2012 FORD F450 tow

Locks and Security 129Keys 129
Locks 137
Anti-theft system 149
Seating and Safety Restraints 153Seating 153
Rear seats 166
Safety restraints 168
Airbags 180
Child restraints 195
Tires, Wheels and Loading 216Tire information 219
Tire inflation 221
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 237
Vehicle loading 244
Trailer towing 252
Trailer brake controller-integrated 256
Recreational towing 263
Driving 265Starting 265
Brakes 271
Traction Control™ 274
AdvanceTrac  275
Hill descent control 281
Transmission operation 287
Reverse sensing system 296
Rear-view camera system 298Table of Contents
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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
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Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps toward this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, safety belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.Introduction
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Door ajar (RTT): Displays when
the ignition is in the on position and
any door is not completely closed.
Engine coolant temperature
(RTT): Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer
to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped): Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer to Inflating your tires in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for three seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light
does not turn on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
For more information on this system, refer to Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.
Hill descent (if equipped):
Displays when using the hill descent
mode. Refer to the Driving chapter
for transmission function and
operation.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(if equipped): Displays when the
Tow/Haul feature has been
activated. Refer to the Driving
chapter for transmission function and operation. If the light flashes
steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur.Instrument Cluster
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USA (fus)

Yellow area The transmission fluid is higher than normal operating
temperature. This can be caused by special operation conditions (i.e.
snowplowing, towing or off road use). Refer to Special operating
conditions in the scheduled maintenance information for instructions.
Operating the transmission for extended periods of time with the gauge
in the yellow area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area The transmission fluid is overheating. Stop the vehicle to allow
the temperature to return to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow or red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your authorized dealer.
4. Fuel gauge: Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank (when the ignition is in the on position). The fuel gauge may vary
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Refer to Filling the tank in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
5. Speedometer: Indicates the current vehicle speed.
6. Tachometer: Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine.
Odometer and trip odometer: The odometer is displayed on the lower
line in the message center and registers the total accumulated distance
the vehicle has traveled. For trip odometer, refer to Standard message
center or Optional message center in this chapter.
STANDARD MESSAGE CENTER
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with an informational message followed by a long indicator
chime.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster and the
controls are located on the steering wheel.Instrument Cluster
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ADVTRAC ON MYKEY SETTING (if equipped) — Displayed when a
MyKey  is in use when trying to disable the ESC system and the
optional setting is on. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and Security
chapter for more information.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC (if equipped) — Displayed when the
AdvanceTrac  system has detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TO STOP ALARM START VEHICLE (if equipped) — Displayed
when the perimeter alarm system is armed and the vehicle is entered
using the key on the driver’s side door. In order to prevent the perimeter
alarm system from triggering, the ignition must be turned to start or on
before the 12 second chime expires. See Perimeter alarm system in the
Locks and Security chapter.
SECURITY SYSTEM FAULT — Displayed when the security system
has detected a fault. See your authorized dealer for service.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped) — Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime if there are certain faults in the vehicle
wiring and trailer wiring/brake system. Refer to Trailer towing in the
Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped) — Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for
more information.
TRAILER CONNECTED (if equipped) — Displayed when a correct
trailer connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed during
a given ignition cycle. Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN = XX.X (if equipped) — Displays the
current gain setting for the trailer brake. Refer to Trailer towing in the
Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER (if equipped) — Displays the
current gain setting for the trailer brake when a trailer is not connected.
Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for
more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped) — Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime when a trailer connection becomes
disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally, and has been sensed
during a given ignition cycle. Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires,
Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.Instrument Cluster
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It is important to press RESET in order to reset the function after
setting the speed control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
For more information refer to Essentials of good fuel economy in the
Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
Fuel Hist.: Press the right arrow key (when in the Fuel Econ. menu) to
reach Fuel Hist. Fuel history shows fuel usage (AVG MPG or L/100km) as a
bar graph based on time. The duration time can be changed as follows:
Duration– Press the right arrow key (when in the Fuel Hist. menu) to
reach the following duration choices.
• 5 Minutes
• 10 Minutes
• 30 Minutes
• Last 5 Resets
Use the up/down arrows keys to highlight one of the choices; press and
hold OK to set your choice.
The graph is updated each minute with the fuel economy that was
achieved during the prior 5, 10, 30 minutes or last 5 resets of driving.
Truck Apps (if equipped)
In this mode, off-road and trailer towing application options are available.
Off Road*
Pitch and bank angle (in degrees). Displays the pitch angle (front to
rear) and bank angle (side to side) of the road surface.
Steering angle (in degrees). Displays the steering angle of the front
wheels after the vehicle has been driven for a period of time.
Differential lock/unlock. Displays the state (locked or unlocked) of the
electronic locking differential.
Energy flow. Displays the operating mode of the transfer case: 4X2,
4X4 Low or 4X4 High.
* If equipped—your vehicle may be equipped with some or all of these
options.
When “Press OK for info” is displayed, pressing OK will give you
information on the following options if equipped ( Note: Information is
only available when traveling less than 3 mph [5 km/h]):
• ELD (electronic locking differential)
• Hill Descent ControlInstrument Cluster
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Trailer*
Delete Trailer Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to show currently stored trailers. Use the up/down
arrows to highlight the trailer you want to delete
and press OK to delete. Follow the on-screen
prompts to exit or confirm delete.
Information
Screen Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display information on the following vehicle
features: Tow Haul mode, Trailer Brake Controller.
Rename Trailer Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display saved or default trailers. Use the up/down
buttons to highlight a trailer and press OK to select
it. Use the up/down arrow buttons to change the
characters as needed. When done, press OK to
accept the change.
Reset Trailer
Mileage /
Kilometers (if
equipped) Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to display accumulated distance on a given trailer
within the list of trailer(s). Use the up/down buttons
to select a trailer, then press and hold OK to reset
the trailer mileage (kilometers).
* If equipped—your vehicle may be equipped with some or all of these
options.
Settings
In this mode, you can configure different driver setting choices. Press
the right arrow key (when in the Settings menu) to reach the Driver
Assist menu:
Driver Assist*
Rear Park Aid On/Off
Rear View
Camera Camera Delay
Trailer Brake
Mode Electric or Elect. Over Hydraulic
Trailer Sway
Control On/OffInstrument Cluster
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Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)