2012 Ford F 250 Owners Manual

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Scheduled Maintenance

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS The following information pertains to 6.2L V8 and 6.8L V10 gasoline engines only. Scheduled maintenance for the diesel engine can be found in the diesel supplement. If you operate your vehicle primarily in one of the more demanding conditions listed below, you will need to have some items maintained more frequently. If you only occasionally operate your vehicle under these conditions, it is not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician.

Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier

Inspect and lubricate U-joints See axle maintenance items under Exceptions Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth Change engine oil and filter Inspect and lubricate U-joints

Inspect frequently, service as required Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km)

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)

Change automatic transmission fluid (except 6R80 and TorqShift威 transmissions) Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles) Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)

Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) *If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

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 required Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km)

Replace cabin air filter (if equipped) Replace engine air filter 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 Inspect and lubricate U-joints

Change engine oil and filter

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km), 6 months or 200 engine hours Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)

Change automatic transmission fluid (except 6R80
and TorqShift威 transmissions) Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles) Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles) Replace spark plugs

Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) *If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted

Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads

Inspect frequently, service as required Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km)

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months

436

Replace cabin air filter (if equipped) Replace engine air filter Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure tread depth Change engine oil and filter Inspect and lubricate U-joints

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads

Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)

Change automatic transmission fluid (except 6R80
and TorqShift威 transmissions) Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles) Change rear axle fluid (F-450/550 only)

Every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) *If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted

Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)

Inspect frequently, service as required

Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months

Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)

Off-road operation

Inspect steering linkage, ball joints and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with grease fittings Replace cabin air filter (if equipped) Replace engine air filter Change 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 Change automatic transmission fluid (except 6R80
and TorqShift威 transmissions) Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seals if non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles) Change rear axle fluid (F-450/550 only)

Every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) *If equipped with dual rear wheels, rotate front wheels when specified, rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted

Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)

Exclusive use of E85 (Flex Fuel Vehicles only)

Every oil change interval

If ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full with regular unleaded fuel

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

Special Operating Condition Log

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

EXCEPTIONS There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed below: Normal vehicle axle maintenance: Rear axles and power take-off (PTO) units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with Ford-design axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the assembly has been submerged in water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should be changed every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or three months, whichever comes first. This interval can be waived if the axle is filled with 75W140
synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles (refer to Maintenance product specifications and capacities in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter for details). Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance: Change rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Rear axle fluid change may be waived if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been submerged in water California fuel filter replacement: If the vehicle is registered in California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals and to record all vehicle service. Class A Motorhome: Change brake fluid every two years. Hot climate oil change intervals: Vehicles operating in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates using an American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal oil change interval is 5,000 miles (8,000 km). If the available API “SM” or “SN” oils are not available, then the oil change service interval is 3,000 mile (4,800 km). 440

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Scheduled Maintenance

Edge/MKX AWD only – vehicles operating off-road in sand during high ambient temperatures must replace the AWD PTU (All-wheel drive Power Transfer Unit) lube every 20,000 miles (32,000 km). Engine air filter & cabin air filter replacement: Engine air filter and cabin air filter life is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty conditions. Vehicles operated in these conditions will require frequent inspection and replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter.

ENGINE COOLANT CHANGE RECORD Initial change

Six years or 105,000 miles (168,000 km) (whichever comes first)

After initial change Every three years or 45,000 miles (72,000 km)

Engine Coolant Change Log

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Selectshift (SST) ....................293
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................69
Auxiliary powerpoint ................101
Axle

refill capacities ........................411

Battery .......................................377
acid, treating emergencies .....377
jumping a disabled battery ....348
maintenance-free ....................377
replacement, specifications ...410
servicing ..................................377
Bed extender ............................126
Belt-Minder威 .............................176
Booster seats .............................212
Brakes ........................................271
anti-lock ...................................271
anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light ...........................272
fluid, checking and adding ....400
fluid, refill capacities ..............411
parking ....................................273
shift interlock ..........................285
trailer .......................................256
Bulbs ............................................92

Capacities for refilling fluids ....411
Cassette tape player ...................60
Cell phone use ............................11
Changing a tire .........................331
Child safety seats ......................199
attaching with tether straps ..206
in front seat ....................200, 206
in rear seat ......................200, 206

Index

Accessory delay ........................104
AdvanceTrac ..............................275
Airbag supplemental restraint system ........................180, 184, 186
and child safety seats ............181
description ..............180, 184, 186
disposal ....................................194
driver airbag ............182, 185, 187
indicator light .........................189
operation .................182, 185, 187
passenger airbag .....182, 185, 187
passenger deactivation switch ......................................190
side airbag ...............................184
Air cleaner filter .......404–405, 410
Air conditioning ....................78, 81

manual heating and air conditioning system .................78
Air filter .....................................410
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant) ................379
Anti-lock brake system (see Brakes) ..............................271
Anti-theft system ..............149, 151
arming the system ..........150–151
disarming a triggered system .....................................152
triggering .................................152
Audio system (see Radio) ...60, 62
Automatic transmission ............290

driving an automatic overdrive .................................287
fluid, adding ............................400
fluid, checking ........................400
fluid, refill capacities ..............411

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

LATCH .....................................206
recommendations ...................197

Child safety seats - booster seats .............................212
Cleaning your vehicle

engine compartment ..............363
instrument panel ............365–366
interior .....................................367
plastic parts ............................364
safety belts ..............................367
washing ....................................361
waxing .....................................362
wheels ......................................362
wiper blades ............................364

Climate control (see Air conditioning or Heating) ......78, 81
Clock ......................................61, 63
Compass, electronic

set zone adjustment .................27
Console ......................................100
overhead ..................................100

Controls

power seat ...............................159
steering column ......................112
Coolant ......................................379
checking and adding ..............379
refill capacities ................383, 411

Cruise control (see Speed control) ..................110
Customer Assistance ................319

Ford accessories for your vehicle .....................................369
Ford Extended Service Plan ..................................421, 423
Getting assistance outside the U.S. and Canada ..............357
Getting roadside assistance ...319
Getting the service you need .........................................353

Index

Ordering additional owner’s literature .................................359
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program ...................................357

Daytime running lamps (see Lamps) ................................89
Defrost

rear window and rearview mirrors .......................................81
windshield .................................81

Dipstick

automatic transmission fluid ..........................................400
engine oil .................................375

Driving under special conditions ..................295, 309, 312
sand .........................................311
snow and ice ...........................313
through water .................311, 315

Electronic message center ...22, 39
Emergencies, roadside

jump-starting ..........................348
Emergency Flashers .................320
Emission control system ..........396
Engine ........................................415
cleaning ...................................363
coolant .....................................379
diesel ...........................................7
fail-safe cooling .......................384
idle speed control ...................377
refill capacities ........................411
service points ..................371–373
Engine block heater .................269
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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Index

Engine oil ..................................375
checking and adding ..............375
dipstick ....................................375
filter, specifications ........376, 410
recommendations ...................376
refill capacities ........................411
Event data recording ....................9
Exhaust fumes ..........................269

Fail safe cooling ........................384
Fleet MyKey programming ......129
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....386
Floor mats .........................122–123
Fluid capacities .........................411
Fog lamps ....................................88
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......301
driving off road .......................307
electronic shift ................301, 306
indicator light .........................302
lever operated shift ................303
manual locking hubs ..............301
preparing to drive your vehicle .....................................285
Fuel ............................................386

calculating fuel economy ............................25, 393
cap ...........................................389
capacity ...................................411
choosing the right fuel ...........390
detergent in fuel .....................392
filling your vehicle with fuel ..................386, 389, 393
filter, specifications ................386
fuel pump shut-off ..................321
improving fuel economy ........393
octane rating ...................391, 415
quality ......................................391

444

running out of fuel .................392
safety information relating to automotive fuels ................386

Fuel - flex fuel vehicle (FFV) .........................386, 390–391
Fuses ..................................321–322

Garage door opener ..................116
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............389
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy) .................393
Gauges .........................................21

Hazard flashers .........................320
Headlamps ...................................87
aiming ........................................90
autolamp system .......................87
daytime running lights .............89
flash to pass ..............................88
high beam .................................88
replacing bulbs .........................94
turning on and off ....................87

Heating

heating and air conditioning system .................................78, 81
Hill descent mode .....................281
Hill start assist ..........................294
Hood ..........................................371

Ignition ...............................265, 415
Illuminated visor mirror .............99

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Index

anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........272
Loading instructions .................251
Load limits .................................244
Locks

autolock ...................................137
childproof ................................141
doors ........................................137
Lug nuts ....................................347
Lumbar support, seats .....160–161

Manual transmission

fluid capacities ........................411
Message center ...............22–23, 39
english/metric button ...............27
system check button ................27
warning messages ...............29, 48
Mirrors ...............................105–106

automatic dimming rearview mirror ......................................105
fold away .........................107–109
heated ........................................81
programmable memory ..........143
side view mirrors (power) .....106
.......................................109
signal Moon roof ..................................115
Motorcraft威 parts ......................410
MyKey ........................................129

Navigation system .......................77

Octane rating ............................391
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................375
445

Infant seats (see Safety seats) .....................199
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing ........................................398
Instrument panel

cleaning ...........................365–366
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel and interior .......................................89

Jack ............................................331
positioning ...............................331
storage .....................................331
Jump-starting your vehicle ......348

Keyless entry system

autolock ...................................137
keypad .....................................148
locking and unlocking doors ..149
programming entry code .......148
Keys ...................................129, 150
positions of the ignition .........265

Lamps

autolamp system .......................87
daytime running light ...............89
fog lamps ...................................88
headlamps .................................87
headlamps, flash to pass ..........88
instrument panel, dimming .....89
interior lamps ...........................92
replacing bulbs ...................94–97
LATCH anchors .........................206
Lights, warning and indicator ....14

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Index

Parental MyKey programming .............................129
Parking brake ............................273
Parts (see Motorcraft威 parts) ...........410
Pedals (see Power adjustable foot pedals) ...............................110
Power adjustable foot pedals ...110
Power distribution box (see Fuses) ...............................327
Power door locks ......................137
Power mirrors ...........................106
Powerpoint ................................101
Power steering ..........................282
fluid, checking and adding ....399
fluid, refill capacity ................411
Power Windows .........................103
Preparing to drive your vehicle ........................................285

Radio ......................................60, 62
Rear-view camera system .........298
Recommendations for attaching safety restraints for children ................................197
Relays ........................................321
Remote entry system .......141–142
illuminated entry ....................145
locking/unlocking doors .........142
Remote start ...........................146
replacement/additional transmitters .............................145
replacing the batteries ...........144

446

Remote start .............................146
Remote start climate operation .....................................85
Reverse sensing system ...........296
Roadside assistance ..................319

Safety belts (see Safety restraints) ...........168, 170, 172, 174–175
Safety Canopy ...................185–186
Safety defects, reporting ..359–360
Safety restraints ...............168, 170, 172, 174–175
Belt-Minder威 ...........................176
extension assembly ................175
for adults .................170, 172, 174
for children .............................195
warning light and chime ........176

Safety restraints - LATCH anchors .........................206
Safety seats for children ..........199
Safety Compliance Certification Label ....................416
Satellite Radio Information ........74
Scheduled Maintenance Guide

Normal Scheduled Maintenance and Log .............428
Seats ..........................................153
child safety seats ....................199
cleaning ...................................368
climate control ..................81, 162
easy access/easyout feature ..164
memory seat ...................143, 163

SecuriCode keyless entry system ........................................147

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Index

rotating ....................................230
safety practices .......................229
sidewall information ...............232
snow tires and chains ............243
spare tire .................................332
terminology .............................220
tire grades ...............................220
treadwear ........................219, 226
Towing .......................................252
recreational towing .................263
Trailer Brake Controller-Integrated ..............256
trailer towing ..........................252
wrecker ....................................351
Traction control ........................274
Trailer Brake Controller-Integrated ................256
Trailer sway control ..................281
Transfer case

fluid checking .........................404
Transmission .............................287
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....285
fluid, checking and adding (automatic) .............................400
fluid, refill capacities ..............411
..................................91

Turn signal

Universal garage door opener ..116
Upfitter controls .......................114
USB port ......................................71

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ..........................................417
Vehicle loading ..........................244
Ventilating your vehicle ...........269
447

SecuriLock passive anti-theft system ................................149–150
Servicing your vehicle ..............370
Setting the clock ...................61, 63
Snowplowing .................7, 316–317
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............189
Spark plugs, specifications .....................410, 415
Special notice ................................8
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
four-wheel drive vehicles .......318
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Speed control ............................110
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......268
Starting your vehicle ........265–268
jump starting ..........................348

Steering wheel

controls ....................................112
tilting .........................................99
SYNC威 ..........................................77

Tailgate ......................................123
Tilt steering wheel ......................99
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Tires, Wheels and Loading ....237
Tires ...........................219–220, 331
alignment ................................229
care ..........................................225
changing ..................331, 334, 337
checking the pressure ............224
inflating ...................................221
label .........................................236
replacing ..................................227

2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)

Index

Warning lights (see Lights) .......14
Washer fluid ..............................374
Water, Driving through .............315
Windows

power .......................................103

Windshield washer fluid and wipers ..........................................98
checking and adding fluid .....374
replacing wiper blades ...........374
Wrecker towing .........................351

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2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23) Owners Guide, 4th Printing USA (fus)