2012 FORD F150 brake

6.2L V8 ENGINE
1. Auxiliary switch circuit pass through circuits
2. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Engine coolant reservoir
6. Auxiliary power distribution box
7. Air filter assembly
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Power distribution box
10. Engine oil filler cap
11. Battery
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Engine/Transmission
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Hill descent mode
Hill descent allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed while
descending steep grades regardless of surface conditions. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter of yourOwner’s
Guidefor hill-descent related messages.
Hill descent control can maintain vehicle speeds on downhill grades
between 2 and 20 mph (3 and 32 km/h). Between 20 and 40 mph (32
and 64 km/h), the system remains enabled, but descent speed cannot be
set or maintained. If vehicle speed is above 40 mph (64 km/h), the
system is disabled. After this point, vehicle speed must drop below
40 mph (64 km/h), and the hill descent control button must be pressed
again to engage the feature.
WARNING:Hill descent mode does not provide hill hold at zero
mph (0 km/h). When stopped, the parking brake must be applied
and/or the vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it may roll away.
Hill descent control requires a cooling down interval after a period of
sustained use. The amount of time that the feature can remain active
before cooling varies with conditions. The system will provide a warning
in the message center and a chime will sound when the system is about
to disengage for cooling. At this time, manually apply the brakes as
needed to maintain descent speed.
Enabling hill descent control and setting the descent speed
1. Press and release the hill descent
button located on the floor console.
A light on the button will illuminate
and a one second chime will sound
when this feature is activated.
2. To increase descent speed, press the accelerator pedal until the
desired speed is reached.
3. To decrease descent speed, press the brake pedal until the desired
speed is reached.
Whether accelerating or decelerating, once the desired descent speed is
reached, remove your feet from the pedals and the chosen vehicle speed
will be maintained.
SeeMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter of yourOwner’s
Guidefor hill descent mode messages.
Driving
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Off-roading can be extremely dangerous and carries
inherent risks that may not be preventable even with the best
precautions. Ford strongly recommends driving within your ability and
taking every safety precaution, including those found here and at other
off-road driving organizations such as the Best in the Desert Racing
(www.bitd.com) and SCORE International Off-Road Racing.
Off-road screen
The real-time status of the Raptor’s off-road systems can be continuously
monitored using the first off-road screen found under the Truck Apps
menu in the message center.
SeeMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter of your Owner’s
Guide for more information.
Basic off-road driving techniques
•Grip the steering wheel with thumbs on the outside of the rim. This
will reduce the risk of injury due to abrupt steering wheel motions
that occur when negotiating rough terrain. Do not grip the steering
wheel with thumbs inside the rim.
•Throttle, brake and steering inputs should be made in a smooth and
controlled manner. Sudden inputs to the controls can cause loss of
traction or “upset” the vehicle, especially while on sloped terrain or
while crossing obstacles such as rocks or logs.
•Look ahead on your route noting upcoming obstacles, surface texture
or color changes or any other factors which may indicate a change in
available traction, and adjust the vehicle speed and route accordingly.
During pre-run, mark obstacles with GPS markers to ensure
appropriate speeds are used to avoid potential vehicle damage.
•When driving off-road, if the front or rear suspension is bottoming-out
and/or excessive contact with the skid-plates is encountered, reduce
vehicle speed to avoid potential damage to the vehicle.
•When running with other vehicles, it is recommended that
communication is used, and the lead vehicle notify other vehicles of
obstacles that could cause potential vehicle damage.
•Always keep available ground clearance in mind and pick a route that
minimizes the risk of catching the underside of the vehicle on an
obstacle.
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USA(fus)

•When negotiating low speed obstacles, applying light brake pressure in
conjunction with the throttle will help prevent the vehicle from jerking
and will allow you to negotiate the obstacle in a more controlled
manner. Using 4L will also help with this.
•Use and equip supplemental safety equipment as discussed later in
this chapter.
•Please consult your local off-road group for other helpful tips.
•Off-roading requires a high degree of concentration. Even if your local
law does not prohibit alcohol use while driving off-road, Ford strongly
recommends against drinking if you plan to off-road.
Driving in mud
•Deep mud should be approached with caution especially if you are
driving in an unfamiliar area.
•If possible, test the depth of a mud hole before entering with the
vehicle.
•Keep in mind that obstacles and deep ruts may be hidden beneath the
surface of the mud.
•Proceed in a steady, controlled manner through deep mud while
maintaining momentum.
•If momentum is lost and you feel the vehicle becoming stuck, turning
the steering wheel back and forth (“sawing the wheel”)
14turn in
each direction may give the traction you need to clear the muddy
area.
•In higher speed areas with shallow mud, directional control will be
reduced in the muddy area much like on snow or ice. When
approaching such an area, be sure to slow to a speed which allows you
to maneuver as required by the conditions.
Driving in sand
WARNING:Tires must be returned to normal recommended tire
pressures before driving on pavement or hard surfaces. Failure
to properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire
failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Driving
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2012 F-150(f12)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
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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)