Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 14
Warning lights and chimes 14
Gauges 21
Message center 22
Entertainment Systems 61
AM/FM stereo 61
AM/FM stereo with CD 63
Auxiliary input jack 71
USB port 72
Satellite radio information 76
Navigation system 79
SYNC79
Climate Controls 80
Manual heating and air conditioning 80
Dual electronic automatic temperature control 83
Rear window defroster 87
Lights 89
Headlamps 89
Turn signal control 93
Bulb replacement 94
Driver Controls 100
Windshield wiper/washer control 100
Steering wheel adjustment 101
Power windows 105
Mirrors 108
Speed control 113
Upfitter controls 117
Locks and Security 133
Keys 133
Locks 141
Anti-theft system 153
Table of Contents
1
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Compass zone/calibration adjustment
1. Determine your magnetic zone by
referring to the zone map.
2. Turn ignition to the on position.
3. Start the engine.
4. From the SETUP menu, press and release the RESET button until the
message center display changes to show the current zone setting ZONE
5. Press and release the RESET button repeatedly until the correct zone
setting for your geographic location is displayed on the message center.
The range of zone values are from 1 to 15 and “wraps” back to 1.
6. To exit the zone setting mode, and to “lock in” your change:
•press and release the SETUP button or,
•press INFO button to exit or,
•wait four seconds and the zone will be “locked in”.
Perform compass calibration in an open area free from steel structures
and high voltage lines. For optimum calibration, turn off all electrical
accessories (heater/air conditioning, wipers, etc.) and make sure all
vehicle doors are shut.
7. Press the RESET button until the display reads RESET FOR
CALIBRATION to start the compass calibration function.
8. Slowly drive the vehicle in a circle (less than 3 mph [5 km/h]) until
the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CALIBRATE display changes to CALIBRATION
COMPLETED. It will take up to five circles to complete calibration.
9. The compass is now calibrated.
Note:If the RESET button is pressed or three minutes has expired, the
display will go back to the INFO menu and will show CAL instead of the
compass heading until the compass is calibrated.
RESET FOR REMOTE START (if equipped)
Press RESET to enable remote start on or off and choose the remote
start duration time (5, 10, 15 minutes) and other options.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
Instrument Cluster
28
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
SINGLE ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL
1.
Defrost:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
vents and de-mister vents. Can be used to clear the windshield of fog
and thin ice. The system will automatically provide outside air to reduce
window fogging. Press this button again to return to the previous air flow
selection.
2. A.
RRear defroster (if equipped):Press to activate/deactivate the
rear window defroster. Refer toRear window defrosterlater in this
chapter for more information. If your vehicle is equipped with both rear
defroster and heated mirrors, the same button will activate both.
2. B.
Heated mirrors (if equipped):Press to activate/deactivate.
This feature will remove ice and snow from the side view mirrors.
3.
Multifunction control:Press repeatedly to cycle through the
settings to choose:
•
:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents, de-mister
vents, floor vents and rear seat floor vents. The system will
automatically provide outside air to reduce window fogging.
•
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents.
•
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents, floor vents,
rear seat floor vents and de-mister vents.
•
:Distributes air through the floor vents and rear seat floor vents.
4.A/C (if equipped):Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use
with recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. A/C
engages automatically in MAX A/C,
(defrost) and
(floor/defrost).
Climate Controls
80
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
4.Manual control:Allows you to manually select where airflow is
directed. To return to full automatic control, press AUTO. When
choosing to control airflow manually, press repeatedly to toggle through
the settings to choose:
•
:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents, de-mister
vents, floor vents and rear seat floor vents. The system will
automatically provide outside air to reduce window fogging.
•
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents.
•
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents, floor vents,
rear seat floor vents and de-mister vents.
•
:Distributes air through the floor vents and rear seat floor vents.
5.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. A/C
engages automatically in MAX A/C,
(defrost)
and
(floor/defrost).
6.
Recirculated air:Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation in
the vehicle. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time needed to
cool down the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired
odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculated air engages
automatically when MAX A/C is selected or can be engaged manually in
any airflow mode except
(defrost). When the ignition switch is
turned off and back on, the climate system will return to the recirculated
air mode only if the A/C button LED is illuminated and the air
distribution selection is either
(panel) or(panel/floor).
7.AUTO:Press to engage automatic temperature control. Select the
desired temperature using the temperature control. The system will
automatically determine fan speed, airflow location, A/C on or off, and
outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle to reach the
desired temperature.
8.MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents to cool the vehicle. This re-cooling of the interior air is more
economical and efficient than normal A/C mode. Recirculated air may
also help reduce undesirable odors from entering the vehicle. Press the
MAX A/C button again for normal A/C operation.
9.
Passenger heated seat (if equipped):Press to control the
passenger heated seat. Refer toHeated and cooled seatsin theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter for more information.
Climate Controls
84
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible
fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to start,
repeat Step 1.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating or
air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt A/C electrical
source. The engine block heater plug can be located through the center
opening of the lower front bumper assembly. The block heater system is
most effective when outdoor temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
For flexible fuel vehicles, if operating with E85 ethanol, an engine block
heater must be used if ambient temperature is below 0°F (-18°C).
SeeCold weather startingearlier in this chapter for more information
on starting with ethanol.
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
Driving
273
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:If fail-safe cooling activates, pull off the road as
soon as safely possible and turn the engine off. The engine may
automatically shut off while driving without further indication.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The message center will indicate the engine is overheating.
•The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage; therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Maintenance and Specifications
388
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Engine fluid temperature management (except 6.8L V10)
Your vehicle has been designed to pull a trailer, but because of the added
load, the vehicle’s engine may temporarily reach higher temperatures
during severe operating conditions such as ascending a long or steep
grade while pulling a trailer in hot ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice your engine coolant temperature gauge
needle move toward the H and the POWER REDUCED TO LOWER
TEMP message may appear on the message center.
You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
and other factors. If this occurs, there is no need to pull off the road.
The vehicle can continue to be driven while this message is active.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of collision and injury, be
prepared that the vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle may
not be able to accelerate with full power until the fluid temperatures
reduce.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
Maintenance and Specifications
389
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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
448
2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)