Page 1 of 454
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
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 14 of 454
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
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 15 of 454

Standard message center
Note:Some warning lights are
reconfigurable telltale (RTT)
indicator lights and will illuminate in
the message center. These lights
function the same as the other
warning lights.
Optional message center
Note:Some warning lights are
reconfigurable telltale (RTT)
indicator lights and will illuminate in
the message center. These lights
function the same as the other
warning lights. The first three
positions will only display one
warning telltale at a time; the last
three positions can cycle between
different warning telltales.
Service engine soon:The service
engine soon indicator
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon
indicator will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine
soon indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready
for I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 20 of 454

•On (amber light):Illuminates when the speed control system is
turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is engaged or
turned off.
•Engaged (green light):Illuminates when the speed control system is
engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is disengaged.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high-beam headlamps are turned on.
Diesel warning lights:If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine,
it has some unique warning lights; refer toInstrument Clusterin your
diesel supplement for detailed information on their function.
•Glow plug pre-heat
•Waterinfuel
•Diesel exhaust fluid
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 26 of 454

OIL LIFE
This displays the remaining oil life.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change,
perform the following:
1. Press and release the SETUP button to display “OIL LIFE XXX%
HOLD RESET = NEW”.
2. Press and hold the RESET button for two seconds and release to reset
the oil life to 100%.
Note:To change oil life 100% value (if equipped with this feature) to
another value, proceed to Step 3.
3. Once “OIL LIFE SET TO XXX%” is displayed, release and press the
RESET button to change the oil life start value. Each release and press
will reduce the value by 10%.
UNITS
Displays the current units English or Metric.
Press the RESET button to change from English to Metric.
AUTOLAMP (SEC)
This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
Press the RESET control to select the new autolamp delay values of 0,
10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 seconds.
AUTOLOCK
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
Press the RESET control to turn autolock on or off.
AUTOUNLOCK
This feature automatically unlocks all vehicle doors when the driver’s
door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being turned off.
Press RESET to turn it off or on.
COURTESY WIPE
One extra wipe will occur a few seconds after washing the front window
to clear any excess washer fluid remaining on the windshield.
Press RESET to turn this feature on or off.
Instrument Cluster
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 73 of 454

Your vehicle may be equipped with a
USB port located on the instrument
panel. This feature allows you to plug
in media playing devices, memory
sticks, and also to charge devices if
they support this feature. For further
information on this feature, refer to
Accessing and using your USB port
in theSYNCsupplement or
Navigation Systemsupplement.
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
Radio frequencies:
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM: 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM: 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
Entertainment Systems
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 89 of 454

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control
clockwise to the first position
to
turn on the parking lamps.
Rotate clockwise to the second
position
to also turn on the
headlamps.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the
control to
.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the
control from the autolamp
position.
Note:If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the
headlamps on with windshield wipers feature.If the windshield
wipers are turned on, the exterior lamps will turn on with the headlamp
control in the autolamp position.
The autolamp system also keeps the lights on for a predetermined
amount of time after the ignition switch is turned to off. You can change
the amount of time the lamps stay on by using the programming
procedure that follows:
Autolamps - Programmable exit delay
Programmable exit delay allows the length of the autolamp exit delay to
be changed.
To program the auto lamp exit time delay:
1. Start with the ignition in the off position and the headlamp control in
the autolamp position.
2. Turn the headlamp control to off.
3. Turn the ignition switch to on and then back to off.
Lights
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 90 of 454
4. Turn the headlamp control to the autolamp position. The headlamps
will turn on.
5. Wait the desired amount of time for the exit delay you want (up to
three minutes), then turn the headlamps off.
Fog lamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the fog lamps. The fog lamps can be
turned on only when the headlamp
controlisinthe
,or
position and the high beams are not
turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn fog lamps on. The fog lamp
indicator light
will illuminate.
High beams
Pull the lever fully past the detent
to activate. Pull the lever fully again
to deactivate.
Flash-to-pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Lights
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2012 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)