2012 FORD F550 belt

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
6
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Event Data Recording
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle; this data will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or the brake pedal; and
• How fast the vehicle was travelling; and
• Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel.
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Note: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial
crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data or information
(e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded (see
limitations regarding 911 Assist and Traffic, directions and
Information privacy below). However, parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required,
and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the
vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement,
that have such special equipment, can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. Ford Motor Company
and Ford of Canada do not access event data recorder
information without obtaining consent, unless pursuant to court
order or where required by law enforcement, other government
authorities or other third parties acting with lawful authority.
Other parties may seek to access the information independently
of Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada. Introduction
9
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety Belt Airbag - Front
Airbag - Side Child Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
Anchor Brake System
Anti-Lock Brake System Parking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based Parking Aid System
Stability Control System Speed Control
Master Lighting Switch Hazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-Front Fuse Compartment
Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/Demist Rear Window
Defrost/DemistIntroduction
12
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

WARNING: Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
Airbag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to on, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. A chime will sound if there is a malfunction in the
indicator light.
Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder 
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
the Seating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder  chime feature.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
If it stays on while the engine is
running, there may be a malfunction
with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Engine oil pressure (RTT and
static warning light): Displays
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer to Engine oil
in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.ABSInstrument Cluster
17
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

TIRES NOT TRAINED – REPEAT (if equipped) — Displayed when
an error occurs while training the TPMS. Refer to TPMS reset procedure
in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
TRAINING COMPLETE (if equipped) — Displayed when training of
the TPMS is complete. Refer to TPMS reset procedure in the Tires,
Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped) — Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to the Driving
chapter for more information.
INTKEY COULD NOT PROGRAM — Displayed when an attempt is
made to program a fifth integrated key to the remote keyless entry
system. For more information on integrated key, refer to the Locks and
Security chapter.
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM — Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer to MyKey  in
the Locks and Security chapter for more information.
VEHICLE SPEED 80 MPH MAX — Displayed when a MyKey  is in
use and the Admin has enabled the MyKey speed limit and the vehicle
speed is 80 mph (130 km/h). Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and
Security chapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MPH — Displayed when starting the vehicle
and MyKey  is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer to MyKey 
in the Locks and Security chapter for more information.
CHECK SPEED DRIVE SAFELY — Displayed when a MyKey  is in
use and the optional setting is on and the vehicle exceeds a preselected
speed. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and Security chapter for more
information.
VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED — Displayed when a MyKey  is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and Security
chapter for more information.
TOP SPEED MYKEY SETTING — Displayed when a MyKey  is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is 80 mph
(130 km/h). Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and Security chapter for
more information.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO — Displayed when a MyKey  is in
use and Belt-Minder  is activated. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and
Security chapter for more information. Instrument Cluster
31
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

TRAIN SPARE TIRE (if equipped) — Displayed when training the
TPMS. Refer to TPMS reset procedure in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter for more information.
TRAINING COMPLETE — Displayed when training of the TPMS
system is complete. Refer to TPMS reset procedure in the Tires, Wheels
and Loading chapter for more information.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT — The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error; service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING — The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW — The power steering system
has detected a condition that requires service immediately.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO — Displayed when a MyKey  is in
use and Belt-Minder  is activated. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and
Security chapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped) — Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to the Driving
chapter for more information.
CHECK 4X4 (if equipped) — Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is
present. For more information, refer to Four-wheel drive (4WD)
operation in the Driving chapter.
4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESS (if equipped) — Displayed when the 4X4
system is making a shift. For further information, refer to Four-wheel
drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW APPLY BRAKE (if equipped) — Displayed when
trying to select 4X4 LOW. For more information, refer to Four-wheel
drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped) — Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
to Four-wheel drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped) — Displayed when
4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,
refer to Four-wheel drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW APPLY BRAKE (if equipped) — Displayed when
2WD is selected from 4X4 LOW mode. For more information, refer to
Four-wheel drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.Instrument Cluster
55
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

MyKey  restricted features
Standard settings – These settings cannot be changed
• The audio system will be muted whenever Belt-Minder  is activated
until the safety belts are buckled. Refer to the Seating and Safety
Restraints chapter for a detailed description of Belt-Minder  operation.
• Low fuel warnings are displayed in the message center followed by a
chime when the vehicle has only 1/8 tank of fuel.
• If equipped, any of the following: parking aid, Blind Spot Information
System (BLIS  ) with cross traffic alert and forward collision warning
systems cannot be turned off.
Optional settings – These settings can be changed
• Vehicle speed is limited to 80 mph (130 km/h). Visual warnings are
displayed followed by a chime when the vehicle speed has reached
80 mph (130 km/h).
• Visual warnings are displayed followed by a chime when a preselected
vehicle speed of 45, 55 or 65 mph (75, 90, or 105 km/h) is exceeded.
• The maximum volume of the audio system is limited to 45%. MYKEY
VOLUME LIMITED will be displayed in the radio or navigation screen
(if equipped) when attempting to exceed the limited volume.
• The AdvanceTrac  system cannot be turned off. When this optional
setting is on, the MyKey  user will not be able to deactivate the
system. Note: It may be beneficial to deactivate the AdvanceTrac 
system if the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand.
Create a MyKey 
To program MyKey  on one of the keys programmed to the vehicle,
insert the key that you want to make a MyKey  into the ignition. (For
vehicles equipped with push button start, put the intelligent access key
in the backup slot with the buttons facing out of the slot; see the
Driving chapter for the location of the backup slot.) Turn the ignition
on. Use the message center buttons to do the following:
For standard message center:
1. Press SETUP until PRESS RESET TO CREATE MYKEY is displayed.
2. Press and release the RESET button. HOLD RESET TO CONFIRM
MYKEY will be displayed.
3. Press and hold the RESET button for two seconds until MARK THIS
AS RESTRICTED is displayed.
4. Wait until KEY RESTRICTED AT NEXT START is displayed.Locks and Security
130
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

FRONT SEATS
WARNING: Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to
slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal
injuries in the event of a collision.
WARNING: Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to
reduce the risk of injury in a collision or sudden stop.
WARNING: Before returning the seatback to its original
position, make sure that cargo or any objects are not trapped
behind the seatback. After returning the seatback to its original
position, pull on the seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An
unlatched seat may become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or
collision.
WARNING: Never adjust the driver’s seat or seatback when the
vehicle is moving.
WARNING: Always drive and ride with your seatback upright
and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.
Adjustable head restraints
Your vehicle is equipped with front row outboard head restraints that are
vertically adjustable.
WARNING: To minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a
crash, the driver and passenger occupants should not sit in
and/or operate the vehicle, until the head restraint is placed in its
proper position. The driver should never adjust the head restraint
while the vehicle is in motion. Seating and Safety Restraints
153
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)