present, the system will typically
remain in whichever 4X4 mode was selected prior to the fault condition
occurring. It will not default to 4X2 in all circumstances. When this
warning is displayed, have your vehicle serviced by an authorized dealer.
4x2
4x4
AUTO
4x4
HIGH
4x4
LOW
Driving
312
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Using the electronic shift on the fly (ESOF) 4WD system (if equipped)
2H (4X2)- Delivers power to the
rear wheels only. This mode is
appropriate for normal on-road
driving and provides the best fuel
economy and smoothness.
4H (4X4 HIGH)- provides
mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power to the front and rear
wheels. This position is not
recommended for use on dry
pavement. This position is only
intended for off-road or winter conditions, such as deep snow, ice or
shallow sand.
Note:Do not use 4H (4X4 HIGH) on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so
can produce excessive noise and increased tire wear. 4H (4X4 HIGH) is
only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces.
4L (4X4 LOW)- Provides mechanically locked four-wheel drive when
extra power at reduced speeds is required. This position is not
recommended for use on dry pavement. Use this position for off-road
low-speed operation or when extra power is required, such as climbing
steep grades, going through deep sand or pulling a boat out of the water.
4L (4X4 LOW) will not engage while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph
(5 km/h); this is normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer to
Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 LOW) for proper operation.
Note:Do not use 4L (4X4 LOW) on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so
can produce excessive noise and increased tire wear. 4L (4X4 LOW) is
only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces.
Shifting between 2H (4X2) and 4H (4X4 High)
Move the 4WD control between 2H (4X2) and 4H (4X4 HIGH) at any
forward speed. The message center will display4X4 SHIFT IN
PROGRESSduring the system shift.4X4 HIGHwill display in the
message center if 4H is selected and4X2will momentarily display in the
message center if 2H is selected.
IfSHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARDis displayed in the message
center during the mode shift, transfer case gear tooth blockage is
present. To alleviate this condition, place the transmission in a forward
gear and move the vehicle forward approximately 5 feet (2 meters) to
allow the transfer case to complete the mode shift.
Driving
313
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)