Page 95 of 448
10. For the headlamp bulb, remove
the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
11. For the park or turn lamp bulb,
remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing brake/tail/turn/back-up lamp bulbs (pick-ups only)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off,
then open the tailgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
tail lamp assembly and carefully pull
the lamp assembly from the tailgate
pillar by releasing the two retaining
tabs.
Lights
95
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 123 of 448

WARNING (Continued)
•To install floor mats, position the floor mat so that the eyelet is over
the retention post and press down to lock in.
•To remove the floor mat, reverse the installation procedure.
TAILGATE LOCK
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
tailgate lock designed to help
prevent theft of the tailgate.
•Insert ignition key and turn to the
right to engage lock.
•Turn ignition key to the left to
unlock.
Tailgate Removal
WARNING:Always properly secure cargo to prevent shifting
cargo or cargo falling from vehicle, which could result in
compromised vehicle stability and serious personal injury to vehicle
occupants or others.
Your tailgate is removable to allow more room for loading.
Note:If equipped with a rearview camera system, do Steps 1 through 3
before removing the tailgate.
1. Before removal of the tailgate,
locate and disconnect the tailgate
in-line connector under the pickup
box on the passenger side of the
vehicle near the spare tire.
2. Install a protective cap (tethered
to the wire assembly) onto the
in-line rearview camera system
connector that remains under the
pickup box.
Driver Controls
123
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 124 of 448

3. Partially lower tailgate and carefully feed tailgate harness up through
the gap between the pickup box and the bumper. Place the tailgate
harness out of the way under the pickup box.
4. Lower the tailgate.
5. Using a screwdriver, gently pry
the spring clip (on each connector)
past the head of the support screw.
Disconnect cable.
6. Disconnect the other cable.
7. Lift tailgate to a 45-degree angle
from horizontal.
8. Lift right side off of its hinge.
9. Lift tailgate to a 80-degree angle from horizontal.
10. Remove tailgate from left side hinge by sliding tailgate to the right.
To install, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
Tailgate Step (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a feature that allows easier entry into
the truck bed. To open the tailgate step:
1. Flip down the tailgate.
2. Pull the yellow latch lever to the
unlock position (
) to release the
grab handle from its stowed position
and raise the handle upright until
you feel it latch and see the latch
lever in the lock position (
). The
yellow lever only needs to be used
when releasing the grab handle.
Driver Controls
124
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 125 of 448

3. Rotate the center molding to
unlatch the tailgate step and pull it
towards you to extend it.
4. Flip open the step panel to widen
the step.
Note:To reduce risk of falling:
•Operate step only when the
vehicle is on level surface.
•Operate step only in areas with
sufficient lighting
•Always open flip panel to widen step.
•Always use grab handle when stepping up and down.
•Step not intended for bare-footed use.
•Keep step clean from contamination before use (e.g. snow, mud)
•Keep the step load (you + load) below 350 lb (159 kg).
•Never drive with step deployed.
To close the tailgate step:
1. Close the step panel, then lift and fully close the tailgate step into the
tailgate.
2. Slide the latch at the bottom of the handle, then lower the handle.
Note:
•Fully close and latch the tailgate step before moving the vehicle.
•Never drive with the step or grab handle deployed.
•Replace slip resistance tape (serviceable item) if worn out.
•Replace handle molding (serviceable item) if damaged.
•Do not tow with grab handle or step frame.
Driver Controls
125
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 126 of 448
Bed extender (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo management feature in the
truck bed.
Note:This feature is not intended for off-road usage.
To open the bed extender into tailgate mode:
1. Pull the locking pin toward the
center of the vehicle.
2. Open the latches to release the
panels.
3. Rotate the panels toward the
tailgate.
Repeat Steps 1–3 for the other side of the bed extender.
Driver Controls
126
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 127 of 448
4. Connect the two panels, then rotate both knobs a quarter-turn
clockwise to secure the panels.
5. Ensure the latch rod is inserted
into the tailgate hole and the locking
pins on both sides are engaged into
their holes in the pick-up box.
6. Reverse steps for storage of the
bed extender.
Note:When the vehicle is in motion, ensure the locking pins and knobs
are fully engaged.
Note:Ensure all cargo is secured.
Note:When the vehicle is in motion, the tailgate load must not exceed
150 lb (68 kg).
Note:The bed extender should always be kept in the grocery mode or
stowed position with the tailgate closed when not being used for the
purpose of restraining cargo in the tailgate mode.
Driver Controls
127
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 128 of 448
To open the bed extender into grocery mode, follow Steps 1–4 by
rotating the panels away from the tailgate. Close the tailgate.
Driver Controls
128
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)
Page 297 of 448

The RSS detects obstacles up to
6 feet (2 meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.
While receiving a warning the radio
volume may be reduced to a
predetermined level. After the
warning goes away, the radio will return to the previous volume.
The RSS may have reduced performance or an increased chance of false
detection if the tailgate is not locked and in the upright position. If the
tailgate is down, the RSS tone may be heard intermittently or
continuously. The tone may also be heard if items in the truck bed
protrude rearward outside the bed.
The RSS automatically turns on when the gearshift lever is placed in R
(Reverse) and the ignition is on. A control in the message center allows
the driver to disable the system. Refer toMessage centerin the
Instrument Clusterchapter for more information.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™ restricted
featuresin theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a fully integrated electronic trailer
brake controller (TBC) and a trailer with electric trailer brakes is
connected to your vehicle, the RSS will be disabled. When the vehicle is
shifted into reverse, the message center display will remain in the Rear
Park Aid Off selection. For more information on the TBC, refer to the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Driving
297
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA(fus)