Page 3 of 448
Roadside Emergencies 319Getting roadside assistance 319
Hazard flasher control 320
Fuel pump shut-off 321
Fuses and relays 321
Changing tires 331
Wheel lug nut torque 347
Jump starting 348
Wrecker towing 351
Customer Assistance 353Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 359
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 360
Cleaning 361
Maintenance and Specifications 370Engine compartment 371
Engine oil 375
Battery 377
Engine coolant 379
Engine coolant check 379
Fuel information 386
Air filter(s) 405
Part numbers 410
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 411
Engine data 415
Accessories 419
Ford Extended Service Plan 421Table of Contents
3
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 101 of 448

• Two removable front cupholder
modules
• Removable false bottom tray for
accessing hidden storage
compartment (also has space for
a large cup)
WARNING: Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects
can injure you in a collision.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12V DC)
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet for this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Auxiliary power points can be found in the following locations:
• On the instrument panel (two locations)
• Inside the center console storage compartment (if equipped)
• On the rear of the center console (if equipped)
• Inside the 20-percent front seat console (if equipped)
• Inside the rear under seat storage compartment (if equipped)
Do not use the power point for operating the cigarette lighter element (if
equipped).
Note: Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter
socket (if equipped). Improper use of the lighter can cause damage not
covered by your warranty, and can result in fire or serious injury.
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the power point(s)
over the vehicle capacity of 12V DC/180W. If the power point or cigar
lighter socket is not working, a fuse may have blown. Refer to Fuses and
relays in the Roadside Emergencies chapter for information on
checking and replacing fuses. Driver Controls
101
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 114 of 448

For further information on the Navigation system/SYNC system, refer to
the Navigation System and SYNC supplements.
UPFITTER CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
the Upfitter option package which
will provide four switches, mounted
in the center of the instrument
panel, labeled AUX 1, AUX 2, AUX 3
and AUX 4. These switches will only
operate while the ignition is in the
on position, whether the engine is
running or not. It is, however, recommended that the engine remain
running to maintain battery charge when using the Upfitter switches for
extended duration or higher current draws. (This is even more important
for vehicles with diesel engines since the glow plugs are also draining
battery power when the ignition key is in the on position.)
When switched on by the operator they provide 8 amps, 12 amps or
20 amps of electrical battery power for a variety of personal or
commercial uses.
If your vehicle is equipped with this option, there will also be a relay box
located on the driver side end of the instrument panel. See your
authorized dealer for service.
The relays are coded as shown in
the accompanying illustration. RELAY
1RELAY
2RELAY
3RELAY
4
Driver Controls
114
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 285 of 448

PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING: Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING: In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility vehicles and trucks handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility vehicles and trucks are not designed for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than low-slung
sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed or abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity,
may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Do not overload
your vehicle and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower
speeds, avoiding abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased
stopping distance, when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading
or loading the vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability
and contribute to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relays in the Roadside Emergencies chapter.Driving
285
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 321 of 448

FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF
In the event of a moderate to severe collision, this vehicle is equipped
with a fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the flow of fuel to the
engine. Not every impact will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a collision due to this feature, you may
restart your vehicle by doing the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the off position and wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the on position.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to re-enable fuel pump.
Note: For vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, see the Diesel
supplement for additional Fuel Pump Shut-off reset instructions.
WARNING: Failure to inspect and if necessary repair fuel leaks
after a collision may increase the risk of fire and serious injury.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the fuel system be inspected
by an authorized dealer after any collision.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Note: Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire. 15
Roadside Emergencies
321
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 324 of 448
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
Location Fuse Amp
Rating Protected Circuits
1 30A Not used (spare)
2 15A Upfitter relay #4
3 30A Not used (spare)
4 10A Interior lights, Hood lamp
5 20A Moon roof
6 5A Driver seat module
7 7.5A Driver seat switch, Driver lumbar
motor
8 10A Power mirror switch
9 10A Upfitter relay #3
10 10A Run/accessory relay, Customer
access feed
11 10A Instrument cluster 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 19
20
21
22 33 41
42
43
44
4534
35
36
3723
24
25
26
27
28 38 46
39 4729 32
403130
48
49
Roadside Emergencies
324
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 325 of 448

Fuse/Relay
Location Fuse Amp
Rating Protected Circuits
12 15A Interior lighting, Lighted running
board lamps
13 15A Right turn signals and brake
lamps, Right trailer tow (TT) stop
turn relay
14 15A Left turn signals and brake lamps,
Left TT stop turn relay
15 15A High-mounted stop lamps, Backup
lamps, TT backup relay
16 10A Right low beam headlamp
17 10A Left low beam headlamp
18 10A Keypad illumination, Passive
anti-theft indicator (PATS),
Powertrain control module
(PCM), Brake shift interlock
19 20A Subwoofer
20 20A Power door locks
21 10A Brake on/off switch
22 20A Horn
23 15A Not used (spare)
24 15A Steering wheel control module,
Diagnostic connector, Power fold
mirror relay, Remote keyless entry
25 15A Not used (spare)
26 5A Steering wheel control module
27 20A Amplifier
28 15A Ignition switch
29 20A SYNC , GPS module, Radio
faceplate
30 15A Parking lamp relay, TT parking
lamp relayRoadside Emergencies
325
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
Page 326 of 448
Fuse/Relay
Location Fuse Amp
Rating Protected Circuits
31 5A Trailer brake controller (brake
signal), Customer access
32 15A Moon roof, Telescoping mirror
switch, Auto dimming mirrors,
Power invertor, Driver and
passenger door lock switch
illumination
33 10A Restraint control module
34 10A Not used (spare)
35 5A Select shift switch, Reverse park
aid module, Trailer brake control
module
36 10A Fuel tank select switch
37 10A PTC heater
38 10A Radio faceplate
39 15A High beam headlamps
40 10A Parking lamps (in mirrors), Roof
marker lamps
41 7.5A Passenger airbag deactivation
indicator
42 5A Not used (spare)
43 10A Wiper relay
44 10A Upfitter switches
45 5A Not used (spare)
46 10A Climate control
47 15A Fog lamps, Fog lamp indicator (in
switch)
48 30A Circuit
Breaker Power windows switch, Power
rear sliding window switch
49 Relay Delayed accessoryRoadside Emergencies
326
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)