
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument Cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving
315
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip,
spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
manually shift to a lower gear. Your
vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply
the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”
the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Driving
316
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously. Keep
speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid aggressive
steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control which can
lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle slides
while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain
control of the vehicle.
Maintenance and modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Driving
317
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
VEHICLE USED AS A STATIONARY POWER SOURCE
Auxiliary equipment called power take-off, or PTO, is often added to the
engine or transmission to operate utility equipment. Examples include a
wheel-lift for tow trucks, cranes, tools for construction or tire service,
and pumping fluids. PTO applications draw auxiliary horsepower from
the powertrain, often while the vehicle is stationary. In this condition,
there is limited cooling air flow through the radiator and around the
vehicle that normally occurs when a vehicle is moving. The aftermarket
PTO system installer, having the most knowledge of the final application,
is responsible for determining whether additional chassis heat protection
or powertrain cooling is required, and alerting the user to the safe and
proper operation.
Ford Super Duty Vehicles are approved for use as a stationary (including
split shaft capability) or mobile power source, within limits and operating
guidelines detailed in theFord Truck Body Builders Layout Book,
found at www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas, and through the Ford Truck
Body Builders Advisory Service.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
Driving
318
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
11 10A Instrument cluster
12 15A Interior lighting, Lighted running
board lamps
13 15A Right turn signals and brake
lamps, Right trailer tow (TT) stop
turn relay
14 15A Left turn signals and brake lamps,
Left TT stop turn relay
15 15A High-mounted stop lamps, Backup
lamps, TT backup relay
16 10A Right low beam headlamp
17 10A Left low beam headlamp
18 10A Keypad illumination, Passive
anti-theft indicator (PATS),
Powertrain control module
(PCM), Brake shift interlock
19 20A Subwoofer
20 20A Power door locks
21 10A Brake on/off switch
22 20A Horn
23 15A Not used (spare)
24 15A Steering wheel control module,
Diagnostic connector, Power fold
mirror relay, Remote keyless entry
25 15A Not used (spare)
26 5A Steering wheel control module
27 20A Amplifier
28 15A Ignition switch
29 20A SYNC, GPS module, Radio
faceplate
30 15A Parking lamp relay, TT parking
lamp relay
Roadside Emergencies
328
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
31 5A Trailer brake controller (brake
signal), Customer access
32 15A Moon roof, Auto dimming mirrors,
Power invertor, Driver and
passenger door lock switch
illumination
33 10A Restraint control module
34 10A Not used (spare)
35 5A Select shift switch, Reverse park
aid module, Trailer brake control
module
36 10A Fuel tank select switch
37 10A PTC heater
38 10A Radio faceplate
39 15A High beam headlamps
40 10A Parking lamps (in mirrors), Roof
marker lamps
41 7.5A Passenger airbag deactivation
indicator
42 5A Not used (spare)
43 10A Wiper relay
44 10A Upfitter switches
45 5A Not used (spare)
46 10A Climate control
47 15A Fog lamps, Fog lamp indicator (in
switch)
48 30A Circuit
BreakerPower windows switch, Power
rear sliding window switch
49 Relay Delayed accessory
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
Roadside Emergencies
329
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
14 — Not used
15 Diode Fuel pump (diesel engine)
16 — Not used
17 15A** Heated mirror
18 — Not used
19 — Not used
20 — Not used
21 — Not used
22 30A* Trailer tow electric brake
23 40A* Blower motor
24 — Not used
25 30A* Wipers
26 30A* Trailer tow park lamps
27 25A* Urea heaters (diesel engine)
28 — Buss bar
29 Relay Trailer tow park lamps
30 Relay A/C clutch
31 Relay Wipers
32 — Not used
33 15A** Vehicle power (VPWR) 1
34 15A** VPWR 2 (diesel engine)
20A** VPWR 2 (gas engine)
35 10A** VPWR 3
36 15A** VPWR 4 (diesel engine)
20A** VPWR 4 (gas engine)
37 10A** VPWR 5 (diesel engine)
38 Relay Powertrain control module
(PCM) (diesel engine),
Electronic control module (ECM)
(gas engine)
39 10A** 4x4 hub lock
Roadside Emergencies
331
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
40 15A** 4x4 electronic lock
41 — Not used
42 — Not used
43 — Not used
44 — Not used
45 10A** Run/start relay coil
46 10A** Transmission control module
(TCM) keep-alive power (diesel
engine)
47 10A** A/C clutch feed
48 Relay Run/start
49 10A** Rearview camera system
50 10A** Blower motor relay coil
51 — Not used
52 10A** PCM/ECM/TCM run/start
53 10A** 4x4 module
54 10A** Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
run/start
55 10A** Rear window defroster coil,
Battery charge coil
56 20A** Passenger compartment fuse
panel run/start feed
57 Relay Fuel pump
58 — Not used
59 — Not used
60 — Not used
61 — Not used
62 — Not used
63 — Not used
64 — Not used
65 — Not used
66 20A** Fuel pump
Roadside Emergencies
332
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)