2008 FORD EXPLORER maintenance

Maintenance and Specifications 334
Engine compartment 336
Engine oil 340
Battery 345
Engine coolant 347
Fuel information 354
Air filter(s) 367
Part numbers 369
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 370
Engine data 374
Accessories 377
Index 379
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Table of Contents
3
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with yourOwner’s Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
Please read the sectionAirbag supplemental restraint system
(SRS)in theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter. Failure to
follow the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal
injury.
Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats should
NEVERbe placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
6

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

Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Charging system:Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly.
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Check the oil level
and add oil if needed. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
If the light remains ON while driving, the temperature of the engine may
be too high, refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Engine coolant temperature:Illuminates when the engine coolant
temperature is high. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the
engine and let cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
2008 Explorer(exp)
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USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains ON at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON, have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more information on
this system, refer toUnderstanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systemin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come on. Refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Standard instrument cluster
•Optional instrument cluster
Speed control (if equipped):
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated. Turns off when the
speed control system is deactivated.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
16

GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”). If it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating, refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter. Stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
19

Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
Refer toFilling the tankin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel
door is located.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
21

turn off as many of the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the
warning stays on or comes on when the engine is operating at normal
speeds, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the manual park brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph (5
km/h). If the warning stays on after the park brake is released, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped).Displayed when the transmission is
in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TIRE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure sensor is
malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more information on how
the system operates under these conditions, refer toUnderstanding
your Tire Pressure Monitoring Systemin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK HEADLAMP.Displayed when the headlamps are activated and
at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theLightschapter.
CHECK HIGHBEAM LAMP.Displayed when the highbeam lamps are
activated and at least one bulb is burned out. Check the lamps as soon
as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
2008 Explorer(exp)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
125