2012 FORD SUPER DUTY towing

Seating and Safety Restraints 157
Seating 157
Safety restraints 172
Airbags 184
Child restraints 199
Tires, Wheels and Loading 220
Tire information 222
Tire inflation 225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 240
Vehicle loading 248
Trailer towing 255
Trailer brake controller-integrated 260
Recreational towing 267
Driving 269
Starting 269
Brakes 275
Traction Control™ 278
AdvanceTrac279
Hill descent control 285
Transmission operation 291
Reverse sensing system 300
Rear-view camera system 302
Roadside Emergencies 322
Getting roadside assistance 322
Hazard flasher control 323
Fuel pump shut-off 324
Fuses and relays 324
Changing tires 334
Wheel lug nut torque 350
Jump starting 351
Wrecker towing 355
Table of Contents
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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 towards 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, seat 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 towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Introduction
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USA(fus)

Yellow areaThe 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 toSpecial operating
conditionsin thescheduled maintenance informationfor 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 areaThe 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 toFilling the tankin theMaintenance 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 toStandard message
centerorOptional message centerin 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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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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 toTrailer towingin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN = XX.X (if equipped)— Displays the
current gain setting for the trailer brake. Refer toTrailer towingin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.
TRANSPORT MODE CONTACT DEALER (if equipped)—
Displayed when the vehicle is set to transport mode. The transport mode
is used to disable certain vehicle functions to prevent battery discharge
when the vehicle is in the transport/inventory phase and is not driven
long enough to maintain the battery’s charge. This mode can be disabled
by doing the following: Turn the ignition on, without starting the engine.
Press and release the brake pedal fully five times and press the hazard
button four times (on, off, on, off) within 10 seconds.
CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (if equipped)— Displayed
when an electronic locking differential (ELD) system fault is present. For
more information, refer toElectronic locking differential (ELD)in the
Drivingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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 Control
•4X4 System
•Traction Control
•Advancetrac + RSC
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Determine which magnetic zone you
are in for your geographic location
by referring to the zone map.
Vehicle (cont’d)
Compass
(cont’d)Calibration (When choosing Calibration, follow the
on-screen directions to calibrate the compass)
Easy Entry/Exit On/Off
DTE Calculation
(distance to
empty)Normal History Used
Towing History Used
Locks Autolock, On/Off
Autounlock On/Off
Unlocking One Stage or Two Stage
Maintenance Coolant (if
equipped)Hold OK if coolant maintenance
performed
Fuel Filter
(diesel only)Hold OK if Fuel Filter Changed
Menu ControlStandard: with standard set, pressing the up/down
arrows from a lower level menu will escape to the
main menu.
Memory On: with memory on set, pressing the
up/down arrows will navigate to the previous lower
level menu.
Oil Life Reset (if
equipped)Set to XXX% (Press and hold OK to set).
Remote StartDuration 5, 10 or 15 minutes
System Enable/Disable
Windows Remote Open On/Off
Wiper Control On/Off
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKeyis in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
CHECK REAR PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transmission is in R (Reverse) and the park aid is disabled.
REAR PARK AID OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the rear park
aid is disabled by the driver.
REAR PARK AID ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the rear park
aid is enabled.
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. SeePerimeter alarm systemin the
Locks and securitychapter.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN: XX.X [OUTPUT] (if equipped)— Displays
the current gain setting for the trailer brake. Refer toTrailer towingin
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN: XX.X NO TRAILER (if equipped)—
Displays the current gain setting for the trailer brake when a trailer is
not connected. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a
trailer connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or
unintentionally, and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer
toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)