Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective. Also, see the information on tow/haul mode operation
underAutomatic transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to the components.
•Affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
275
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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
459
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
