2012 FORD F150 steering

Hill climbing
•Always attempt to climb a steep hill along the fall line of the slope and
not diagonally.
•If the vehicle is unable to make it up the hill, DO NOT attempt to turn
back down the slope. Place the vehicle in low range and slowly back
down in reverse. Note that hill descent control is functional in reverse
and should be used in this situation.
WARNING:Extreme care should be used when steering the
vehicle in reverse down a slope so as not to cause the vehicle to
swerve out of control.
•When descending a steep slope, select low gear and engage hill
descent control. Use the throttle and brake pedals to control your
descent speed as described earlier in this section using hill descent
control.
Water wading
Your vehicle is designed to operate in water depths up to 30 inches.
However, as the water depth increases, vehicle speed must be reduced to
avoid potential vehicle damage.
•Always determine the depth before attempting a water crossing.
•Proceed slowly and avoid splashing water any more than is necessary.
•Be aware that obstacles and debris may be beneath the water’s
surface.
•Keep the doors fully closed during the water crossing.
•Upon completion of the water crossing, slowly drive a short distance
and check the brakes for full effectiveness.
Driving
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

It is important that you take the time to become familiar with the
controls and dynamics of your vehicle before attempting higher speed
off-roading. Some points to consider:
•Build up speed slowly. Initially, drive at a pace which allows ample
time to fully assess the terrain around you and to understand how the
vehicle is responding to both the terrain and driver inputs. Increase
pace as comfort increases while always being mindful of how the
vehicle is responding to various events at different speeds.
•Find a wide open place to experiment with different functions on the
truck. Try a given maneuver with different vehicle settings (4H vs.
4L), (differential locked vs. unlocked), (AdvanceTrac in key-on vs.
single press vs. press and hold modes) and see how the truck
responds. Start slowly and build pace as comfort increases.
•Similarly, in a wide open space, experiment with different driving
techniques. For example, if the vehicle is tending to push straight
ahead when trying to negotiate a turn (understeering or plowing), a
light application of the brake while turning may help rotate the truck.
A wider entry to the corner or entering the corner more slowly may
help the truck turn and allow you to apply the throttle sooner after
negotiating the turn.
•Remember the phrasesmooth is fast. This refers to your steering,
throttle, and brake movements. Smooth decisive movements will yield
improved results while helping to increase safety.
•As speed increases, it is wise to look farther ahead of the vehicle so
that there is time to react to oncoming obstacles. Remember that in
many off-road environments, obstacles will be hard to see until they
are relatively near. A good strategy is to alternate between looking far
ahead and up closer to the front of the vehicle as you’re driving.
•Also remember todrive what you can see. This refers to not driving
faster than you are able to negotiate unforeseen upcoming obstacles.
This could refer to obstacles over a brow, in a ravine, in brush, in
dusty conditions, and in the darkness among others.
•If you are driving in a dusty area. Be sure to leave ample distance
between you and any other vehicles to ensure adequate vision.
•Always remember that you may not be the only one in a particular
recreational area, always be cognizant of others in your area. This is
especially true of motorcycles and ATV’s which may be more difficult
to spot than a full-sized vehicle.
•If driving in desert conditions, it is advised that you always drive with
your headlights on to help other drivers more easily see you.
Driving
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•While driving in desert conditions, the midpoint of the day is the most
difficult time to see many of the small ridges and dips due toflat
shadowsfrom the sun being at its highest point. Extreme care should
be taken at these times to not inadvertently run into these obstacles.
•It is highly encouraged that you switch to off-road mode and perform
anAdvanceTrac single pressto ensure improved off-road braking
performance under these conditions. Be sure to disengage the
off-road modeand switch back toAdvanceTrac key-on modebefore
performing any street driving. Please see the Off-road mode section of
this supplement for more details.
After off-road driving
It is important to complete a full vehicle inspection after off-road driving.
Some items to check include:
•Ensure that tires are inflated to proper tire pressure as indicated on
the tire placard.
•Check the wheels and undercarriage for built up mud or debris which
can cause vehicle vibration.
•Ensure that the grille and radiator are clear of any obstructions that
may affect cooling.
•Ensure that the brakes are in proper working order and free of any
mud, stones etc., which can become trapped around the brake rotor,
backing plate and caliper.
•Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
•Inspect for torn or punctured boots on ball joints, half shafts, steering
gears.
•Inspect exhaust system for damage or looseness.
•Inspect undercarriage fasteners. If any are loose or damaged, tighten
or replace ensuring that the proper torque specification is used.
•Inspect the tires for any cuts in the tread or sidewall area. Also
inspect the sidewall for any bulge indicating damage to the tire.
•Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks, or other damage.
Driving
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

IMPORTANT TIRE INFORMATION
Your SVT vehicle is equipped with unique wheels and tires designed to
enhance performance and appearance. To continue providing this
performance, extra care must be taken when operating and maintaining
your vehicle.
TIRES
Your SVT vehicle is equipped with high performance, all-terrain tires that
are designed to optimize handling, steering and braking to provide the
performance you expect in an SVT vehicle. These tires are optimized for
both on and off-road performance, and their ride, noise and wear
characteristics are different than other tires. Also, because of their
aggressive tread profile, it is important that you maintain your tires
properly.
•Always maintain your tire pressures according to the tire information
placard located on the driver’s door B-pillar, using an accurate gauge.
Note:If tire pressure has been reduced for off-road use, the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light will then activate in
the instrument panel as a reminder to reinflate the tires before
returning to the road.
Remember to be prepared to re-inflate your tires before returning to
the road. If a tire filling station is not available, remember to prepare a
supplemental means to inflate the tires, such as a portable
compressor.
WARNING:Always re-inflate tires to recommended tire
pressures before the vehicle is operated on-road. The
recommended pressure is located on the tire placard label or safety
certification label, located on the B-pillar, inside the driver’s door.
WARNING:Always check tires and wheels for damage before
returning to the road. Off-road use may cause damage to your
tires and wheels that could result in tire failure.
•Tire pressures are specified “cold” and should be checked after the
vehicle has been parked for at least three hours. Do not reduce
pressure of warm tires.
•Check your tire pressure often to maintain it properly. Tire pressure
can diminish over time and fluctuate with temperature.
Tire Information
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)