I just realized the other day that our F150s have a computer assisted cranking system. You don't have to keep holding the key in the 4th "start" position until the motor fully starts... the ecu does it for you. Try it out.. stick your key in and just quickly turn to start and release before motor fully starts.. the truck will keep cranking until the motor is fully started.

Pretty cool feature.. this is the first car I've ever owned that did this. My other cars stall/fail to start if I let go of the key too soon. I guess this feature also keeps you from grinding the starter when the motor is already running.

From the manual page 281:
"Your vehicle engine has a computer assisted cranking system that assists in starting the engine. After releasing the key from the 4 (start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to 10 seconds or until the vehicle starts."

 

Yeah, i got the biggest kick out of this!!!!

 

It will so keep you from grinding the starter if you try to start it while it already running. Which I found out by trying.

 

Yea, wait until you go and drive an older vehicle. First you can't get it started, then you can't get the lane change to blink more than once!

 

Glad to see Ford catching up to this. My 2004 Toyota 4Runner was able to do this.

 

My '08 4Runner does this too. I think my silverado did but it didn't always work right.

 

my 09 F150 has this too, I think 09 was the first year they added it.

 

This made me laugh. I have trouble all the time driving my wife's Aramada.
First, I have to hit the starter about 3 times to get it to start.
Second, it always feels like there is something wrong with the power steering.
Third, I end up driving uncomfortably because I drive with her vehicle settings.
Fourth, I end up hitting the turn signal 3-4 times to change lanes. Then when I am actually turning, I nearly break the lever off trying to get it all the way down.
It did not take me long to get used to the F150.

 

I did a poll about this on 09+ F150s, some didn't know about it. By now I think most of us have realized it. You'd either have to read the manual, hear about it, or accidentally let go too early to notice it.... it doesn't appear to be marketed at all.

 

My company vehicle (2008 f150) has this feature