
6.2L and 6.8L engines
Miles (x 1,000)* 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60 67.5 75
Kilometers (x 1,000)* 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Months* 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
Change engine oil and filter• •••••••••
Rotate tires**, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth• •••••••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear,
looseness or drag• •••••••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)• •••••••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with
dipstick); consult dealer for requirements•••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses
and parking brake•••••
Inspect engine cooling system concentration and hoses•••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields•••••
Inspect front axle and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with grease
fittings (4WD vehicles)•••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)•••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends,
driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with grease fittings•••••
Torque rear U-bolts (Transit Connect)•••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)• ••••
* Whichever comes first
**If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Scheduled maintenance for the diesel engine can be found in the diesel supplement
Scheduled Maintenance
434
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

6.2L and 6.8L engines
Miles (x 1,000)* 82.5 90 97.5 105 112.5 120 127.5 135 142.5 150
Kilometers (x 1,000)* 132 144 156 168 180 192 204 216 228 240
Months* 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Change engine oil and filter• •••••••••
Rotate tires**, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth• •••••••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise,
wear, looseness or drag• •••••••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)• •••••••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with
dipstick); consult dealer for requirements•••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses
and parking brake•••••
Inspect engine cooling system concentration and hoses•••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields•••••
Inspect front axle and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with
grease fittings (4WD vehicles)•••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)•••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends,
driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with grease
fittings•••••
Torque rear U-bolts (Transit Connect)•••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)• ••••
* Whichever comes first
**If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted
Scheduled maintenance for the diesel engine can be found in the diesel supplement
Scheduled Maintenance
435
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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
441
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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
443
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)

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)