2012 FORD F150 tow

Locks and Security 136
Keys 136
Locks 144
Anti-theft system 156
Seating and Safety Restraints 160
Seating 160
Personal Safety System™ 177
Safety belt system 180
Airbags 193
Child restraints 209
Tires, Wheels and Loading 230
Tire information 233
Tire inflation 235
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 248
Vehicle loading 255
Trailer towing 263
Trailer brake controller-integrated 270
Recreational towing 276
Driving 278
Starting 278
Brakes 284
AdvanceTrac286
Transmission operation 299
Reverse sensing system 304
Rear-view camera system 306
Roadside Emergencies 326
Getting roadside assistance 326
Hazard flasher control 327
Fuel pump shut-off 328
Fuses and relays 328
Changing tires 338
Wheel lug nut torque 346
Jump starting 347
Wrecker towing 350
Table of Contents
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PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps toward this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, safety belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
Introduction
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Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more information on
this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(RTT and static) (if equipped)):
Displays when the Tow/Haul feature
has been activated. Refer to the
Drivingchapter for transmission function and operation. If the light
flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control
(if equipped):Displays when the
AdvanceTrac/Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more
information.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control
off light (if equipped):Illuminates
when AdvanceTrac/Traction control
has been disabled by the driver.
Refer to theDrivingchapter for
more information.
4X2 (RTT) (if equipped):
Displays momentarily when
two-wheel drive high is selected. If
the light fails to display when the ignition is turned on, or remains on,
have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Four-wheel drive low (RTT) (if
equipped):Displays when
four-wheel drive low is engaged. If
the light fails to display when the
ignition is turned on, or remains on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
OFF
4x2
4x4
LOW
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3.Fuel gauge:Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank (when the ignition is in the on position). The fuel gauge may vary
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
4.Transmission fluid temperature gauge:If the gauge is in the:
Normal areaThe transmission fluid is within the normal operating
temperature (between H and C).
Yellow areaThe transmission fluid is higher than normal operating
temperature. This can be caused by special operation conditions (i.e.
snowplowing, towing or off-road use). Refer toSpecial operating
conditionsin thescheduled maintenance informationfor instructions.
Operating the transmission for extended periods of time with the gauge
in the yellow area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red areaThe transmission fluid is overheating. Stop the vehicle to allow
the temperature to return to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow or red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your authorized dealer.
5.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
6.Tachometer:Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine.
Odometer and trip odometer:The odometer is displayed on the lower
line in the message center and registers the total accumulated distance
the vehicle has traveled. For trip odometer, refer toBase message
centerorUplevel message centerin this chapter.
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CHECK 4X4 (if equipped)— Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is
present. For more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD)
operationin theDrivingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is malfunctioning. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when an oil change is
required.
XX%ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON—Displayed when an oil change
will soon be required and shows the percentage of oil life left.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESS— Displayed when the 4X4 system is
making a shift. For further information, refer toFour-wheel drive
(4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,
refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed
when 2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
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TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD (if equipped)— May display
when shifting to or from 4X4 LOW. For more information, refer to
Four-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
NEUTRAL TOW LEAVE IN N (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transfer case is in the neutral position. This message indicates that the
vehicle is safe to be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transfer case is NOT in the neutral position. This message indicates that
the vehicle is NOT safe to be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when
training the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN LEFT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TIRES NOT TRAINED – REPEAT (if equipped)— Displayed when
an error occurs while training the TPMS system. Refer toTPMS reset
procedurein theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
TRAINING COMPLETE (if equipped)— Displayed when training of
the TPMS system is complete. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
MYKEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed at startup when
MyKeyis in use. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter
for more information.
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer toMyKeyin
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
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Truck Apps (if equipped)
In this mode, off-road information depicted with graphics and trailer
towing application options are available.
*Off Road
Pitch and bank angle (in degrees): Displays the pitch angle (front to rear) and
bank angle (side to side) of the road surface.
Steering angle (in degrees): Displays the steering angle of the front wheels
after the vehicle has been driven for a period of time.
Differential lock/unlock: Displays the state (locked or unlocked) of the
electronic locking differential.
Torque flow: Displays the torque flow to the front and rear driveline and
operating mode of the transfer case: 4X2, 4X4 High, 4X4 Low, 4X4 Auto.
AdvanceTracmode, hill descent control, off-road mode, off-road camera:
Displays which modes are active.
Press OK for Info 4X4 System
AdvanceTrac
4X4 Auto
ELD (Electronic Locking Differential)
Hill Descent Control
Off-Road Mode
Off-Road Camera
*Off Road Camera
Camera Disabled /
EnabledPress OK to Enable /Disable
* If equipped—your vehicle may be equipped with some or all of these
options.
*Trailer:
Trailer disconnected. Disregard this status if your vehicle is not equipped with a
factory installed trailer brake controller. This message may appear when an
aftermarket TBC is used even when the trailer is connected.
Active trailer name or default trailer
Accumulated trailer distance
Trailer gain and output
Press OK
for optionsOptions
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*Trailer:
Change Active
TrailerWhen this is highlighted, press the right arrow key to
change the currently selected trailer. Use the up and
down arrows to select a trailer and press the OK
button to choose the highlighted trailer.
Adding a new trailer– Use the up/down arrows to
highlight “New Trailer” from the Change Active Trailer
menu and press the right arrow key to enter the New
Trailer input screen. Use the up/down arrow keys to
choose alpha, numeric and symbol characters and then
press the right arrow to move the character space over.
Continue adding characters as needed. Press the left
arrow to go back and change a previously selected
character. When finished with the new trailer name,
press OK to accept the new trailer name.
Connection
Checklist (if
equipped)Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to show the trailer connection types: Conventional,
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck. Use the up/down arrows
to highlight one of these choices and press OK to
display the connection checklist. Follow the on-screen
instructions to go through the connections list.
Delete Trailer Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to show currently stored trailers. Use the up/down
arrows to highlight the trailer you want to delete and
press OK to delete. Follow the on-screen prompts to
exit or confirm delete.
Information
ScreenPress the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display information on the following vehicle features:
Tow Haul mode, Trailer Brake Controller.
Rename Trailer Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display saved or default trailers. Use the up/down
buttons to highlight a trailer and press OK to select it.
Use the up/down arrow buttons to change the
characters as needed. When done, press OK to accept
the change.
Reset Trailer
Mileage /
Kilometers (if
equipped)Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display accumulated distance on a given trailer
within the list of trailer(s). Use the up/down buttons to
select a trailer, then press and hold OK to reset the
trailer mileage (kilometers).
* If equipped—your vehicle may be equipped with some or all of these
options.
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