2008 FORD EXPLORER steering

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.0L SOHC V6 engine
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick (out of view)
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Power distribution box
5. Battery
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Washer fluid reservoir
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
336

4.6L V8 engine
1. Air filter assembly
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Power distribution box
6. Battery
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Radiator cap
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
337

•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (4.6L V8 engine only)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Fail-safe cooling and engine oil overheat mode (4.6L V8 only)
If the engine coolant and/or engine oil overheat, the vehicle’s fail-safe
modes will reduce engine power to limit engine damage, even with a
total loss of coolant. The vehicle’s range and/or speed will be reduced,
depending on vehicle load, terrain, and outside temperatures.
The instrument cluster provides warnings for each mode.
•Fail-Safe Cooling Mode:The
(Service engine
soon),
(Engine oil pressure), and(Engine coolant
temperature) indicators will be on.
Along with these warning indicators, the engine coolant temperature
gauge will read in the Hot (H) area.
If the engine coolant reaches even hotter temperatures, fail-safe
cooling mode limits engine power more and disables air conditioning.
The engine will switch to alternating cylinder operation to help cool
the engine. The engine will run rough in this mode.
If continued operation increases the engine coolant temperature to a
critical range, the engine will shut down. Steering and braking effort
will increase. Once engine coolant temperature cools, the engine can
be restarted.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
352

POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer toscheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
5. The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance product specifications
and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper fluid type.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer immediately.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
365

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine oil 4.6L engine 6.0 quarts (5.7L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
2
XO-5W20-QSP (US)
CXO-5W20-LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A with API
Certification Mark
Automatic transmission
(5R55S) fluid12.4 quarts
(11.7L)
3
Motorcraft MERCONV
AT F
4
XT-5-QM /
MERCONV
Automatic transmission
(6R60) fluid12.2 quarts
(11.6L)
3
Motorcraft MERCONSP
AT F
5
XT-6-QSP /
MERCONSP
Rear axle fluid 3.5 pints (1.7L)Motorcraft SAE 75W-140
Synthetic Rear Axle
LubricantX Y-75W140-QL /
WSL-M2C192-A
Front axle fluid (4WD) 2.7 pints (1.3L)Motorcraft SAE 80W-90
Premium Rear Axle
LubricantXY-80W90-QL /
WSP-M2C197-A
Power steering fluidFill between the
MIN and MAX
lines on reservoirMotorcraft MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
Transfer case fluid
(4WD)1.5 quarts (1.4L)Motorcraft Transfer Case
FluidXL–12 /
—
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
372

plastic parts ............................329
washing ....................................326
waxing .....................................327
wheels ......................................327
wiper blades ............................329
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............81
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................36
AM/FM/CD .................................28
Compass, electronic ..................121
calibration ...............................122
set zone adjustment .......122, 135
Console ..............................100–101
overhead ....................................99
rear ..........................................101
Controls
power seat ...............................165
steering column ......................108
Coolant
checking and adding ..............347
refill capacities ................351, 370
specifications ..........................370
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................106
Customer Assistance ................289
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................322
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............323
Getting roadside assistance ...289
Getting the service you
need .........................................318
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................324
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................322D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................88
Defrost
rear window ..............................85
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................366
engine oil .................................340
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................367
Driving under special
conditions ..................277, 283, 286
sand .........................................284
snow and ice ...........................287
through water .................285, 288
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) ...........................81
DVD system .................................51
E
Electronic message
center .................................115, 127
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................311
Emergency Flashers .................291
Emission control system ..........362
Engine ........................................374
cleaning ...................................328
coolant .....................................347
fail-safe cooling .......................352
idle speed control ...................345
lubrication specifications .......370
refill capacities ........................370
service points ..................336–337
starting after a collision .........291
Engine block heater .................260
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
380

Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................178
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................105
Power adjustable foot pedals ...105
Power deployable running
boards ........................................141
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................297
Power door locks ......................146
Power mirrors ...........................104
Power point ...............................101
Power steering ..........................268
fluid, checking and adding ....365
fluid, refill capacity ................370
fluid, specifications .................370
Power Windows .........................102
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................268
R
Radio ................................22, 26, 34
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Rear window defroster ...............85
Relays ........................................292
Remote entry system .......151–152
illuminated entry ....................157
locking/unlocking doors..152–153
panic alarm .............................153
replacing the batteries ...........154
Reverse sensing system ...........277
Roadside assistance ..................289
Roof rack ...................................145
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........192Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ............177,
180–185
Safety Canopy ...........201, 203–204
Safety defects, reporting ..324–325
Safety restraints ........177, 180–185
Belt-Minder...........................187
extension assembly ................186
for adults .........................181–184
for children .....................206–207
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................178
safety belt maintenance .........192
warning light and chime ........187
Safety seats for children ..........211
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................375
Satellite Radio Information ........47
Seats ..........................................163
child safety seats ....................211
front seats ...............................164
heated ......................................168
memory seat ...................154, 167
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................159
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................28
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................36
Snowplowing .................................8
Spark plugs, specifications ......369,
374
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................370
Speed control ............................106
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
383

Starting your
vehicle ........................256–257, 259
jump starting ..........................311
Steering wheel
controls ....................................108
tilting .........................................98
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................98
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Driving .....................................284
Roadside Emergencies ...........301
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....237
Warning Displays ......12, 123, 137
Tires ...........................222–224, 301
alignment ................................231
care ..........................................227
changing ..........................301, 306
checking the pressure ............227
inflating ...................................225
label .........................................236
replacing ..........................228, 306
rotating ....................................231
safety practices .......................230
sidewall information ...............232
snow tires and chains ............242
spare tire .................301, 304–305
terminology .............................224
tire grades ...............................223
treadwear ........................223, 227
Towing .......................................249
recreational towing .................254
trailer towing ..........................249
wrecker ....................................316
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................366Transmission .............................269
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....269
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................366
fluid, refill capacities ..............370
lubricant specifications ..........370
Turn signal ..................................91
U
USB port ......................................44
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................375
Vehicle loading ..........................242
Ventilating your vehicle ...........259
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................338
Water, Driving through .............288
Windows ....................................153
power .......................................102
rear wiper/washer .....................98
Windshield
defrosting ..................................85
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................97
checking and adding fluid .....338
liftgate reservoir .....................338
replacing wiper blades ...........339
Wrecker towing .........................316
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
384