Page 10 of 384
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
10
Page 80 of 384

•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down when the vehicle interior is
significantly warmer than the outside temperature, drive with the
windows slightly open for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the
vehicle has been “aired out.”
•During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C position, turn off the rear A/C unit, reduce blower fan
speed from the highest setting and put the vehicle’s transmission into
the P (Park) position to continue to receive cool air from your A/C
system.
For maximum cooling performance in panel (
) mode:
•Select MAX A/C mode. MAX A/C uses recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
To allow windshield defogging and demisting while warming up vehicle:
1. Select
floor/defrost mode.
2. Set temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set fan to highest setting.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
80
Page 83 of 384

17.Temperature conversion:
Press to toggle between Fahrenheit
and Celsius temperature on the
DATC display only. The set point temperatures in Celsius will be
displayed in half-degree increments.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
air flow selector in OFF or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
•During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C position, turn off the rear A/C unit, reduce blower fan
speed from the highest setting and put the vehicle’s transmission into
the P (Park) position to continue to receive cool air from your A/C
system.
For maximum cooling performance:
•Select and A/C and recirculated air. Use recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
F C
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
83
Page 85 of 384

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
The rear defroster control is located
on the instrument panel.
Press the rear defroster control to
clear the rear window of thin ice
and fog.
•A small LED will illuminate when
the rear defroster is activated.
The ignition must be in the 3 (ON) position to operate the rear window
defroster.
The defroster turns off automatically after 10 minutes or when the
ignition is turned to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) or 2 (ACC) position. To manually
turn off the defroster before 10 minutes have passed, push the control
again.
Heated Windshield Control (if equipped)
The heated windshield control is located on the instrument panel just
under the climate controls.
To activate the heated windshield, the engine must be running while the
heated windshield control is pushed. Once activated, a small light on the
button will illuminate.
Note:During initial start-up, the windshield may have a shimmering
appearance. This is normal operation and will only last for approximately
1 minute.
The heated windshield will turn off automatically after:
•a period of up to 8 minutes, when
the outside air temperature is
below 40°F (4°C),
•a period of up to 4 minutes when
the outside air temperature is
40°F (4°C) or above, or
•when the engine is turned off.
R
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
85
Page 87 of 384
HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp Control
(if equipped)
The autolamp control sets the
headlamps to turn on and off
automatically. The autolamp control,
located on the headlamp control,
may be set to:
•turn on the lamps automatically
at night
•turn off the lamps automatically
during the daylight
•keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after the key is turned to
OFF.
To turn the autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise to
.
Fog lamp control
The fog lamps can be turned on
only when the headlamp control is
in the
,orposition and
the high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn fog lamps on. The fog lamp
indicator light below the
icon
will illuminate when fog lamp is
activated.
AP
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
87
Page 88 of 384
Push the headlamp control towards the instrument panel to deactivate
the fog lamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
To activate DRL:
•the ignition must be in the ON position and
•the headlamp control is in the
orposition
•the transmission is not in park.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull the lever toward you to
activate. Release the lever to
deactivate.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
88
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 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