Page 420 of 454
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
Devices and their location
3. Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maintenance and Specifications
420
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 449 of 454

LATCH .....................................210
recommendations ...................201
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................215
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............367
instrument panel ............369–370
interior .....................................371
plastic parts ............................368
safety belts ..............................371
washing ....................................365
waxing .....................................366
wheels ......................................366
wiper blades ............................368
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......80, 83
Clock ......................................62, 64
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................28
Console ......................................102
overhead ..................................102
Controls
power seat ...............................163
steering column ......................115
Coolant
checking and adding ..............383
refill capacities ................386, 414
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................113
Customer Assistance ................322
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................373
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................424, 427
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................361
Getting roadside assistance ...322
Getting the service you
need .........................................357Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................363
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................361
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................91
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................83
windshield .................................83
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................404
engine oil .................................379
Driving under special
conditions ..................300, 312, 316
sand .........................................314
snow and ice ...........................316
through water .................315, 318
E
Electronic message center ...22, 40
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................351
Emergency Flashers .................323
Emission control system ..........399
Engine ........................................418
cleaning ...................................367
coolant .....................................383
diesel ...........................................6
fail-safe cooling .......................387
idle speed control ...................381
refill capacities ........................414
service points ..................376–377
Engine block heater .................273
Engine oil ..................................379
Index
449
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 451 of 454

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................401
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................369–370
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................91
J
Jack ............................................334
positioning ...............................334
storage .....................................334
Jump-starting your vehicle ......351
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................141
keypad .....................................152
locking and unlocking doors ..153
programming entry code .......152
Keys ...................................133, 154
positions of the ignition .........269
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running light ...............91
fog lamps ...................................90
headlamps .................................89
headlamps, flash to pass ..........90
instrument panel, dimming .....91
interior lamps ...........................93
replacing bulbs .............95, 97–99
LATCH anchors .........................210
Lights, warning and indicator ....14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........276
Loading instructions .................255Load limits .................................248
Locks
autolock ...................................141
childproof ................................145
doors ........................................141
Lug nuts ....................................350
Lumbar support, seats .............164
M
Manual transmission
fluid capacities ........................414
Message center ...............22–23, 40
english/metric button ...............28
system check button
................28
warning messages
...............29, 48
Mirrors
...............................108–109
automatic dimming rearview
mirror
......................................108
fold away
.................109, 111–112
heated
........................................83
programmable memory
..........147
side view mirrors (power)
.....109
signal
.......................................112
Moon roof
..................................118
Motorcraftparts
......................413
MyKey
........................................133
N
Navigation system
.......................79
O
Octane rating
....................394–395
Oil (see Engine oil)
..................379
Index
451
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)