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Value Shopping for Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Needs
Your dealership recognizes the competitive landscape of maintenance and
light repair automotive services. With factory-trained technicians, and
one-stop service from routine maintenance like oil changes and tire
rotations to repairs like brake service, check out the value your dealers
can offer.
Owner checks and services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in this owner’s
guide.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or fluids used.
Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oil (6.2L/6.8L)*6 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, initial
change6 years or 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 45,000 miles (72,000 km)
*If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to the diesel
supplement for engine oil/coolant change schedules
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 444 of 448

Engine oil ..................................375
checking and adding ..............375
dipstick ....................................375
filter, specifications ........376, 410
recommendations ...................376
refill capacities ........................411
Event data recording ....................9
Exhaust fumes ..........................269
F
Fail safe cooling ........................384
Fleet MyKey programming ......129
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....386
Floor mats .........................122–123
Fluid capacities .........................411
Fog lamps ....................................88
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......301
driving off road .......................307
electronic shift ................301, 306
indicator light .........................302
lever operated shift ................303
manual locking hubs ..............301
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................285
Fuel ............................................386
calculating fuel
economy ............................25, 393
cap ...........................................389
capacity ...................................411
choosing the right fuel ...........390
detergent in fuel .....................392
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................386, 389, 393
filter, specifications ................386
fuel pump shut-off ..................321
improving fuel economy ........393
octane rating ...................391, 415
quality ......................................391running out of fuel .................392
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................386
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................386, 390–391
Fuses ..................................321–322
G
Garage door opener ..................116
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............389
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................393
Gauges .........................................21
H
Hazard flashers .........................320
Headlamps ...................................87
aiming ........................................90
autolamp system .......................87
daytime running lights .............89
flash to pass ..............................88
high beam .................................88
replacing bulbs .........................94
turning on and off ....................87
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................78, 81
Hill descent mode .....................281
Hill start assist ..........................294
Hood ..........................................371
I
Ignition ...............................265, 415
Illuminated visor mirror .............99
Index
444
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 445 of 448

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................199
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................398
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................365–366
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................89
J
Jack ............................................331
positioning ...............................331
storage .....................................331
Jump-starting your vehicle ......348
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................137
keypad .....................................148
locking and unlocking doors ..149
programming entry code .......148
Keys ...................................129, 150
positions of the ignition .........265
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................87
daytime running light ...............89
fog lamps ...................................88
headlamps .................................87
headlamps, flash to pass ..........88
instrument panel, dimming .....89
interior lamps ...........................92
replacing bulbs ...................94–97
LATCH anchors .........................206
Lights, warning and indicator ....14anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........272
Loading instructions .................251
Load limits .................................244
Locks
autolock ...................................137
childproof ................................141
doors ........................................137
Lug nuts ....................................347
Lumbar support, seats .....160–161
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................411
Message center ...............22–23, 39
english/metric button ...............27
system check button ................27
warning messages ...............29, 48
Mirrors ...............................105–106
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................105
fold away .........................107–109
heated ........................................81
programmable memory ..........143
side view mirrors (power) .....106
signal .......................................109
Moon roof ..................................115
Motorcraftparts ......................410
MyKey ........................................129
N
Navigation system .......................77
O
Octane rating ............................391
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................375
Index
445
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 448 of 448
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......14
Washer fluid ..............................374
Water, Driving through .............315
Windows
power .......................................103Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................98
checking and adding fluid
.....374
replacing wiper blades
...........374
Wrecker towing
.........................351
Index
448
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)