traction control FORD F650 2012 12.G Owners Manual

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Traction control (if equipped)
(diesel engine only):Illuminates
and flashes slowly if the Off Road or
Mud/Snow mode is selected.
Illuminates and flashes rapidly
during a traction control event.
Traction control (if equipped)
(gasoline engine only):
Illuminates when the traction
control is active. If the light remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately, refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
Trailer anti-lock brake system
(ABS):Illuminates briefly when the
engine is powered-up and only when
a PLC trailer or a PLC diagnostic
tool is connected. If the light
remains on after the vehicle is
started, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately.
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.
Wait to start (diesel engine
only):Illuminates when the air
intake heater is in operation and
special starting procedures are
required. Refer toStartingin theDrivingchapter.
WARNING:If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use
ether or any other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids
(ether) in an engine equipped with an air intake heater could result in
damage and/or personal injury.
Instrument Cluster
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Note:Manual transmissions should be downshifted to the lowest gear
possible, without exceeding the maximum RPM limit of the engine. This
maximizes the exhaust brake’s retarding effect.
Note:Exhaust brakes operate effectively with automatic transmissions,
but performance varies with engine speed and the gear selected by the
transmission.
Note:Installing an exhaust or auxiliary brake does not necessarily
protect the engine from exceeding maximum governed speed. The
primary brakes should be used to make sure the engine never exceeds
maximum governed speed under any conditions.
WARNING:The exhaust brake is not recommended for use on
slippery or low traction road surfaces. Under these conditions a
loss of vehicle control could occur.
Exhaust brake operating characteristics
When you remove your feet from both the accelerator and clutch pedals
and the exhaust brake switch is in the on position, the exhaust brake is
activated. The following conditions should exist if the brake is operating
properly:
•A slight change in the sound of the engine when the exhaust brake is
activated.
•A smooth braking effect; do not expect a retarding effect similar to
sudden, hard application of the service brakes.
•The retarding force possibly felt acting against your body when the
brake is applied, depending on the grade and vehicle load. The brake’s
retarding force is actually preventing the vehicle from going much
faster.
•Engine temperature remains in the normal operating range.
•During a descent, the tachometer usually shows a drop in engine RPM
depending on the grade and the vehicle load.
•Road speed usually decreases when the exhaust brake is applied
during a descent, except when the vehicle is carrying a heavy load or
the grade is extremely steep. In these instances, you may need to
apply the service brakes occasionally.
Driving
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TRACTION CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a traction control system which helps
you maintain stability and steerability, especially on slippery road
surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads and gravel roads, by
reducing engine power and/or selectively applying the rear brakes.
Note:The traction control system does not apply the brakes when
vehicle speed is above 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the traction control switch is
pressed, standard traction control
changes to Off Road or Mud/Snow
traction mode and the traction
control light illuminates and flashes
slowly. If a traction event occurs, in
either mode, the light flashes
rapidly. The standard traction
control can be selected by pressing
the traction control switch again or
is automatically selected at next
ignition cycle.
During traction control operation,
the traction control light flashes
rapidly and the engine does not
“rev-up” when you press further on
the accelerator; this is normal
system behavior and should be no
reason for concern. If the traction
control light does not flash during a
traction control event or stays illuminated, the system is not functioning
properly, take your vehicle to your dealer for service.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching to the Off Road or Mud/Snow mode. This may
allow excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
WARNING:Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe
personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a traction
control event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
MUD/SNOW
TRACTION
Driving
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Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when both drive
wheels are on a slippery surface.
WARNING:Sudden accelerations on slippery surfaces could
cause the wheels to spin, the vehicle to turn sideways on a
crowned road surface or in a turn, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control and personal injury.
Some drive axles have a driver-controlled differential lock. The
differential lock can lock or unlock the differential when the vehicle is
moving or stopped. When extra traction is required, the differential lock
provides full power to both axles.
When the differential is locked, the vehicle’s turning radius increases
(vehicle “under-steers”).
The differential can be locked or unlocked when the vehicle is moving at
a constant speed of under 25 mph (40 km/h) and while the wheels are
not slipping. The differential must not be locked when the vehicle is
traveling down steep grades and traction is minimal.
Note:Never use the differential lock at vehicle speeds above 25 mph
(40 km/h).
The differential lock and differential lock light automatically disengage at
speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h). The differential lock remains off until
either the vehicle is restarted or the differential lock switch is turned off
then back on.
Axle conversions
It is not recommended, or approved, for axle conversions to be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket
add-on axles are installed by others on the truck chassis which allow
operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift axles).
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
Driving
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gauge .........................................28
improving fuel economy ........216
octane rating ...........207, 262–263
quality ......................................208
running out of fuel .........107, 209
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................204
Fuses ..................................153, 162
G
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................216
Gauges .........................................28
battery voltage gauge ...............28
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................28
engine oil pressure gauge ........28
fuel gauge ..................................28
odometer ...................................28
speedometer .............................28
tachometer ................................28
trip odometer ............................28
H
Hazard flashers .........................153
Headlamps ...................................50
aiming ........................................51
daytime running lights .............50
high beam .................................50
warning chime ..........................20
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................47
Hood ..........................................189
I
Ignition .......................103, 262–263
chime .........................................20Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..92
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................178
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................51
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......162
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............20
positions of the ignition .........103
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................52
cargo lamps ...............................51
daytime running light ...............50
headlamps .................................50
high beams ................................50
instrument panel, dimming .....51
interior lamps ...........................52
replacing bulbs ...................52–54
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................51
Lights, warning and indicator ....20
air suspension ...........................20
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....20, 127
brake ..........................................20
charging system ........................20
safety belt .................................20
service engine soon ..................20
traction control off ...................20
turn signal indicator .................20
Locks
childproof ..................................68
Index
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USA(fus)

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Steering .....................................188
Steering wheel
controls ................................56, 65
tilting .........................................56
Suspension ........................129, 229
SYNC..........................................46
T
Tachometer .................................28
Tires ...........................................238
Towing
wrecker ....................................166
Traction control
off light ......................................20
Transmission .....................132, 138
automatic operation ...............132
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....131
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................226
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................227
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
lubricant specifications ..........245
manual operation ....................138
Turn signal ..................................51
U
Upfitter controls .........................65UREA
.........................................210
USB port
......................................45
V
Vehicle loading
..................146–147
Voltmeter
(see Battery voltage gauge)
......28
W
Warning chimes
...........................20
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......20
Washer fluid
..............................191
Water, Driving through
.............108
Wheels
.......................................232
Windows
power
.........................................58
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................55
operation
...................................55
replacing wiper blades
...........192
Wrecker towing
.........................166
Index
306
2012 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)