
•TheService engine soonindicator may come on. For more
information on theService engine soon
indicator, refer to
Warning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
359

Engine oil ..................................340
checking and adding ..............340
dipstick ....................................340
filter, specifications ........343, 369
recommendations ...................343
refill capacities ........................370
specifications ..........................370
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................259
F
Fail safe cooling ........................352
Family entertainment system ....51
Floor mats .................................142
Fluid capacities .........................370
Foglamps .....................................87
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......280
driving off road .......................281
indicator light .........................280
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................268
Fuel ............................................354
calculating fuel
economy ..................117, 129, 359
cap ...........................................356
capacity ...................................370
choosing the right fuel ...........357
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................362
detergent in fuel .....................358
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................354, 356, 359
filter, specifications ........353, 369
fuel pump shut-off switch .....291
improving fuel economy ........359
octane rating ...................357, 374
quality ......................................358
running out of fuel .................358safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................354
Fuses ..................................292, 294
G
Garage door opener ..................100
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............356
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................359
Gauges .........................................19
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................248
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................248
H
Hazard flashers .........................291
Head restraints .........................163
Headlamps ...................................87
aiming ........................................89
bulb specifications ....................92
daytime running lights .............88
flash to pass ..............................88
high beam .................................88
turning on and off ....................87
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................79, 81
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................112
Hood ..........................................335
How to get going ........................22
I
Ignition ...............................256, 374
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
381

Illuminated visor mirror .............98
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................211
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................364
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................330
cluster ........................................12
J
Jack ....................................301, 304
positioning .......................301, 306
storage .............................301, 304
Jump-starting your vehicle ......311
K
Keyless entry system ...............157
autolock ...........................146, 148
keypad .....................................158
locking and unlocking doors ..159
programming entry code .......158
Keys ...........................................160
positions of the ignition .........256
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................92
daytime running light ...............88
fog lamps ...................................87
headlamps .................................87
interior lamps ...........................91
Liftgate ......................................144
remote release ........................153
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........262
Load limits .................................242Loading instructions .................248
Locks
autolock ...........................146, 148
childproof ................................151
doors ........................................146
Lubricant specifications ...........370
Lug nuts ....................................310
Luggage rack .............................145
Lumbar support, seats .....165, 167
M
Message center .................115, 127
english/metric button .....118, 131
system check button ......118, 131
warning messages ...........123, 137
Mirrors ...............................103–104
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................103
fold away .................................105
heated ......................................105
side view mirrors (power) .....104
Moon roof ..................................111
Motorcraft parts ........332, 353, 369
N
Navigation system .......................78
O
Octane rating ............................357
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................340
P
Parking brake ............................263
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....369
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
382

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