
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.0L SOHC V6 engine 4.6L 3V V8 engine
Air filter element FA-1695 FA-1780
Fuel filter FG-1083 FG-1083
Battery BXT-65-650 BXT-65-650
Oil filter FL-820S FL-820S
PCV valve
1
Spark plugs2
1
The PCV valve is a critical emission component. It is one of the items
listed inscheduled maintenance informationand is essential to the
life and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
For PCV valve replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the PCV valve.
Replace the PCV valve with one that meets Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as a Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement part. The customer warranty may be void
for any damage to the emissions system if such a PCV valve is not
used.
2For spark plug replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not
used.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
369

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine coolant 4.0L
engine without auxiliary
climate control12.2 quarts
(11.5L)
Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
1
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1 Engine coolant 4.0L
engine with auxiliary
climate control13.9 quarts
(13.2L)
Engine coolant 4.6L
engine without auxiliary
climate control13.9 quarts
(13.2L)
Engine coolant 4.6L
engine with auxiliary
climate control15.7 quarts
(14.9L)
Cooling system stop
leak pellets—Motorcraft Cooling
System Stop Leak PelletsVC-6 /
WSS-M99B37-B6
Engine oil 4.0L engine 5.0 quarts (4.7L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-30
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-30
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
2
XO-5W30-QSP (US)
CXO-5W30-LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C929-A with API
Certification Mark
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
371

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

Item CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Windshield washer fluid 4.2 quarts (4.0L)Motorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16- A2
Fuel tank22.5 gallons
(85.2L)——
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.2Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only have the API
Certification mark and meet the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C929-A (4.0L) or
WSS-M2C930-A (4.6L).3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be
checked by a qualified technician.4Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid or fluid that
is specified dual usage MERCON/MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may
cause transmission damage.5Automatic transmissions that require MERCONSP should only use MERCONSP fluid. Use of a
dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCONSP may cause transmission
damage. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
373

ENGINE DATA
Engine 4.0L SOHC V6
engine4.6L 3V V8
engine
Cubic inches 245 281
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Ignition system EDIS Coil on Plug
Spark plug gap 0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42 mm)0.040–0.050 inch
(1.02–1.27 mm)
1
Compression ratio 9.7:1 9.8:11Spark plug gap is not adjustable
Engine drivebelt routing
•4.0L V6 Engine
•4.6L V8 Engine
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
374

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

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