2012 FORD F150 warning light

•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
distilled water to the FULL COLD level. For all other vehicles which have
a coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the COLD FILL RANGE or the FULL COLD level on the reservoir.
If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the radiator
until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50, drain
some coolant and adjust the concentration. It may take several drains
and additions to obtain a 50/50 coolant concentration.
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion/freeze protection characteristics of the
engine coolant and may cause engine damage.
•If available, refer to the chart on the coolant container to
ensure the coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide
adequate protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
WARNING:If fail-safe cooling activates, pull off the road as
soon as safely possible and turn the engine off. The engine may
automatically shut off while driving without further indication.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•
The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot) area.
•The mini message center (if equipped) will indicate “Check Gauges”,
refer toWarning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
•Thelight will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Engine fluid temperature management (if equipped)
WARNING:To reduce the risk of collision and injury, be
prepared that the vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle may
not be able to accelerate with full power until the fluid temperatures
reduce.
Your vehicle has been designed to pull a trailer, but because of the added
load, the vehicle’s engine may temporarily reach higher temperatures
during severe operating conditions such as ascending a long or steep
grade while pulling a trailer in hot ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice your engine coolant temperature gauge
needle move toward the H and the POWER REDUCED TO LOWER
TEMP message may appear on the message center.
You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
and other factors. If this occurs, there is no need to pull off the road.
The vehicle can continue to be driven while this message is active.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
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•The service engine soonindicator may come on. For more
information on the service engine soon indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
SeeSettingsin theInstrument Clusterchapter for information on
calculating DTE (Distance to empty).
Refilling with a portable fuel container
With the Easy Fuel“no cap” fuel system, use the following directions
when filling from a portable fuel container:
WARNING:Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the Easy Fuelsystem. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto
the ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious
personal injury.
WARNING:Do not try to pry open or push open the Easy Fuel
system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system
and its seal and cause injury to you or others.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
funnel included with the vehicle.
1. Locate the white plastic funnel. In
SuperCab and Super Crew vehicles,
it is located under the second row
driver side seat near the spare tire
tool box. On regular cab vehicles,
the funnel is located behind the
driver seat.
2. Slowly insert the funnel into the
Easy Fuelsystem.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel from the
portable fuel container.
4. When done, clean the funnel or properly dispose of it. Extra funnels
can be purchased from your authorized dealer if you choose to dispose
of the funnel.Do notuse aftermarket funnels; they will not work with
the Easy Fuelsystem and can damage it. The included funnel has been
specially designed to work safely with your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment. If you
smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraftor Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Illumination of the service engine soon indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Engine oil/coolant change intervals – 3.5L, 3.7L and 5.0L engines
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center: do not
exceed one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Engine oil/coolant change intervals – 6.2L engine
Engine oil6 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 45,000 miles (72,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
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A
Accessory delay ........................105
AdvanceTrac ..............................286
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................193–194, 202, 205
and child safety seats ............196
description ..............194, 202, 205
disposal ....................................208
driver airbag ....194, 197, 203, 206
indicator light .........202, 204, 208
operation .........194, 197, 203, 206
passenger airbag ............194, 197,
203, 206
side airbag ...............................202
Air cleaner filter .......408, 411, 414
Air conditioning ........68, 71, 73, 76
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................68
Ambient mood/lighting ...............87
Ambulance packages ....................6
AM/FM .........................................49
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................385
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................284
Anti-theft system ..............156, 158
arming the system ..........156, 158
disarming a triggered
system .....................................159
triggering .................................159
Armrests ....................................165
Audio system
(see Radio) ............................47, 49
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................299
fluid, adding ............................407fluid, checking ........................407
fluid, refill capacities ..............415
fluid, specification ..................415
Selectshift (SST) ....................301
Auxiliary input jack
(Line in) ......................................58
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........415
refill capacities ........................415
B
Battery .......................................382
acid, treating emergencies .....382
jumping a disabled battery ....347
maintenance-free ....................382
replacement, specifications
...414
servicing
..................................382
Bed extender
............................127
Belt-Minder
.............................189
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder
...........................191
Blind spot mirror
......................311
Booster seats
.............................227
Brakes
........................................284
anti-lock
...................................284
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light
...........................285
fluid, checking and adding
....406
fluid, refill capacities
..............415
fluid, specifications
.................415
lubricant specifications
..........415
parking
....................................285
shift interlock
..................295, 297
trailer
.......................................270
Bulbs
............................................88
Index
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flash to pass ..............................83
high beam .................................83
replacing bulbs .........................89
turning on and off ....................82
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .....................68, 71, 73, 76
Hood ..........................................372
I
Ignition .......................278, 419–420
Illuminated visor mirror .............97
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................213
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................405
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................365–366
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ............................................338
positioning ...............................338
storage .....................................338
Jump-starting your vehicle ......347
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................144
keypad .....................................154
locking and unlocking doors ..156
programming entry code .......154
Keys ...................................136, 157
positions of the ignition .........278L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................82
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................88
daytime running light ...............83
fog lamps ...................................82
headlamps .................................82
headlamps, flash to pass ..........83
interior lamps ...........................86
replacing bulbs ...................89, 93
LATCH anchors .........................220
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........285
Limited-slip axle .......................294
Loading instructions .................262
Load limits .................................255
Locks
autolock ...................................144
childproof ................................148
doors ........................................144
Lubricant specifications ...........415
Lug nuts ....................................346
Lumbar support, seats .....166–167
M
Message center .....................20, 31
english/metric button ...............24
system check button ................24
warning messages ...............24, 39
Mirrors ...............................105–106
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................105
fold away .................................107
heated ....................71, 73, 76, 107
programmable memory ..........150
side view mirrors (power) .....106
Index
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2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)