Page 137 of 384

2. Press and hold the RESET control
for more than 2 seconds. Oil life is
set to 100% and “OIL CHANGE SET
TO 100%” is displayed.
Note:To change oil life 100% miles
value from 7,500 miles (12,070 km)
or 6 months to another value,
proceed to step 3.
3. Once “OIL LIFE SET TO XXX%”
is displayed, release and press the
RESET control switch to change the
Oil Life Start Value. Each release
and press will reduce the value by
10 percent.
Note:Oil Life Start Value of 100%
equals 7,500 miles (12,070 km) or 6
months. For example, setting Oil Life Start Value to 60% sets the Oil Life
Start Value to 3,000 miles (4,828 km) and 120 days.
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will cycle
the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for 4 seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages are divided into four categories:
•They cannot be cleared until the condition is corrected.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset if the
condition has not been corrected.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
•They reappear if the condition clears then reoccurs within the same
ignition ON-OFF cycle.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
137
Page 138 of 384

Warning display Status
Door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Fuel level low Warning returns after 10 minutes
Park brake engaged
Check brake system
Check park aid (if equipped) Warning returns only after the ignition
key is turned from OFF to ON.
Brake fluid level low
Check headlamp
Check highbeam lamp
Check turn lamp
Washer fluid level low
Oil change required
Engine oil change soon
Liftgate/glass ajar Warning returns after the condition
has cleared then reoccurs within the
same ignition ON-OFF cycle. Clear objects by pass seat
Check charging system
Low tire pressure
Tire monitor fault
Tire sensor fault
For 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)Temporary alert
For 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low stop vehicle (if
equipped)
To exit 4x4 low shift to N (if
equipped)
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
CLEAR OBJECTS BY PASS SEAT.Displayed when objects are by the
passenger seat. After the objects are moved away from the seat, if the
warning stays on or continues to come on contact your authorized
dealer.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
138
Page 139 of 384

electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park 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 park brake is released, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information on how
the system operates under these conditions, refer toUnderstanding
your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP.Displayed when the highbeam lamps are
activated and at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon
as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
139
Page 140 of 384

CHECK TURN LAMP.Displayed when the turn lamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 0%.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON.Displayed when the engine oil life
reaches 5% or less of the Oil Life Start Value.
LIFTGATE/GLASS AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate or the liftgate
glass is not completely closed.
FOR 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped).Displayed when 4X4
LOW is selected while the vehicle is moving. For more information, refer
toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin theDriving
chapter.
FOR 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped).Displayed when 4X4 LOW
is selected and the vehicle is stopped. For more information, refer to
Control trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW STOP VEHICLE (if equipped).Displayed when
2WD is selected while the vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW. For more
information, refer toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin
theDrivingchapter.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW SHIFT TO N (if equipped).Displayed when 2WD
is selected while the vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW. For more
information, refer toControl trac four-wheel drive (4x4) operationin
theDrivingchapter.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
140
Page 141 of 384

RUNNING BOARDS (IF EQUIPPED)
Deployable running boards (DRB) automatically move when the doors
are opened to assist entering and exiting the vehicle.
Automatic power deploy:
•The running boards will extend
down when the doors are opened.
Automatic power stow:
•The running boards will return to
the stowed position after a 2
second delay once doors are
closed.
Manual power deploy:
To manually operate the running boards, refer to theMessage centerin
this chapter.
•This feature can manually set the running boards in the deployed
position for access to the roof or when washing your vehicle.
•When running boards are manually set in the deployed position
(OUT), they will return to the stowed position and enter automatic
mode when the vehicle speed becomes greater than 5 mph (8 kph).
Enable/disable:
To enable/disable the power running board feature, refer to theMessage
centerin this chapter.
•When this feature is disabled (OFF), the running boards will move to
the stowed position regardless of the position of the doors.
•When this feature is enabled (AUTOMATIC), the running boards will
immediately move to the correct position based on the position of the
doors.
Bounce-back:
•If an object is in the way of the moving running board, the running
board will automatically bounce back in the reverse direction and
move to the end of travel.
Note:The running boards may operate more slowly in cooler
temperatures. In adverse conditions, mud, slush, salt, and other road
debris may become trapped in the running board mechanism possibly
causing unwanted noise. If this occurs manually set the running boards
in the deployed position and flush the debris from the front and rear
hinges using a high-pressure car wash wand.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
141
Page 142 of 384

Note:Do not use the running boards, front and rear hinge assemblies,
running board motors, or the running board under body mounts to lift
the vehicle with the jack, refer toChanging tiresin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
In extreme climates, excessive ice buildup may occur, causing
the running boards not to deploy. Be sure that the running
boards have deployed, and have finished moving before attempting to
step on them. Note: The running boards will resume normal function
once the blockage is cleared.
Turn off the running boards before working under the vehicle,
jacking, or placing any object under the vehicle. Never place
your hand in the hinge assemblies. A moving running board may cause
injury
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Do not install additional floor mats on top of the factory installed
floor mats as they may interfere with the accelerator or the
brake pedals.
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
142
Page 143 of 384
CARGO COVER (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo area cover that covers the
luggage compartment of your vehicle.
To install the cover:
Push both ends of the cover into the
depressions (right side first) in the
trim panels behind the second row
seat.
To reduce the risk of
injuries, the cargo area
cover must be properly installed
on the rear trim panels.
Do not place any objects on the cargo area cover. They may
obstruct your vision or strike occupants of the vehicle in the
case of a sudden stop or collision.
Cargo management system
The cargo management system consists of storage compartments located
in the floor of the rear cargo area.
7 passenger stowage:
1. To open, lift up on the handle and
the lid.
2. To close, lower and press the lid
down.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
143
Page 144 of 384

5 passenger stowage:
When the lid is open, it will stand
up on its own.
1. To open, lift the release handle
and the lid.
2. To close, lower the lid, lift the
release handle and press down on
the lid.
REAR LIFTGATE
The liftgate area is only intended for cargo, not passengers. You can open
and close the liftgate from outside the vehicle. It cannot be opened from
inside the cargo area.
•To open the liftgate window,
press the control on the remote
entry transmitter or, with the
liftgate unlocked, push the
control button on theright side
under the license plate lamp
shield.
•To open the liftgate, unlock the
liftgate (with the power door
locks, the remote entry or the
keyless entry pad) and pull the
middlelever under the license plate lamp shield.
To lock the liftgate and the liftgate window, use the power door locks.
The liftgate door and window should be closed before driving. If not,
possible damage may occur to your vehicle.
Always close liftgate window before opening liftgate. Liftgate
glass and liftgate should never be open at the same time. Failure
to observe this warning may result in personal injury or damage to
your vehicle.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
144