2012 FORD F550 traction control

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
2
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

AdvanceTrac  /Traction control
(if equipped): Displays when the
AdvanceTrac  /Traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to the Driving chapter for more information.
AdvanceTrac  /Traction control
off light (if equipped): Illuminates
when AdvanceTrac  /Traction control
has been disabled by the driver.
Refer to the Driving chapter for
more information.
4X2 (RTT) (if equipped):
Displays momentarily when
two-wheel drive high is selected. If
the light fails to display when the
ignition is turned on, or remains on,
have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Four wheel drive low (RTT and
static) (if equipped): Displays
when four-wheel drive low is
engaged. If the light fails to display
when the ignition is turned on, or remains on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Four wheel drive high (RTT and
static) (if equipped): Displays
when four-wheel drive high is
engaged. If the light fails to display
when the ignition is turned on, or remains on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Electronic locking differential
(RTT and static) (if equipped):
Displays when using the electronic
locking differential. OFF
4x2
4x4
LOW
4x4
HIGHInstrument Cluster
19
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)

• 4X4 System
• Traction Control
• Advancetrac + RSC
Trailer: Press the right arrow key (when in the Off Road menu) to
reach the Trailer menu (vehicle must be equipped with factory installed
trailer brake controller). The following information is displayed:
• Active trailer name or default trailer.
• Accumulated trailer distance.
• Trailer gain and output.
• Trailer disconnected
When “Press OK for options” is displayed, pressing OK will open the
trailer options menus:
Trailer*
Change Active
Trailer When this is highlighted, press the right arrow key
to change the currently selected trailer. Use the up
and down arrows to select a trailer and press the
OK button to choose the highlighted trailer.
Adding a new trailer– Use the up/down arrows to
highlight “New Trailer” from the Change Active
Trailer menu and press the right arrow key to enter
the New Trailer input screen. Use the up/down
arrow keys to choose alpha, numeric and symbol
characters and then press the right arrow to move
the character space over. Continue adding
characters as needed. Press the left arrow to go
back and change a previously selected character.
When finished with the new trailer name, press OK
to accept the new trailer name.
Connection
Checklist (if
equipped) Press the right arrow button when this is highlighted
to show the trailer connection types: Conventional,
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck. Use the up/down
arrows to highlight one of these choices and press
OK to display the connection checklist. Follow the
on-screen instructions to go through the connections
list. Instrument Cluster
43
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)

HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY (if equipped) — Displayed
when the hill descent control switch is turned on.
REDUCE ACCELERATOR TO PREVENT WHEEL SLIP (if
equipped) — Displayed when the vehicle senses that torque to the
drive wheels has overcome the available traction.
SHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARD (if equipped) — May display
when shifting to or from 4X4 LOW. For more information, refer to
Four-wheel drive (4WD) operation in the Driving chapter.
SLOW VEHICLE TO XX KM/H FOR ELD (if equipped) — Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for the electronic locking
differential mode has not been met.
SLOW VEHICLE TO XX MPH FOR ELD (if equipped) — Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for the electronic locking
differential mode has not been met.
CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (if equipped) — Displayed
when an electronic locking differential (ELD) system fault is present. For
more information, refer to Electronic locking differential (ELD) in the
Driving chapter.
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.
COULD NOT PROGRAM INTEGRATED KEY — 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.
ESC ALWAYS ON - MYKEY SETTING — Displayed when a MyKey  is
in use and the ESC cannot be deactivated. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks
and Security chapter for more information.
MYKEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY — Displayed when a MyKey  is in
use. Refer to MyKey  in the Locks and Security chapter for more
information.
MYKEY 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.
SECURITY SYSTEM FAULT (if equipped) — Displayed when the
security system has detected a fault. See your authorized dealer for
service. Instrument Cluster
57
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. The
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
• Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic passenger car tires. They do
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, light truck or “LT” type tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as
defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades: The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1
2
) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance. Tires, Wheels and Loading
219
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with the
letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code designating where it was
manufactured, the next two are the tire size code and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example,
the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers
go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The
numbers in between are identification codes used for traceability. This
information is used to contact customers if a tire defect requires a recall.
9. M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or
AT: All Terrain, or
AS: All Season.
10. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
12. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
• Treadwear: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1
2
) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
• Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
• Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.Tires, Wheels and Loading
234
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)