2012 FORD SUPER DUTY traction control

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
2
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st 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 theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTrac/Traction control
off light (if equipped):Illuminates
when AdvanceTrac/Traction control
has been disabled by the driver.
Refer to theDrivingchapter 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.
Speed control (if equipped):The
speed control system indicator light
changes color to indicate what mode
the system is in:
OFF
4x2
4x4
LOW
4x4
HIGH
Instrument Cluster
19
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped)— Displayed when one or more
tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your
tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed
when the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is functioning. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT FRONT TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when
training the TPMS. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels
and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN RIGHT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAIN LEFT REAR TIRE (if equipped)— Displayed when training
the TPMS. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TIRES NOT TRAINED – REPEAT (if equipped)— Displayed when
an error occurs while training the TPMS. Refer toTPMS reset procedure
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAINING COMPLETE (if equipped)— Displayed when training of
the TPMS is complete. Refer toTPMS reset procedurein theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
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 theLocks and
Securitychapter.
Instrument Cluster
31
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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
43
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition that requires service immediately.
BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKeyis in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the
traction control has been disabled by the driver. Refer to theDriving
chapter for more information.
CHECK 4X4 (if equipped)— Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is
present. For more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD)
operationin theDrivingchapter.
4X4 SHIFT IN PROGRESS (if equipped)— Displayed when the 4X4
system is making a shift. For further information, refer toFour-wheel
drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW APPLY BRAKE (if equipped)— Displayed when
trying to select 4X4 LOW. For more information, refer toFour-wheel
drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer
toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed when
4X4 LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information,
refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin theDrivingchapter.
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) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped)— Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SLOW TO 3 MPH (if equipped)— Displayed
when 2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For
more information, refer toFour-wheel drive (4WD) operationin the
Drivingchapter.
TO ENGAGE LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL RELEASE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL (if equipped)— Displayed when the
electronic locking differential requests that the accelerator pedal be
released in order to engage. SeeElectronic locking differentialin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
Instrument Cluster
56
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TO ENGAGE LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL SLOW TO XX MPH/KM/H
(if equipped)— Displayed when the electronic locking differential
requests that a certain speed be met in order to engage. SeeElectronic
locking differentialin theDrivingchapter for more information.
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ENGAGED/DISENGAGED (if
equipped)— Displayed when the electronic locking differential is
engaged. SeeElectronic locking differentialin theDrivingchapter for
more information.
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED (if equipped)—
Displayed when the electronic locking differential is disengaged. See
Electronic locking differentialin theDrivingchapter for more
information.
FOR HILL DESCENT REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for off-road mode entry has not
been met.
FOR HILL DESCENT SELECT GEAR (if equipped)— Displayed
when the driver is able to select a transmission gear for hill descent
mode.
HILL DESCENT - DRIVER RESUME CONTROL (if equipped)—
Displayed when hill descent control mode is deactivated and the driver
must resume control.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a hill descent system fault is present.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when
hill descent control mode becomes inactive.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF SYSTEM COOLING (if equipped)
— Displayed when the hill descent system is cooling due to overuse.
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) operationin theDrivingchapter.
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.
Instrument Cluster
57
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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
12) 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
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.
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.
Temperature A B C
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. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 139. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
WARNING:The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
223
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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
12) 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.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers’ 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 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 vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
237
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)