SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
The following information pertains to 6.2L V8 and 6.8L V10 gasoline
engines only. Scheduled maintenance for the diesel engine can be found
in the diesel supplement.
If you operate your vehicleprimarilyin one of the more demanding
conditions listed below, you will need to have some items maintained
more frequently. If you onlyoccasionallyoperate your vehicle under
these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the additional
maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service
advisor or technician.
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredInspect and lubricate U-joints
See axle maintenance items underExceptions
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km)Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure
tread depth
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) or
6 monthsChange engine oil and filter
Inspect and lubricate U-joints
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
6R80 and TorqShifttransmissions)
Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)
*If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified,
rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Scheduled Maintenance
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Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as
in heavy commercial use (i.e. delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km)Inspect brake system
Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
Lubricate control arm and steering ball joints if
equipped with grease fittings
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure
tread depth
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) or
6 monthsInspect and lubricate U-joints
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km),
6 months or 200
engine hoursChange engine oil and filter
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
6R80 and TorqShifttransmissions)
Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)
Replace spark plugs
*If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified,
rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Scheduled Maintenance
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km)Inspect the wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure
tread depth
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) or
6 monthsChange engine oil and filter
Inspect and lubricate U-joints
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
6R80 and TorqShifttransmissions)
Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
Every 50,000 miles
(80,000 km)Change rear axle fluid (F-450/550 only)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)
*If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified,
rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Scheduled Maintenance
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Off-road operation
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredInspect steering linkage, ball joints and U-joints;
lubricate if equipped with grease fittings
Replace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) or
6 monthsChange engine oil and filter
Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure
tread depth
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
6R80 and TorqShifttransmissions)
Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
Every 50,000 miles
(80,000 km)Change rear axle fluid (F-450/550 only)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)
*If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified,
rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Exclusive use of E85 (Flex Fuel Vehicles only)
Every oil change
intervalIf ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full
with regular unleaded fuel
Scheduled Maintenance
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
A
Accessory delay ........................107
AdvanceTrac ..............................279
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................184, 188, 190
and child safety seats ............186
description ..............184, 188, 190
disposal ....................................198
driver airbag ............186, 189, 191
indicator light .........................193
operation .................186, 189, 191
passenger airbag .....186, 189, 191
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................194
side airbag ...............................188
Air cleaner filter ...............408, 413
Air conditioning ....................80, 83
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................80
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................383
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................275
Anti-theft system ..............153, 155
arming the system ..........154, 156
disarming a triggered
system .....................................156
triggering .................................156
Audio system (see Radio) ...61, 63
Automatic transmission ............294
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................291
fluid, adding ............................404
fluid, checking ........................404
fluid, refill capacities ..............414
Selectshift (SST) ....................297
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................71Auxiliary power point ...............103
Axle
refill capacities ........................414
B
Battery .......................................381
acid, treating emergencies .....381
jumping a disabled battery ....351
maintenance-free ....................381
replacement, specifications ...413
servicing ..................................381
Bed extender ............................130
Belt-Minder.............................180
Booster seats .............................215
Brakes ........................................275
anti-lock ...................................275
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................276
fluid, checking and adding ....403
fluid, refill capacities ..............414
parking ....................................277
shift interlock ..........................289
trailer .......................................260
Bulbs ............................................94
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....414
Car2UHome Automation
System .......................................120
Cassette tape player ...................61
Cell phone use ............................10
Changing a tire .........................334
Child safety seats ......................203
attaching with tether straps ..210
in front seat ....................204, 210
in rear seat ......................204, 210
Index
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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)
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)
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................152
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................153–154
Servicing your vehicle ..............374
Setting the clock ...................62, 64
Snowplowing .................7, 319–320
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............193
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................413, 418
Special notice ................................7
ambulance conversions ..............7
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
four-wheel drive vehicles .......321
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Speed control ............................113
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......272
Starting your vehicle ........269–272
jump starting ..........................351
Steering wheel
controls ....................................115
tilting .......................................101
SYNC..........................................79
T
Tailgate ......................................127
Tilt steering wheel ....................101
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....240
Tires ...........................222–224, 334
alignment ................................232
care ..........................................228
changing ..................334, 337, 340
checking the pressure ............227
inflating ...................................225label .........................................239
replacing ..................................230
rotating ....................................233
safety practices .......................231
sidewall information ...............234
snow tires and chains ............247
spare tire .................................335
terminology .............................224
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ........................223, 229
Towing .......................................255
recreational towing .................267
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............260
trailer towing ..........................255
wrecker ....................................355
Traction control ........................278
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................260
Trailer sway control ..................285
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................407
Transmission .............................291
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....289
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................404
fluid, refill capacities ..............414
Turn signal ..................................93
U
Universal garage door opener ..120
Upfitter controls .......................117
USB port ......................................72
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................420
Vehicle loading ..........................248
Index
453
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)