Note:Some warning lights will display in the message center as words
and function the same as the warning light.
Note:Depending on which options your vehicle has, some indicators
may not be present in your vehicle.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, theService engine soon
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds theService
engine soonlight blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
If the light remains ON while driving, the temperature of the engine may
be too high, refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Powertrain malfunction indicator:Illuminates when a powertrain or a
4x4 fault has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
•Standard instrument cluster
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel when exterior
lights are on.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from left
to right to brighten the
instrument panel.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from right
to left to dim the instrument
panel.
•Rotate fully to the right (past detent) to turn on interior lamps.
•Rotate to the left position (past detent) to turn off the interior lamps
and will also disable the illuminated entry feature.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer switch requires re-calibration. Rotate the dimmer
switch from the full dim position to the full Dome/ON position to reset.
This will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting
conditions.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed before leaving the
assembly plant. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if you have
problems fixing the alignment of your headlamps, have them checked by
a qualified service technician.
Headlamp aim adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle can only be vertically adjusted. Your
vehicle does not require horizontal aim adjustments.
To adjust the headlamps:
1. Park your vehicle on a level surface about 25 feet (7.6 meters) away
from a vertical plain surface (3). Check your headlamp alignment at
night or in a dark area so that you can see the headlamp beam pattern.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
89
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome/reading lamps
The dome lamp lights when:
•any door is opened.
•the instrument panel dimmer
switch is rotated up until the
courtesy lamps come on.
•any of the remote entry controls
are pressed and the ignition is
OFF.
The reading portion, the two outer lights, can only be toggled on and off
at the lamp.
The front map lamps are located in
the overhead console (if equipped).
Press the controls on either side of
each map lamp to activate the
lamps.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
91
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
change from the normal (high reflective) state to the non-glare
(darkened) state when bright lights (glare) reach the mirror. When the
mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle, it will automatically
adjust (darken) to minimize glare.
Without voice activated
Navigation System or SYNC
With voice activated Navigation
System or SYNC
The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior rear
view mirror since this may impair proper mirror performance.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Power side view mirrors
The ignition must be in the ACC or ON position to adjust the power side
view mirrors.
To adjust your mirrors:
1. Rotate the control clockwise to
adjust the right mirror and rotate
the control counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to
lock mirrors in place.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
104
Illuminated entry
The interior lamps illuminate when the remote entry system is used to
unlock the door(s) or sound the personal alarm.
The illuminated entry system will turn off the interior lights if:
•the ignition is turned to the 2 (ACC) or 3 (ON) position, or
•the remote transmitter lock control is pressed, or
•after 25 seconds of illumination.
The dome lamp control (if equipped) mustnotbe set to theoffposition
for the illuminated entry system to operate.
The inside lights will not turn off if:
•they have been turned on with the dimmer control, or
•any door is open.
The battery saver will shut off the interior lamps 10 minutes after the
ignition has been turned to the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position.
KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
You can use the keyless entry
keypad to:
•lock or unlock the doors without
using a key.
•open the liftgate window.
•activate or deactivate the
autolock feature.
The keypad can be operated with
the factory set 5–digit entry code;
this code is located on the owner’s
wallet card in the glove box, is
marked on the computer module,
and is available from your
authorized dealer. You can also
create your own 5–digit personal
entry code. In the event the wallet card is lost, the factory set code
cannot be reprogrammed.
When pressing the controls on the keypad, press the middle of the
controls to ensure a good activation.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
157
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