warning light FORD F550 2012 User Guide

Speed control (if equipped): The
speed control system indicator light
changes color to indicate what mode
the system is in:
• On (amber light): Illuminates
when the speed control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed
control system is engaged or turned off.
• Engaged (green light): Illuminates when the speed control system is
engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is disengaged.
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.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high-beam headlamps are turned on.
Diesel warning lights: If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine,
it has some unique warning lights; refer to Instrument Cluster in your
diesel supplement for detailed information on their function.
• Glow plug pre-heat
• Waterinfuel
• Diesel exhaust fluid
Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.Instrument Cluster
20
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Information
In this mode, you can view different vehicle system information and
perform a system check.
When “Press OK for info” is displayed, pressing OK will give you
information on the currently selected/displayed options. Information is
only available when traveling less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
MyKey
Admin Keys (Number of admin keys)
MyKeys (Number of MyKeys programmed)
MyKey Miles (km) (Distance traveled using a programmed MyKey)
System Check*
Oil Life
Engine Hours
Engine Idle Hours
Doors
Exhaust Fluid Level (diesel only)
Brakes
Trailer Brake
Ctrl. Gain and Output (when trailer is connected)
No trailer (when no trailer is connected)
Trailer Sway
Park Aid Check Rear Park Aid
Fuel Level (distance to empty)
* If equipped—your vehicle may be equipped with some or all of these
options.
Some items will only display during a system check if a problem has
been detected. If an issue exists on one of the monitored systems, the
message center will display the number of warnings that need immediate
attention in red and the number of informational warnings will be listed
in amber. Use the up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the list; press
the right arrow button to display specific information on the highlighted
warning. Instrument Cluster
47
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST SYSTEM (diesel engine only) —
Displayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is full of particles
(exhaust soot) and the vehicle is not being operated in a manner to
allow normal cleaning. This message will stay on until the exhaust filter
cleaning has begun, at which time the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER
message will be displayed. It is recommended the vehicle operator drive
the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) until the CLEANING EXHAUST
FILTER message turns off. This message is NORMAL. Refer to your
diesel supplement for more information.
Note: If this message is ignored, your vehicle will continue to fill the
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) with particles (exhaust soot). If cleaning
is not permitted, the light will illuminate and engine power may be
limited. If the vehicle is still not operated in a manner to allow cleaning,
the service engine soon light will illuminate and engine power will
be further limited. Dealer service will then be required to restore your
vehicle to full-power operation.
STOP SAFELY NOW (diesel engine only) — Displayed and a chime
sounds when the vehicle exhaust system temperature exceeds intended
operating range. If this warning occurs, engine power is reduced and the
engine will shut down when the vehicle speed is below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and contact your
authorized dealer. Depending on the severity of the over-temperature
condition, the vehicle may not restart after cycling the ignition off. If the
vehicle restarts, there may be limited power. If the exhaust
over-temperature condition reoccurs, the message center will display
STOP SAFELY NOW, the chime will sound, and engine power will be
reduced again and shut down below 3 mph (5 km/h). Refer to your
diesel supplement for more information.
ENGINE OIL DILUTED (diesel engine only) — Displays once the
engine oil has become diluted and needs to be changed. Refer to your
diesel supplement for more information.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON — Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 5% to 1%.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED — Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
ENGINE TURNS OFF IN 1 SECOND (diesel engine only) —
Displayed when the vehicle is in the final second of a countdown to
where the engine will intentionally be turned off by the PCM. The diesel
engine shutdown is a (regulatory) requirement which may be required of
a particular diesel vehicle for sale in states requiring this feature. Refer
to your diesel supplement for more information.Instrument Cluster
50
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

USB port (if equipped)
WARNING: Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device that may take their
focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of
the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any handheld device
while driving, encourage the use of voice-operated systems when
possible and that you become aware of applicable state and local laws
that may affect the use of electronic devices while driving.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
USB port located on the instrument
panel. This feature allows you to
plug in media playing devices,
memory sticks, and also to charge
devices if they support this feature.
For further information on this
feature, refer to Accessing and
using your USB port in the SYNC 
supplement or Navigation System
supplement.
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
Radio frequencies:
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM: 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM: 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
• Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
• Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
• Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed. Entertainment Systems
71
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
• the ignition must be in the on position,
• the headlamp control is in the off or parking lamp position and
• the parking brake must be disengaged.
• the transmission is not in P (Park)
WARNING: Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
lit components in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
• Tapthetoporbottomofthe
control to brighten/dim all interior
lit components incrementally, or
• Press and hold at the first
position the top or bottom of the
control until the desired lighting level is reached.
• Press and hold the top of the control to the full on position to activate
the “dome on” feature. This will turn on the interior courtesy lights.
The lights will remain on until the bottom of the control is pressed. Lights
89
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

10. For the headlamp bulb, remove
the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
11. For the park or turn lamp bulb,
remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
WARNING: Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing brake/tail/turn/back-up lamp bulbs (pick-ups only)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off,
then open the tailgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
tail lamp assembly and carefully pull
the lamp assembly from the tailgate
pillar by releasing the two retaining
tabs. Lights
95
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING WHEEL
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down to unlock the
steering column.
2. While the lever is in the down
position, move the steering wheel
up or down and in or out until you
find the desired position.
3. While holding the steering wheel
in place, pull the lever up to its
original position to lock the steering
column.
WARNING: Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
Slide-on-rod feature (if
equipped)
Rotate the visor towards the side
window and extend it rearward for
additional sunlight coverage.
Note: To stow the visor back into
the headliner, visor must be
retracted before moving it back
towards the windshield. Driver Controls
99
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

• Two removable front cupholder
modules
• Removable false bottom tray for
accessing hidden storage
compartment (also has space for
a large cup)
WARNING: Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects
can injure you in a collision.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT (12V DC)
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet for this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Auxiliary power points can be found in the following locations:
• On the instrument panel (two locations)
• Inside the center console storage compartment (if equipped)
• On the rear of the center console (if equipped)
• Inside the 20-percent front seat console (if equipped)
• Inside the rear under seat storage compartment (if equipped)
Do not use the power point for operating the cigarette lighter element (if
equipped).
Note: Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter
socket (if equipped). Improper use of the lighter can cause damage not
covered by your warranty, and can result in fire or serious injury.
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the power point(s)
over the vehicle capacity of 12V DC/180W. If the power point or cigar
lighter socket is not working, a fuse may have blown. Refer to Fuses and
relays in the Roadside Emergencies chapter for information on
checking and replacing fuses. Driver Controls
101
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

The power point can switch to a fault mode when it is overloaded,
overheated, or shorted. For overloading and shorting conditions, unplug
your device and turn the ignition key off then on. For an overheating
condition, let the system cool off, then turn the ignition key off then on.
The 110V AC power point can provide power whenever the vehicle
ignition is in the on position and the power point green indicator light
located in the top left corner is turned on. Refer to the indicator light
code below for the power point status.
Indicator light codes
Green light is on — Power point is ready to supply power
Green light is off — Power point power supply is off. Ignition is not in
the on position
Green light is blinking — Power point is in fault mode
Note: The 110V AC power point will turn off after 13 minutes if the
ignition is in the on position without the engine running. Keep the
engine running or cycle the ignition before the 13 minute time-out to
keep the inverter on.
POWER WINDOWS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle and
do not let children play with the power windows. They may
seriously injure themselves.
WARNING: When closing the power windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and ensure that children and/or
pets are not in the proximity of the window openings.
Press and pull the window switches
to open and close windows.
• Press down (to the first detent)
and hold the switch to open.
• Pull up (to the first detent) and
hold the switch to close.
Rear Window Buffeting: When one or both of the rear windows are
open, the vehicle may demonstrate a wind throb or buffeting noise. This
noise can be alleviated by lowering a front window approximately 2–3 in.
(5–8 cm). Driver Controls
103
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)

INTERIOR MIRROR
The interior rearview mirror has two pivot points on the support arm
which lets you adjust the mirror up or down and from side to side.
WARNING: Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror (if equipped)
The interior rear view mirror has an auto-dimming function. The
electronic day/night mirror will change from the normal (high reflective)
state to the non-glare (darkened) state when bright lights (glare) reach
the mirror. When the mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle,
it will automatically adjust (darken) to minimize glare.
The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior
rear view mirror since this may impair proper mirror
performance.
Note: A rear center passenger and/or raised rear center headrest (if
equipped) may also block the light from reaching the sensor.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Note: If equipped with a rearview camera system, a video image will
display in the mirror or the navigation system display (if equipped) when
the vehicle is put in R (Reverse). As you shift into any other gear from R
(Reverse), the image will remain for a few seconds and then turn off.
Refer to Rearview camera system in the Driving chapter.Driver Controls
105
2012 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA (fus)