weight FORD F450 2012 Owner's Manual

To determine which trailer hitch your vehicle is equipped with, refer to
the trailer hitch label located on trailer hitch cross tube. Once you
determine which trailer hitch you have consult your authorized dealer,
the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealer or online at
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/default.asp.
WARNING: The hitch rating listed on the trailer hitch label are
maximum possible trailer ratings for that hitch but may not be
what your vehicle is capable of towing. To find the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your specific vehicle, consult your authorized dealer
(or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your authorized
dealer).
WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight
exceeds the limit of the towing system and could result in
vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
Weight-Distributing Hitches
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender, this is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender a second time, this is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the
height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height
accordingly and repeat Steps 3–6.
WARNING: Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of
the weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling,
and could result in serious personal injury.Tires, Wheels and Loading
254
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Fifth-wheel trailer hitch (if equipped)
To find the maximum trailer weight allowed for your vehicle, consult
your authorized dealer (or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided
by your authorized dealer).
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing
Your vehicle may be equipped with a fifth-wheel prep package. This
package enables your vehicle to accept certain fifth-wheel trailer hitches
and gooseneck ball hitches. The fifth-wheel trailer hitch is attached to
the four mounting pads in the pick-up bed; an optional 7–pin connector
provided in the bed as well. Alternatively, if a gooseneck ball hitch is
used, the ball is attached to the tube in the center of the bed.
Shorter pick-up boxes (e.g. 6’ 6” F-250/350) provide less clearance
between the cab and fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer compared to “long box”
pick-ups. When selecting a trailer and tow vehicle, it’s critical that this
combination provide clearance between the cab and tow vehicle for turns
up to and including 90 degrees. Failure to follow this recommendation
could result in the trailer contacting the cab of the tow vehicle during tight
turns that are typical during low-speed parking and turning maneuvers.
This contact could result in damage to the trailer and tow vehicle.
WARNING: The mounting pads in the bed are specifically
designed for certain fifth-wheel trailer hitches and gooseneck ball
hitches. Do not use these mounting pads for other purposes. Doing so
could result in vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle control, and
personal injury. Contact your authorized dealer to purchase gooseneck
and fifth-wheel hitches that are compatible with your vehicle.
WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum limit of the
towing system could result in vehicle structural damage, loss of
vehicle control and personal injury.
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch ratings
WARNING: The hitch rating listed on the trailer hitch label is
the maximum possible trailer rating. To find the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your specific vehicle, consult your authorized dealer
or the RV and Trailer Towing Guide provided by your authorized
dealer. Tires, Wheels and Loading
255
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Parking brake
To set the parking brake, press the
parking brake pedal down until the
pedal stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated until the
parking brake is released.
Pull the release lever to release the
parking brake. To prevent the pedal
from releasing too quickly, place
your left foot on the service brake
pedal, then slowly pull the release
lever until the pedal slowly releases.
Make sure that the pedal is fully
released. You may want to pull the
release lever again to make sure the
parking brake is fully released.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
If you’re parking your vehicle on a grade or with a trailer, press and hold
the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. There may be a little
vehicle movement as the parking brake sets to hold the vehicle’s weight.
This is normal and should be no reason for concern. If needed, press and
hold the service brake pedal down, then try reapplying the parking
brake. Chock the wheels if required. If the parking brake cannot hold the
weight of the vehicle, the parking brake may need to be serviced or the
vehicle may be overloaded. P!
BRAKE Driving
273
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

AdvanceTrac  with RSC  Features (SRW only)
Button functions Stability
control
light RSC  ESC TCS
Button pressed again
after deactivation Not
illuminated Enabled Enabled Enabled
Transfer case
switched to 4WD
Low 3
Illuminated Disabled Disabled Disabled1
ESC has reduced sensitivity compared to fully active system. 2
Lamp light starts blinking for 4 seconds after entering press and hold
state. 3
Engaging 4WD Low locked automatically disables RSC, ESC and TSC.
Trailer sway control
Your vehicle may be equipped with trailer sway control. When properly
equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s AdvanceTrac  with
RSC  system to detect and help reduce trailer sway by applying brake
force at individual wheels and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
WARNING: Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from
swaying, it mitigates the sway from increasing once it has
occurred. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is likely that the trailer
is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight or the speed of the
vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer over to a safe
location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue load and
reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN.
During trailer sway control events the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily. The message center will also
display TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED. In some cases when trailer
sway is detected, the vehicle speed is too high and may be above a
speed at which trailer sway will not grow continuously. This may cause
the system to activate multiple times, causing a gradual reduction in
speed.Driving
280
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends that the Super Duty F-Series used for snow removal
include the Snow Plow Package Option.
Installing the snowplow
Weight limits and guidelines for selecting and installing the snowplow can
be found in the Ford Truck Body Builders Layout Book, Snowplow
section, found at www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas. A typical installation
affects the following:
• Certification to government safety laws such as occupant protection
and airbag deployment, braking, and lighting. Look for an “Alterer’s
Label” on the vehicle from the snowplow installer certifying that the
installation meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS).
• The Total Accessory Reserve Capacity (TARC) is shown on the lower
right side of the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
applies to Ford-completed vehicles of 10,000 lb. (4,536 kg) GVWR or
less. This is the weight of permanently-attached auxiliary equipment,
such as snowplow frame-mounting hardware, that can be added to the
vehicle and satisfy Ford compliance certification to FMVSS. Exceeding
this weight may require the auxiliary equipment installer additional
safety certification responsibility. The Front Accessory Reserve
Capacity (FARC) is added for customer convenience.
• Rear ballast weight behind the rear axle may be required to prevent
exceeding the FGAWR, and provide front-to-rear weight balance for
proper braking and steering.
• Front wheel toe may require re-adjustment to prevent premature
uneven tire wear. Specifications are found in the Ford Workshop
Manual.
• Headlight aim may require re-adjustment.
• The tire air pressures recommended for general driving are found on
the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label. The maximum cold inflation
pressure for the tire and associated load rating is imprinted on the tire
sidewall. Tire air pressure may require re-adjustment within these
pressure limits to accommodate the additional weight of the snowplow
installation.
• Federal and some local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your authorized dealer for
additional information.Driving
316
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

• Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
• Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
• Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
• Use recommended engine oil. Refer to Maintenance product
specifications and capacities in this chapter.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in scheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
• Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
• To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close windows for high speed driving. Maintenance and Specifications
395
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
Devices and their location
3. Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maintenance and Specifications
417
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Peace of mind
• Keyless entry keypad • Back up alarm*
• Remote start • Cable lock*
• Vehicle security systems • Bed hooks*
• Wheel locks • Tool/Cargo boxes*
• Protective seat covers*
• Bumper and hitch mounted parking sensors*
Not all accessories are available for all models.
*Ford Licensed Accessories (FLA) are warranted by the accessory
manufacturer’s warranty. Ford Licensed Accessories are fully designed
and developed by the accessory manufacturer and have not been
designed or tested to Ford Motor Company engineering requirements.
Contact your Ford dealer for details regarding the manufacturer’s limited
warranty and/or a copy of the FLA product limited warranty offered by
the accessory manufacturer.
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
• When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems — such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by your authorized dealer.
• Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your vehicle,
particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive use.
• To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
• Any non-Ford custom electrical or electronic accessories or
components that are added to the vehicle by the authorized dealer or
the owner may adversely affect battery performance and durability.Accessories
420
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)