FORD F150 2012 12.G Owners Manual

To deactivate the tow/haul feature and return to normal driving mode,
press the button on the end of the gearshift lever. The TOW HAUL light
will no longer be illuminated. Tow/haul will also deactivate when the
vehicle is powered down.
WARNING:Do not use the tow/haul feature when driving in icy
or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause
the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.
3 (Third) (column-shift only) (For vehicles without SST)
Transmission operates in third gear only.
Used for improved traction on slippery roads.
2 (Second)
Transmission operates in 2nd gear only.
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads.
1 (First)
•Transmission operates in 1st gear only.
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Drive) only.
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ transmission (SST)
gearshift lever (if equipped)
This vehicle may be equipped with a SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) gearshift lever. The SST is an automatic transmission
with the ability for the driver to change gears up or down (without a
clutch) as desired. The SST feature has two modes: PRS and M mode.
Driving
301
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

PRS (Progressive Range
Selection)
With the gearshift lever in D
(Drive), press the – button to active
PRS. The available and selected
gears will be indicated on the
instrument cluster.
All available gears will be displayed
with the current gear indicated.
Press the – button again to lock out
gears beginning with the highest
gear. Example: press the – button
twice to lock out 6th and 5th gears.
Only the available gears will be
displayed and the transmission will
automatically shift between the
available gears. Press the + button to unlock gears to allow the
transmission to shift to higher gears. The transmission will shift
automatically within the gear range you select.
M (Manual)
With the gearshift lever in M (Manual), the driver can change gears up
or down as desired. This is called SelectShift Automatic™ transmission
(SST) mode. By moving the gearshift lever from drive position D (Drive)
to M (Manual), you now have control of selecting the gear you desire
using buttons on the shift lever. Only the current gear will be displayed.
Press the + button or the – button to upshift or downshift. If the –
button is pressed at a vehicle speed that would cause an engine
overspeed, the requested gear will flash then disappear and the
transmission will remain in the current gear.
To return to normal D (Drive) position, move the shift lever back from M
to D.
The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating
Shift from:
1 – 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 – 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 – 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
T/H
PR
N
D
M
2
1
+
-
Driving
302
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Upshifts when accelerating
Shift from:
4 – 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 – 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which
may cause it to stall, the SST will still automatically make some
downshifts if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time.
Although the SST will make some downshifts for you, it will still allow
you to downshift at any time as long as the SST determines that the
engine will not be damaged from over-revving.
The SST will not automatically upshift, even if the engine is approaching
the RPM limit. It must be shifted manually by pressing the + button.
Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
Hill start assist
WARNING:The hill start assist feature does not replace the
parking brake. When you leave the vehicle, always apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
WARNING:You must remain in the vehicle once you have
activated the hill start assist feature.
WARNING:If the engine is revved excessively, or if a
malfunction is detected when the hill start assist feature is
active, the hill start assist feature will be deactivated.
Hill start assist keeps your vehicle stationary long enough to move your foot
from the brake to the accelerator pedal when your vehicle is on a slope.
Activating hill start assist
1. Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.
Keep the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that the vehicle is on a slope, the hill start assist
feature will be activated automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle will
remain on the slope without rolling away for approximately two or three
seconds. This hold time will automatically be extended if you are in the
process of driving off.
Driving
303
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will be released automatically.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the reverse sensing system as
contained in this section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat
surface at “parking speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the
function of the RSS; this may include reduced performance or a false
activation.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, always use caution
when in reverse and when using the RSS.
WARNING:This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a
warning to assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to
avoid damaging the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller
objects, particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING:Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
Driving
304
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The RSS detects obstacles up to
6 feet (2 meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.
While receiving a warning the radio
volume may be reduced to a
predetermined level. After the
warning goes away, the radio will return to the previous volume.
The RSS may have reduced performance or an increased chance of false
detection if the tailgate is not locked and in the upright position. If the
tailgate is down, the RSS tone may be heard intermittently or
continuously. The tone may also be heard if items in the truck bed
protrude rearward outside the bed.
The RSS automatically turns on when the gearshift lever is placed in R
(Reverse) and the ignition is on. A control in the message center allows
the driver to disable the system, refer toMessage center and Rear park
aidin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKeyrestricted
featuresin theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a fully integrated electronic trailer
brake controller (TBC) and a trailer with electric trailer brakes is
connected to your vehicle, the RSS will be disabled. When the vehicle is
shifted into reverse, the message center display will remain in the Rear
Park Aid Off selection. For more information on the TBC, refer to the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
Driving
305
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
REARVIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear video camera system,
located on the tailgate, provides a
video image which appears on the
rearview mirror or touchscreen
display, of the area behind the
vehicle. It adds assistance to the
driver while reversing or reverse
parking the vehicle. To use the rear
video camera system, place the
transmission in R (Reverse). An
image will display on the rearview
mirror or on the touchscreen display. The area displayed on the screen
may vary according to the vehicle orientation and/or road condition.
The rear video camera includes the following features that will assist the
driver in reverse driving.
Fixed guidelines
The fixed guidelines assist a driver with backing into a parking space or
aligning with an object behind the vehicle.
If equipped with touch screen display: To turn this feature on or off
when the vehicle is in R (Reverse), select Settings on the touch screen
display. The fixed guideline options are FIXED and OFF.
If equipped with rearview mirror display and optional instrument cluster:
To turn this feature on or off, select the following from the message
center in the instrument cluster:
1. Settings
2. Driver Assist
3. Rear View Camera
4. Guidelines
The guidelines options are FIXED and OFF. If the vehicle is equipped
with a rearview mirror display and a standard instrument cluster, the
fixed guidelines will always remain on. There is no option to turn the
fixed guidelines off.
Driving
306
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Visual park aid alert (if equipped)
Visual park aid alert allows the driver to see the area that is causing the
reverse sensing system to beep. The visual alerts are red, yellow or green
highlights which appear on top of the video image when an object is
detected by the reverse sensing system. The visual alert will highlight
the closest object detected by the reverse sensing system. The reverse
sensing alert can be disabled and if visual park aid alert is enabled,
highlighted areas will still be displayed.
If equipped with touch screen display: To turn this feature on or off
when the vehicle is in R (Reverse), select Settings on the touch screen
display. The visual park aid alert options are ON and OFF.
If equipped with rearview mirror display and optional instrument cluster:
To turn this feature on or off, select the following from the message
center in the instrument cluster:
1. Settings
2. Driver Assist
3. Rear View Camera
4. Visual Park Aid
The visual park aid alert options are ON and OFF. The visual park aid
alert feature is not available on vehicles with a rearview mirror and a
standard instrument cluster.
Note:The reverse sensing system is not effective at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or moving objects.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Center line of vehicle
Always use caution while backing. Objects in the red zone (2) are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the green zone (4) are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone (4) to
the yellow (3) or red zones (2). Use the side mirrors and rearview mirror
to get better coverage on both sides and rear of the vehicle.
Driving
307
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

When towing, the reverse camera system will only see what is being
towed behind the vehicle. This might not provide adequate coverage as it
usually provides in normal operation and some objects might not be
seen.
Fixed guidelines and visual park aid alert features are only available
when the vehicle is in R (Reverse).
Manual zoom
The manual zoom feature assists drivers with connecting their vehicle to
a trailer for the purpose of towing. It allows the driver to manually zoom
closer to an object behind the vehicle. The zoomed image keeps the
bumper in the image to provide a reference.
If equipped with touch screen display: To turn the manual zoom feature
on or off, do the following:
1. Place the vehicle in R (Reverse).
2. Select Zoom on the touch screen display.
Press
orto manually adjust
the zoom levels. You can choose
from OFF, Level 1, Level 2 and
Level 3. The selected level will
appear between the buttons (i.e.
Level 1). When activating manual
zoom mode, the system always
starts from OFF.
If equipped with rearview mirror display and optional instrument cluster:
To turn the manual zoom feature on or off, do the following:
1. Place the vehicle in R (Reverse).
2. A rear park aid menu will appear. Select either ON or OFF by using
the steering wheel controls to scroll up or down and the OK button to
make a selection. A selection must be made in order to get to the
camera zoom menu.
Driving
308
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Pressandon the steering
wheel controls to select a zoom
option. You can choose from OFF,
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Use
the OK button to make a selection.
When activating manual zoom mode,
the system will always start from
OFF.
The manual zoom feature is not available on vehicles equipped a
rearview mirror display and a standard instrument cluster.
When manual zoom is enabled, only the centerline will be shown.
Rear camera delay
If equipped with rearview mirror display and optional instrument cluster:
After shifting out of R (Reverse) and into any gear, the image will remain
until vehicle speed reaches 5 mph (8 km/h). This will only occur if the
rear camera delay feature is ON. The default setting for the rear camera
delay is ON. To turn this feature on or off, select the following from the
message center in the instrument cluster:
1. Settings
2. Driver Assist
3. Rear View Camera
4. Camera Delay
The camera delay options are ON and OFF. If the vehicle is equipped
with a rearview mirror display and the standard instrument cluster, the
camera delay will always remain on. There is no option to turn the
camera delay off.
If equipped with the touchscreen display: After shifting out of R
(Reverse) and into any gear other than P (Park), the image will remain
until the vehicle speed reaches five mph (8 km/h). This will only occur if
the rear camera delay feature is on, or until any radio button is selected.
The default setting for the rear camera delay is ON. Use the Settings
function on the touchscreen display to set the rear camera delay on or
off. Refer to the navigation supplement for more information.
When towing, the rearview camera system will only see what is being
towed behind the vehicle. This might not provide adequate coverage it
usually provides in normal operation and some objects might not be
seen.
Driving
309
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The camera lens for the reverse camera system is located on the tailgate.
Keep the lens clean so the video image remains clear and undistorted.
Clean the lens with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
Note:If the camera system image is not clear or seems distorted, it may
be covered with water droplets, snow, mud or any other substance. If
this occurs, clean the camera lens before using the camera system.
WARNING:The rearview camera system is a reverse aid
supplement device that still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the rearview mirror and the side mirrors for
maximum coverage.
WARNING:Objects that are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper, might not be seen on the screen
due to the limited coverage of the camera system.
WARNING:Backup as slow as possible since higher speeds
might limit your reaction time to stop the vehicle.
WARNING:Do not use the rearview camera system when the
tailgate is open. If the back end of the vehicle is hit or damaged,
check with your authorized dealer to have your rear camera system
checked for proper coverage and operation.
WARNING:When manual zoom is enabled (Level 1, Level 2 or
Level 3), the full area behind the vehicle will not be shown. Be
aware of your surroundings when using the manual zoom feature.
Night time and dark area use
At night time or in dark areas, the camera system relies on the reverse
lamp lighting to produce an image. Therefore it is necessary that both
reverse lamps are operating in order to get a clear image in the dark. If
either of the lamps are not operating, stop using the camera system, at
least in the dark, until the lamp(s) are replaced and functioning.
Servicing
•If the image comes on while the vehicle is not in R (Reverse), have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
Driving
310
2012 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)