2012 FORD SUPER DUTY ESP

Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, seat belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Introduction
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that you
use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may take
your focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle.
We recommend against the use of any handheld device while driving
and that you comply with all applicable laws.
EXPORT UNIQUE (NON–UNITED STATES/CANADA) VEHICLE
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
For your particular global region, your vehicle may be equipped with
features and options that are different from the features and options that
are described in this Owner’s Guide. A market unique supplement may
be supplied that complements this book. By referring to the market
unique supplement, if provided, you can properly identify those features,
recommendations and specifications that are unique to your vehicle. This
Owner’s Guide is written primarily for the U.S. and Canadian Markets.
Features or equipment listed as standard may be different on units built
for Export.Refer to this Owner’s Guide for all other required
information and warnings.
Introduction
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Base instrument cluster with standard measure shown; metric
similar
Optional instrument cluster with standard measure shown; metric
similar
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
km/hRPMx1000
00 1020304050
60
70
80
90100
123
4
5
6
7
E CH CH H LF
02
040608
01001201
4
0160
MPH
km/hRPMx1000
00 1020304050
60
70
80
90100
123
4
5
6
7
H L
0204060801001
2
01
4
01
6
0
MPH
EFCHCH
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime if there are certain faults in the vehicle
wiring and trailer wiring/brake system. Refer toTrailer towingin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER CONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a correct
trailer connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed during
a given ignition cycle. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN = XX.X (if equipped)— Displays the
current gain setting for the trailer brake. Refer toTrailer towingin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER (if equipped)— Displays the
current gain setting for the trailer brake when a trailer is not connected.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime when a trailer connection becomes
disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally, and has been sensed
during a given ignition cycle. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.
TRANSPORT MODE CONTACT DEALER (if equipped)—
Displayed when the vehicle is set to transport mode. The transport mode
is used to disable certain vehicle functions to prevent battery discharge
when the vehicle is in the transport/inventory phase and is not driven
long enough to maintain the battery’s charge. This mode can be disabled
by doing the following: Turn the ignition on, without starting the engine.
Press and release the brake pedal fully five times and press the hazard
button four times (on, off, on, off) within 10 seconds.
CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL (if equipped)— Displayed
when an electronic locking differential (ELD) system fault is present. For
more information, refer toElectronic locking differential (ELD)in the
Drivingchapter.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY (if equipped)— Displayed
when the hill descent control switch is turned on.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a hill descent system fault is present.
HILL CNTRL OFF SYSTEM COOLING (if equipped)— Displayed
when the hill descent system is cooling due to overuse.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when
the hill descent system is deactivated.
FOR HILL CNTRL 20 MPH OR LESS (if equipped)— Displayed
when the vehicle speed requirement for hill control mode entry has not
been met.
DRIVER RESUME CONTROL (if equipped)— Displayed when the
hill control and off-road mode require the driver to resume control.
FOR HILL CNTRL SELECT GEAR (if equipped)— Displayed when
the driver is requested to select a transmission gear to enable operation
of the hill mode and off-road mode.
ENGINE WARMING PLEASE WAIT XX (diesel engine only)—
Displayed in extremely cold weather, typically below –15°F (–26°C), if
the engine block heater is not utilized. The engine will not respond to
accelerator pedal movement for 30 seconds; this is done so the engine oil
can be properly circulated to avoid engine damage from lack of
lubrication. A timer will begin a countdown from 30 seconds. Once the
counter has reached 0 seconds, OK TO DRIVE will be displayed and the
engine will respond to accelerator pedal movement. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
OK TO DRIVE (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the time
counter has reached 0 (zero) and the engine is sufficiently warm enough
to drive in extremely cold weather (refer to the engine warming please
wait message description mentioned previously). Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
WATER IN FUEL DRAIN FILTER (diesel engine only)— Displayed
when the water separator has reached a predetermined capacity and
needs to be drained. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

MyKey
Create MyKey Hold OK to create MyKey
*AdvanceTrac Always on or Selectable
*MAX Speed 80 MPH (120 km/h) or Off
*Speed Warning 45, 55 or 65 MPH (75, 90 or 105 km/h), Off
*Volume Limiter On/Off
*Clear MyKeys Hold OK to Clear MyKeys
*Only displays if MyKey is programmed.
Language
English, Español, Français
Units
Units English or Metric
System Reset
Hold OK to Reset System to Factory Default
Information
In this mode, you can view different vehicle system information and
perform a system check.
When “Press OK for info” is displayed, pressing OK will give you
information on the currently selected/displayed options. Information is
only available when traveling less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
MyKey
Admin Keys (Number of admin keys)
MyKeys (Number of MyKeys programmed)
MyKey Miles (km) (Distance traveled using a programmed MyKey)
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ENGINE WARMING PLEASE WAIT (diesel engine only)—
Displayed in extremely cold weather, typically below –15°F (–26°C), if
the engine block heater is not utilized. The engine will not respond to
accelerator pedal movement for 30 seconds; this is done so the engine oil
can be properly circulated to avoid engine damage from lack of
lubrication. A timer will begin a countdown from 30 seconds. Once the
counter has reached 0 seconds, OK TO DRIVE will be displayed and the
engine will respond to accelerator pedal movement. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
EXHAUST FILTER DRIVE COMPLETE (diesel engine only)—
Displayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) has been adequately
cleaned after the DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER followed by
CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER messages have been displayed. This
message is NORMAL. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
EXHAUST FILTER CLEANED (diesel engine only)— Displayed
when the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) has been adequately cleaned by
the manual regeneration process (OCR). Refer to your diesel supplement
for more information.
EXHAUST CLEAN STOPPED (diesel engine only)— Displayed
when the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) manual regeneration process
(OCR) has been stopped. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
EXHAUST FLUID RANGE XXX MI (diesel engine only)— Displays
the distance you can travel before depleting the remaining diesel exhaust
fluid. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
IN XX MILES, SPEED LIMITED TO XX MPH EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the diesel exhaust
fluid is nearing empty. The vehicle’s top speed will become limited in the
displayed distance. The diesel exhaust fluid must be replenished to
resume normal operation of the vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement
for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO XX MPH UPON RESTART EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the remaining diesel
exhaust fluid level is depleted. Speed will be limited upon restart. The
diesel exhaust fluid must be replenished to resume normal operation of
the vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO XX MPH EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY (diesel
engine only)— Displayed when the diesel exhaust fluid is empty. The
diesel exhaust fluid must be replenished to resume normal operation of
the vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKeyis in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
CHECK REAR PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the
transmission is in R (Reverse) and the park aid is disabled.
REAR PARK AID OFF (if equipped)— Displayed when the rear park
aid is disabled by the driver.
REAR PARK AID ON (if equipped)— Displayed when the rear park
aid is enabled.
TO STOP ALARM, START VEHICLE (if equipped)— Displayed
when the perimeter alarm system is armed and the vehicle is entered
using the key on the driver’s side door. In order to prevent the perimeter
alarm system from triggering, the ignition must be turned to start or on
before the 12 second chime expires. SeePerimeter alarm systemin the
Locks and securitychapter.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN: XX.X [OUTPUT] (if equipped)— Displays
the current gain setting for the trailer brake. Refer toTrailer towingin
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE GAIN: XX.X NO TRAILER (if equipped)—
Displays the current gain setting for the trailer brake when a trailer is
not connected. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER CONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a correct
trailer connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed during
a given ignition cycle. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a
trailer connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or
unintentionally, and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer
toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)