engine coolant FORD F450 2012 Owners Manual

Roadside Emergencies 319Getting roadside assistance 319
Hazard flasher control 320
Fuel pump shut-off 321
Fuses and relays 321
Changing tires 331
Wheel lug nut torque 347
Jump starting 348
Wrecker towing 351
Customer Assistance 353Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 359
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 360
Cleaning 361
Maintenance and Specifications 370Engine compartment 371
Engine oil 375
Battery 377
Engine coolant 379
Engine coolant check 379
Fuel information 386
Air filter(s) 405
Part numbers 410
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 411
Engine data 415
Accessories 419
Ford Extended Service Plan 421Table of Contents
3
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic Alarm Engine Oil
Engine Coolant Engine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When Hot Battery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or Sparks Battery Acid
Explosive Gas Fan Warning
Power Steering Fluid Maintain Correct Fluid
Level MAX
MIN
Service Engine Soon Engine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter Jack
Check Fuel Cap Low Tire Pressure
WarningIntroduction
13
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Door ajar (RTT): Displays when
the ignition is in the on position and
any door is not completely closed.
Engine coolant temperature
(RTT): Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let cool. Refer
to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped): Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer to Inflating your tires in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for three seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light
does not turn on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
For more information on this system, refer to Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter.
Hill descent (if equipped):
Displays when using the hill descent
mode. Refer to the Driving chapter
for transmission function and
operation.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(if equipped): Displays when the
Tow/Haul feature has been
activated. Refer to the Driving
chapter for transmission function and operation. If the light flashes
steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur.Instrument Cluster
18
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

GAUGES
Base cluster with automatic transmission shown. Metric similar.
1. Engine oil pressure gauge: Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal operating range (between L and H). If
the needle falls below the normal range, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine and check the engine oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil level is
correct, have your vehicle checked at your authorized dealer.
2. Engine coolant temperature gauge: Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating temperature, the needle will be in the
normal range (between H and C). If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
3. Transmission fluid temperature gauge: If the gauge is in the:
Normal area The transmission fluid is within the normal operating
temperature (between H and C). 1 2 3 4
6 5Instrument Cluster
21
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW — Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Brake
fluid in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM — Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED — Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC OFF (if equipped) — Displayed when the
AdvanceTrac  system has been disabled by the driver.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC (if equipped) — Displayed when the
AdvanceTrac  system has detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TRANSPORT MODE CONTACT DEALER (if equipped) —
Displayed when the vehicle is set to transport mode. The transport mode
is used to disable certain vehicle functions to prevent battery discharge
when the vehicle is in the transport/inventory phase and is not driven
long enough to maintain the battery’s charge. This mode can be disabled
by doing the following: Turn the ignition on, without starting the engine.
Press and release the brake pedal fully five times and press the hazard
button four times (on, off, on, off) within 10 seconds.
CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE (diesel engine only) — Displayed
when the coolant additive needs to be checked. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
POWER REDUCED TO LOWER ENGINE TEMP — Displayed when
the engine temperature gauge needle moves to H. You may notice
reduced engine power. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance
and Specifications chapter for more information.
CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER (diesel engine only) — Displayed when
the vehicle has entered the cleaning mode. Various engine actions will raise
the exhaust temperature in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system to
burn off the particles (exhaust soot). After the particles are burned off, the
exhaust temperature will fall back to normal levels. This message is
NORMAL. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
WARNING: When the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER message
appears in the message center, do not park near flammable
materials, vapors or structures until filter cleaning is complete. Instrument Cluster
49
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions (flexible
fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to start,
repeat Step 1.
Guarding against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING: If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you smell
exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the engine idling for long periods of
time, we recommend that you do one of the following:
• Open the windows at least one inch (2.5 centimeters).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt A/C electrical
source. The engine block heater plug can be located through the center
opening of the lower front bumper assembly. The block heater system is
most effective when outdoor temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
For flexible fuel vehicles, if operating with E85 ethanol, an engine block
heater must be used if ambient temperature is below 0°F (-18°C).
See Cold weather starting earlier in this chapter for more information
on starting with ethanol.
WARNING: Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury. Driving
269
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

6.2L V8 gasoline engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Engine coolant reservoir
6. Power distribution box
7. Air filter assembly
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Battery 1 2 3 4 5 6
10
9
8 7Maintenance and Specifications
372
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

6.8L V10 gasoline engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Battery
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Power distribution box 1 2
3 5
6 7
8 9 10
4
Maintenance and Specifications
373
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
• The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
• If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is reconnected.
• Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking the engine coolant
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to the
Maintenance and Specifications section of your Diesel Supplement.
Check the concentration and level of the engine coolant at the intervals
listed in the Scheduled Maintenance Information.
The coolant concentration should be maintained at 50%.
L E A D
RETURN
RECYCLEMaintenance and Specifications
379
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Note: For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note: The engine coolant should be at the FULL COLD level, or between
the MIN and MAX marks, or within the COLD FILL RANGE, as listed on
the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon the application).
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
FULL COLD level, or the MAX mark, or the COLD FILL RANGE.
If the level is below the FULL COLD level, at or below the MIN mark, or
below the COLD FILL RANGE, add coolant immediately per the Adding
engine coolant instructions in this chapter.
Note: Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant/antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
WARNING: Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING: Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING: Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants, or unapproved
additives as they can cause damage to the engine cooling or heating
systems. This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.Maintenance and Specifications
380
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)