Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water
leak) are:
• Water puddle inside the lamp
• Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Function Number
of bulbs Trade number
Headlamps 2 H13/9008
Park/Turn lamp 2 3157NA
Sidemarker 2 W5W
Tail/stop/turn/sidemarker (pick-up only) 2 3157
Tail/stop/turn/sidemarker (chassis cabs
only; if equipped) 2 3157
Back-up (pick-ups only) 2 921
Back-up (chassis cabs only) 2 3157
High-mount brake lamp 1 912
Fog lamp 2 9145
License plate lamp 2 194
Cargo lamp 2 912
Map lamp 2 12V6W
Dome/reading lamps 3 578
Interior visor lamp (if equipped) 4 194
Mirror turn signal 2 2825
Mirror clearance lamp 2 2825
*Front clearance lamps (2) and front
identification lamps (3) 5 194
*Rear fender clearance 4 LED**
*Rear identification 3 193**
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer
* Dual rear wheels, or if equipped.
** See your authorized dealer to replace the lamp assembly. Lights
93
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
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)
3. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove from lamp
assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing brake/tail/turn/back-up lamp bulbs (chassis cabs only)
(if equipped)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the four screws and the
lamp lens from lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the bulb straight
out of the socket and push in the
new bulb.
Replacing cargo lamp and high-mount brake lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the screws and lamp
assembly from the vehicle as wiring
permits.
3. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.Lights
96
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
CNCL (Cancel)/RSM (Resume):
Press to cancel or resume a set
speed.
ON/OFF: Press to turn the system
on or off.
– SET +: Press to set a speed or to
decrease or increase a set speed.
The speed control system uses two indicator lights in the instrument
cluster:
• an amber indicator light which illuminates when the system is on, and
• a green indicator light which illuminates when the system is engaged.
Setting speed control
To set speed control:
1. Press and release ON.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET +.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. The green indicator light on the instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
• Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
• If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
• If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Disengaging a set speed
To disengage speed control, tap the brake pedal or press and release
CNCL.
Disengaging the speed control will not erase the previous set speed.
Resuming a set speed
Press and release RSM. This will automatically return the vehicle to the
previously set speed. O N /
O F FC N C L
R S M
- S E T +
Driver Controls
111
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
While you are fastened in the safety belt, the combination lap/shoulder
belt with a cinch tongue adjusts to your movement. However, if you
brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the safety belt will become locked and help reduce
your forward movement.
Restraint of pregnant women
WARNING: Always ride and drive with your seatback upright and
the safety belt properly fastened. The lap portion of the safety belt
should fit snug and be positioned low across the hips. The shoulder
portion of the safety belt should be positioned across the chest. Pregnant
women should also follow this practice. See figure below.
Pregnant women should always
wear their safety belt. The lap belt
portion of a combination lap and
shoulder belt should be positioned
low across the hips below the belly
and worn as tight as comfort will
allow. The shoulder belt should be
positioned to cross the middle of
the shoulder and the center of the
chest.
Safety belt locking modes
All safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder
belts. The driver safety belt and the optional front and rear center seat
safety belt have the first locking mode described below only. All outboard
passenger and outboard rear safety belts have both types of locking
modes described as follows:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the retractor is designed to lock if the webbing is pulled out
too quickly. If this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull webbing
out again in a slow and controlled manner.Seating and Safety Restraints
172
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic
service station gauges may be inaccurate. Ford recommends the use of a
digital or dial-type tire pressure gauge rather than a stick-type tire
pressure gauge.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire
performance and wear. Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
Always inflate your tires to the Ford recommended inflation pressure
even if it is less than the maximum inflation pressure information found
on the tire. The Ford recommended tire inflation pressure is found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver’s seating position), or Tire Label which is located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your vehicle handles.
Note: Do not reduce tire pressure to change the ride characteristics of
the vehicle. If you do not maintain the inflation pressure at the levels
specified by Ford, your vehicle may experience a condition known as
“shimmy”. Shimmy is a severe vibration and oscillation in the steering
wheel after the vehicle travels over a bump or dip in the road that does
not dampen out by itself. Shimmy may result from significant
under-inflation of the tires, improper tires (load range, size, or type), or
vehicle modifications such as lift-kits. In the event that your vehicle
experiences shimmy, you should slowly reduce speed by either lifting off
the accelerator pedal or lightly applying the brakes. The shimmy will
cease as the vehicle speed decreases.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure is the tire manufacturer’s
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure
which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed
to either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that
meets the door-latch post, next to the driver’s seating position), or Tire
Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door.
The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than the
recommended pressure on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or
Tire Label.Tires, Wheels and Loading
222
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
• The TBC interacts with the brake system of the vehicle, including
ABS, in order to reduce the likelihood of trailer wheel lock-up;
therefore, if these systems are not functioning properly, the TBC may
not function at full performance.
• Your vehicle’s brake system and the trailer brake system work
independently of each other; changing the GAIN setting on the TBC
does not affect the operation of your vehicle’s brakes whether a trailer
is attached or not.
• When the vehicle is turned off, the TBC output is disabled and the
display is shut down; turning the ignition from off to on awakens the
TBC module.
• The TBC is only a factory- or dealer-installed item; Ford is not
responsible for warranty or performance of the TBC due to misuse or
customer installation.
• Do not attempt removal of the TBC without consulting the
Workshop Manual; damage to the unit may result.
Trailer Lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking-up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 km) of trailer towing and don’t make full-throttle starts.
• Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
• Activate the tow/haul feature to eliminate excessive transmission
shifting and assist in transmission cooling. For additional information,
refer to Automatic transmission operation in the Driving chapter.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.Tires, Wheels and Loading
260
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)
STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— shuts off the engine and all
accessories/locks the steering wheel
and allows key removal. Note: In
order to switch off the engine while
the vehicle is in motion, shift to
neutral and use the brakes to bring
the vehicle to a safe stop. After the
vehicle has stopped, turn the engine
off and shift into park. Then, turn
the key to the accessory or off
position.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running. This position also unlocks the
steering wheel.
3. On— all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. Start— cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
begins cranking.
Note: Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
The powertrain control system meets all Canadian interference-causing
equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the engine in this chapter.
WARNING: Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage. Driving
265
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)