2012 FORD F150 ECO mode

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.
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.
3 (Third) (column-shift only) (For vehicles without SST)
Transmission operates in third gear only.
Used for improved traction on slippery roads.
2 (Second)
Transmission operates in 2nd gear only.
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads.
1 (First)
•Transmission operates in 1st gear only.
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Drive) only.
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ transmission (SST)
gearshift lever (if equipped)
This vehicle may be 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. The SST feature has two modes: PRS and M mode.
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PRS (Progressive Range
Selection)
With the gearshift lever in D
(Drive), press the – button to active
PRS. 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 to allow the
transmission to shift to higher gears. The transmission will shift
automatically within the gear range you select.
M (Manual)
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 (Drive)
to M (Manual), you now have control of selecting the gear you desire
using buttons on the shift lever. 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.
To return to normal D (Drive) position, move the shift lever back from M
to D.
The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating
Shift from:
1 – 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 – 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 – 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
T/H
PR
N
D
M
2
1
+
-
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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
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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.
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Note:Momentarily releasing the accelerator pedal while performing a
shift will improve engagement/disengagement times.
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4X4 high mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
3. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
The message center will display4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESSduring the
shift. The message center will then display the system mode selected. If
any of the above shift conditions are not met, the shift will not occur and
the message center will display information guiding the driver through
the proper shifting procedures.
IfSHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARDis displayed in the message
center, transfer case gear tooth blockage is present. To alleviate this
condition, place the transmission in a forward gear, move the vehicle
forward approximately 5 feet (1.5 m), and shift the transmission back to
neutral to allow the transfer case to complete the range shift.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4x4 low mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
Using the ControlTrac 4WD system (if equipped)
This system includes an
electronically controlled transfer
case with a high capacity clutch.
The system is interactive with the
road, continually monitoring and
adjusting torque delivery to the
front and rear wheels to optimize
traction.
•2H (4X2)- delivers power to the
rear wheels only. This mode is
appropriate for normal on-road
driving on dry pavement and provides best fuel economy and
smoothness.
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•4A (Two-speed automatic 4WD)- provides electronic control
four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front and rear wheels, as
required, for increased traction. This is appropriate for all on-road
driving conditions, including as dry road surfaces, but is especially
useful on wet pavement, snow, dirt, or gravel.
•4H (4X4 HIGH)- provides electronically locked four-wheel drive
power to front and rear wheels. This position is not recommended for
use on dry pavement. This position is only intended for severe winter
or off-road 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. Use of 4H
(4X4 HIGH) on these surfaces may produce some noise (such as
occasional clunks), but will not damage drive components.
•
4L (4X4 LOW)- provides electronically 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. Use of 4L (4X4 LOW) on
these surfaces may produce some noise (such as occasional clunks), but
will not damage drive components.
Note:The AdvanceTrac system has the ability to take over control of the
transfer case clutch and disable it during driving maneuvers when necessary.
Shifting between 2H (4X2) and 4A (Two-speed automatic 4WD) or
4H (4X4 HIGH )
Move the control from 2H to 4A or 4H at a stop or while driving at any
forward speed. The message center may display4X4 SHIFT IN
PROGRESSduring the system shift. The message center will then display
4X4 AUTOif 4A has been selected or4X4 HIGHif 4H is selected. The
message center will momentarily display4X2if 2H has been selected.
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4X4 high mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
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Shifting between 4A (Two-speed automatic 4WD) and 4H (4X4 HIGH)
Move the control from 4A to 4H at a stop or while driving at any speed.
The message center will display4X4 AUTOif 4A has been selected and
4X4 HIGHif 4H has been selected.
Note:4x4 High mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 LOW)
1. Bring the vehicle to a rolling speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral).
3. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
The message center will display4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESSduring the
shift. The message center will then display the system mode selected.
If any of the above shift conditions are not met, the shift will not occur
and the message center will display information guiding the driver
through the proper range of shifting procedures.
IfSHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARDis displayed in the message
center, transfer case gear tooth blockage is present. To alleviate this
condition, place the transmission in a forward gear, move the vehicle
forward approximately 5 feet (2 meters), and shift the transmission back
to neutral to allow the transfer case to complete the range shift.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4x4 low mode is not intended for use on dry pavement
Electronic locking differential (ELD) (if equipped)
The electronic locking differential (ELD) is a device housed in the rear
axle which allows both rear wheels to turn at the same speed. The ELD
can provide additional traction should the vehicle become stuck. The
ELD is electronically activated by the driver and can be shifted on the fly
within the ELD operating speed range. It is intended for use in mud,
rocks, sand, or any off-road condition where maximum traction is
needed. It is not intended for use on dry pavement.
The ELD is affected by the following conditions:
•The ELD will not engage if the vehicle speed is above 20 mph
(30 km/h) in 4x2, 4x4 Auto, or 4x4 High modes.
•The ELD will not engage if the vehicle speed is above or 56 mph
(90 km/h) in 4X4 Low.
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Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can become
damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your vehicle
off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts.
For vehicles equipped with a 3.5L Ecoboost™ engine:
Your vehicle is equipped with an underbody transmission shield and
brackets that may become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance)
when taking your vehicle off-road. Remove the shield by disengaging the
fasteners at each corner of the shield. Then, remove the shield rear
brackets by removing the bracket to frame bolts, or have your authorized
dealer perform the work for you
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
•
Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
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