2012 FORD F150 steering wheel

•Front fenders with functional air extractors
•Seats with increased bolstering and unique covers
•Front and rear LED marker lamps
•Switch pack with “off-road mode” and “hill descent” buttons, and four
auxiliary switches
•Longer, cast aluminum lower control arms
•Longer, forged steel upper control arms
•Front coil springs and rear leaf springs
•Fox Racing 47 mm piston internal bypass front shocks
•Fox Racing 47 mm pistons, internal bypass, remote reservoir rear
shocks
•Micro-cellular urethane jounce bumpers (front and rear)
•Raptor navigation welcome screen
•17” cast aluminum wheels and 315/70-17 BFGoodrichall-terrain tires
•Full-size all-terrain spare tire
•Off-road specific calibrations for engine, transmission and
AdvanceTracsystem
•Instrument panel cluster graphics
•High line LCD cluster with unique SVT off-road screen
•Steering wheel - unique wrap with on-center marker, thumb pads, and
improved grip contour
F-150 SVT Raptor-specific features
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•(1) Front bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Active guidelines (will appear
in blue)
Active and fixed guidelines
The active guidelines show the path of intended forward motion of the
vehicle while in D (Drive). The fixed guidelines assist a driver to align
with an object in front of the vehicle.
To use active guidelines, turn the steering wheel and point the active
guidelines towards an intended path. If the steering wheel position is
changed, the vehicle might deviate from the original intended path.
The fixed and active guidelines will fade in and out depending on the
steering wheel position. When the steering wheel position is straight, the
active guidelines will be covered by the static guidelines and will not be
shown.
Always use caution while moving forward. Objects in the red zone (2)
are closest to your vehicle and objects in the green zone (4) are further
away. Objects are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the
green zone (4) to the yellow (3) or red zones (2). Use your forward
vision to get better coverage of the front the vehicle.
Note:Adjusting the brightness and contrast of the screen may help the
image on the screen become more clear. These settings can be adjusted
by pressing theSettingsmenu when the front camera is active.
The camera lens is located on the front grille. Keep the lens clean so the
video image remains clear and undistorted. Clean with the front camera
washer system, or with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
Note:If the front off-road mode camera system image is not clear or
seems distorted, it may be covered with water droplets, snow, mud or
any other substance. If this occurs, clean the camera lens before using
the camera system.
Driving
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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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•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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Soft sand and dunes present a very unique driving challenge. Before
going on such a drive, some research is advised regarding proven
techniques and pitfalls inherent in driving in deep sand. Some general
points to consider:
•It is very difficult and in many cases impossible to navigate deep sand
with tire pressures which are appropriate for on-road driving. If you
decide to “air down” your tires, be advised that the tire pressure
monitoring light will illuminate. The tires must be returned to normal
recommended tire pressures before driving on pavement or hard
surfaces.
•Lower tire pressures are more likely to cause a debeading of the tire
during cornering. Avoid sharp or abrupt turns when you have
extremely low tire pressures.
•To help prevent becoming stuck in deep sand, avoid spinning the tires
or making abrupt maneuvers. Proceed in a controlled manner while
maintaining vehicle momentum.
•Avoid stopping or parking on inclines as this makes it more difficult to
resume driving.
Driving in deep snow
•Maintain vehicle momentum.
•Apply the throttle very gently to avoid spinning the tires. Spinning the
tires will potentially dig the vehicle deeper into the snow.
•Drive in a controlled manner, avoiding aggressive steering wheel
movements, and keep braking to a minimum.
•Extremely deep snow may cause the vehicle tohigh centercausing
the vehicle to become stuck. Test the depth of the snow before trying
to drive through it.
Crossing obstacles
•Review the path ahead before attempting to cross any obstacle. It is
best if the obstacle is reviewed from outside the vehicle so that there
is a good understanding of terrain condition both in, front of, and
behind the obstacle.
•Approach obstacles slowly and slowly inch the vehicle over.
•If a large obstacle such as a rock cannot be avoided, choose a path
that places the rock directly under the tire rather than the
undercarriage of the vehicle. This will help prevent damage to the
vehicle.
•Ditches and washouts should be crossed at a 45 degree angle, allowing
each wheel to independently cross the obstacle.
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•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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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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