Page 89 of 384

PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel when exterior
lights are on.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from left
to right to brighten the
instrument panel.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from right
to left to dim the instrument
panel.
•Rotate fully to the right (past detent) to turn on interior lamps.
•Rotate to the left position (past detent) to turn off the interior lamps
and will also disable the illuminated entry feature.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer switch requires re-calibration. Rotate the dimmer
switch from the full dim position to the full Dome/ON position to reset.
This will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting
conditions.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed before leaving the
assembly plant. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if you have
problems fixing the alignment of your headlamps, have them checked by
a qualified service technician.
Headlamp aim adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle can only be vertically adjusted. Your
vehicle does not require horizontal aim adjustments.
To adjust the headlamps:
1. Park your vehicle on a level surface about 25 feet (7.6 meters) away
from a vertical plain surface (3). Check your headlamp alignment at
night or in a dark area so that you can see the headlamp beam pattern.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
89
Page 90 of 384
•(1) Eight feet
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) Twenty-five feet
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. The center of the headlamp has a
3.0 mm circle on the lens. Measure
the height from the center of your
headlamp to the ground (2) and
mark an 8 foot (2.4 meter) long
horizontal line on the plain surface (1) at this height (masking tape
works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps.
The brightest part of the light
should be below the horizontal line
(4). If it is above the line the
headlamp will need to be adjusted.
4. Open the hood.
5. Locate the vertical adjuster for
each headlamp. Adjust the aim by
turning the adjuster control either
clockwise (to adjust down) or
counterclockwise (to adjust up).
Note:Usea4mmsocket or box
wrench to turn the vertical adjuster
control.
6. Horizontal aiming is not required
for this vehicle and is
non-adjustable.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
90
Page 91 of 384
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome/reading lamps
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened.
•the instrument panel dimmer
switch is rotated up until the
courtesy lamps come on.
•any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is
OFF.
The reading portion, the two outer lights, can only be toggled on and off
at the lamp.
The front map lamps are located in
the overhead console (if equipped).
Press the controls on either side of
each map lamp to activate the
lamps.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
91
Page 92 of 384

Cargo/reading lamps
The dome portion of the lamp or
the center light can be turned on
when the panel dimmer control is
rotated fully up or when a door is
opened.
The rear dome lamp can be turned
ON or OFF by sliding the control.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlamp Condensation
The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters
the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and will clear
within 45 minutes of headlamp operation.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an
“E” for Europe to ensure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. Using incorrect bulbs may damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty or may not provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Number of bulbs Trade number
Headlamp low & high
beam2
H13
Front park/turn lamp 2 3457 NAK (amber)
Side park/turn lamp 2 194
Upper rear tail lamp 2 194
Rear backup lamp 2 921
Lower rear
stop/tail/turn lamp2
4057K
High-mount stop
lamps5
W5WL
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
92
Page 93 of 384
Function Number of bulbs Trade number
Rear license plate
lamps2
168
Front fog lamp 2 9145
Cargo lamp 1 211-2
Interior overhead lamp 1 912 (906)
Front door courtesy
lamp1
168
Map lamps 2 168 (T10)
Ashtray lamp 1 161
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer .
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of the bulbs frequently. To replace any of the
interior bulbs, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
Do not touch the glass of a halogen bulb.
1. Turn off the headlamps and open
the hood.
2. Remove three screws from the
headlamp assembly and pull
headlamp forward.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
93
Page 94 of 384
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
4. Remove the old bulb by turning
counterclockwise and pull it out.
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.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal/sidemarker bulbs
1. Turn off the headlamps and open
the hood.
2. Remove three screws from the
headlamp assembly and pull
headlamp forward.
3. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
94
Page 95 of 384
Replacing tail/brake/turn/backup lamp bulbs
1. Turn the headlamp switch to OFF
and open the liftgate.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
lamp assembly.
3. Remove the lamp assembly.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove it
from the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Replacing fog lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the
fog lamp by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
95
Page 96 of 384
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. Remove the lamp assembly by
depressing the small tab and rocking
the lamp assembly out.
3. Remove the bulb socket from the
lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise and pull the bulb
straight out.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulb
1. Remove the two screws and lamp
assembly away from the vehicle.
2. Remove the bulb holder from the
lamp assembly by depressing the
snaps.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
Reverse steps to reinstall bulb(s).
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
96