2012 FORD F150 octane

Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor, beer
and wine. It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn
and sugar cane. When ethanol is produced for use in motor fuels, a small
amount of gasoline is added to make it unfit for beverage use. The
resulting ethanol blend is called denatured fuel ethanol meaning that it is
denatured with 2% to 5% gasoline and is suitable for automotive use.
During the summer season, fuel ethanol may contain a maximum of 85%
denatured ethanol (Ed85) and 15% unleaded gasoline. The fuel ethanol
has a higher octane rating than unleaded regular or premium gasoline
and this allows the design of engines with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 75% denatured ethanol (Ed75) and up
to 25% unleaded gasoline to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold
weather may require additional measures for reliable starting.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
WARNING:Flexible fuel components and standard unleaded
gasoline fuel components are not interchangeable. If your vehicle
is not serviced in accordance with flexible fuel vehicles procedures,
damage may occur and your warranty may be invalidated.
WARNING:When refueling always shut the engine off and
never allow sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never
smoke while refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain
conditions. Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
WARNING:The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can
produce static electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is
pumped into an ungrounded fuel container.
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Octane recommendations
3.7L V6/5.0L V8/6.2L V8 engines
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended.
3.5L V6 EcoBoost™ engine
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your authorized
dealer to prevent any engine damage.
FFV engine (if equipped)
If your vehicle is flex fuel capable, it is designed to use Fuel Ethanol
(Ed75–Ed85), “Regular” unleaded gasoline or any mixture of the two
fuels.
Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause powertrain
damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your warranty may be
invalidated.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do
switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible—at least half a tank. Do not add less than five gallons (18.9L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least 5 miles (8 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in
ethanol concentration.
If you exclusively use E85 fuel, it is recommended to fill the fuel tank
with regular unleaded gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Fuel quality
Unleaded gasoline engines
If you experience starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability problems
during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular” unleaded gasoline.
FFV engines
If you experience starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability problems
during a cold start, try a different brand of E85 fuel. If the driveability
problems continue, fill the vehicle with regular unleaded gasoline and
drive vehicle normally until gasoline is used. See your authorized dealer
if the problem persists.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It should
not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane rating. These
products have not been approved for your engine and could cause damage
to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket
product in your fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the right
fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8L) may be required.
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ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend taking
fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading may result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than three automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
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ENGINE DATA
Engine3.7L V6
Engine5.0L V8
Engine6.2L V8
Engine3.5L V6
EcoBoost™
Engine
Cubic
inches226 302 378 214
FuelMinimum
87 octane
or E85Minimum
87 octane
or E85Minimum
87 octaneMinimum
87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition
systemCoil on plug Coil on plug Coil on plug Coil on plug
Spark plug
gap.049-.053 in.
1.25-1.35 mm.049-.053 in.
1.25-1.35 mm.041-.047 in.
1.04-1.20 mm.033-.037 in.
.84-.94 mm
Compression
ratio10.5:1 10.5:1 9.8:1 10.0:1
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E
Electronic message center ...20, 31
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................347
running out of fuel .........347, 398
Emission control system ..........403
Engine ................................419–420
cleaning ...................................362
coolant .....................................385
fail-safe cooling .......................389
idle speed control ...................382
lubrication specifications .......415
refill capacities ........................415
service points ..................373–376
Engine block heater .................282
Engine oil ..................................378
checking and adding ..............378
dipstick ....................................378
filter, specifications ................414
refill capacities ........................415
specifications ..........................415
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................282
F
Fail safe cooling ........................389
Fleet MyKey programming ......136
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....392
Floor mats .........................122–123
Fluid capacities .........................415
Fog lamps ....................................82
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......312
description ..............................314
driving off road .......................319
electronic shift ........................313
indicator light .........................312preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................294
Fuel ............................................392
calculating fuel
economy ............................22, 400
cap ...........................................395
capacity ...................................415
choosing the right fuel ...........396
detergent in fuel .....................398
filler funnel .............................398
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................392, 395, 400
filter, specifications ........392, 414
fuel pump shut-off ..................328
improving fuel economy ........400
octane rating ...........397, 419–420
quality ......................................398
running out of fuel .........347, 398
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................392
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................392, 396–397
Fuses ..................................328–329
G
Garage door opener ..................116
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............395
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................400
Gauges .........................................18
H
Hazard flashers .........................327
Headlamps ...................................82
aiming ........................................84
autolamp system .......................82
bulb specifications ....................88
daytime running lights .............83
Index
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signal .......................................108
Moon roof ..................................114
Motorcraftparts ..............369, 414
MyKey ........................................136
N
Navigation system .......................67
O
Octane rating ............................397
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................378
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................136
Parking brake ............................285
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........414
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................178
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................109
Power adjustable foot pedals ...109
Power deployable running
boards ........................................109
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................329, 332
Power door locks ......................144
Power mirrors ...........................106
Powerpoint ................................100
Power steering ..........................292
fluid, checking and adding ....406
fluid, refill capacity ................415
fluid, specifications .................415Power Windows .........................103
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................294
R
Radio ......................................47, 49
6-CD in dash .............................49
Rear heated seats .....................176
Rear-view camera system .........306
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................211
Relays ........................................328
Remote entry system .......148–149
illuminated entry ....................152
locking/unlocking
doors ................................149–150
Remote start ...........................153
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................152
replacing the batteries ...........151
Remote start .............................153
Remote start climate
operation .....................................80
Reverse sensing system ...........304
Roadside assistance ..................326
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ....180, 182,
184–185, 188
Safety Canopy ...................203, 205
Safety defects, reporting ..........359
Safety restraints ...............180, 182,
184–185, 187–188
Belt-Minder...........................189
Index
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