2008 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC Owners Manual

POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Do not install additional floor mats on top of the factory installed
floor mats as they may interfere with the accelerator or the
brake pedals.
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
TAILGATE LOCK
The tailgate lock is designed to help
prevent theft of the tailgate.
•Insert ignition key and turn to the
right to lock.
•Turn ignition key to the left to
unlock.
Tailgate removal
Vehicles equipped with a cap, keep passengers and pets out of
the pickup box area when vehicle is running to prevent exhaust
fumes from being drawn into the vehicle. Exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide which can injure your lungs and cause drowsiness
and even death.
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Your tailgate is removable to allow
more room for loading.
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Use a screwdriver to pry the
spring clip (on each connector) past
the head of the support screw.
Disconnect cable.
3. Disconnect the other cable.
4. Lift tailgate to a 45–degree angle
from horizontal.
5. Lift right side off of its hinge.
6. Lift tailgate to a 80–degree angle from horizontal.
7. Remove tailgate from left side hinge by sliding tailgate to the right.
To install, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
Exterior tiedown hooks
Exterior tiedown hooks mounted on
the side of the pickup box:
•can be used to secure loads
within the pickup box.
•can be used to secure half the
tonneau cover in an open
position.
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CARGO CAGE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo cage designed to extend the
pickup box for larger loads.
To extend the cargo cage:
1. Lower tailgate.
2. Pull the lever on each side of the
cargo cage to release it from the
pickup box.
3. Lift the cargo cage over onto the
tailgate.
4. Evenly push down on the cargo
cage and push the lever in on each
side locking it in place.
To stow the cargo cage, follow steps
one through four in reverse order.
The cargo cage may be used to
secure a load of up to 100 lb.
(46 kg) on the tailgate.
The cargo cage should always be
kept in the stowed position with
the tailgate closed when not in use.
Activating Cargo Cage Theft
Deterrent Device:
The following procedure can be
done with the cargo cage in the
stowed or extended position.
1. Locate the Phillips head screw in
the middle of the vertical brace on
the locking clip.
2. Turn the screw counterclockwise
until you hear an audible click.
3. To deactivate, turn the screw clockwise until the locking clip moves
freely.
2008 07+ Explorer Sport Trac(esp)
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To remove the cargo cage:
1. Extend the cargo cage.
2. Pull the lever on each side of the
cage to unlock it.
Make sure the locking clip screws
are loose before removing the cargo
cage.
3. Press the locking clips below the
middle bar and lift the cargo cage
out of the channels on the “D” pillar.
To install the cargo cage, follow the removal procedure in reverse order.
TONNEAU COVER (IF EQUIPPED)
The tonneau cover has been designed to maximize fuel economy and
should be fully installed whenever possible.
The rear panel can be folded in half and secured behind the cab, or the
whole cover can be removed completely from the vehicle.
To avoid damage to the cover, do not operate the vehicle unless
the cover is fully installed and securely latched, or securely
stowed.
To avoid damage to the cover, do not stand, sit or load anything
on top of the cover.
The tonneau cover has been designed to be a water resistant system. A
small amount of water may drain into the pickup box with the cover
installed.
To open the front panel:
•Open the driver side lock cover
and unlock the front panel using
your ignition key.
•Lift the panel to access items in
the pickup box near the cab.
•To close, lower the panel down
on the pickup box.
Do not drive with front panel
unlocked or folded on top of the
rear panel.
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To open the rear panel:
•Open the lock cover and unlock
the rear panel using your ignition
key.
•Lift the rear panel to access items
in the pickup box.
•To close, lower the rear panel on
the pickup box.
To stow the rear panel:
•Before driving with the rear panel
open, unlock the rear panel.
•Lift the rear panel up, lay it on
top of the front panel and secure
it with the two straps to the
exterior tiedowns on the pickup
box.
Failure to secure the rear panel
could damage the tonneau cover
or vehicle.
To remove the tonneau cover:
The tonneau cover weighs 70 lb.
(29 kg) and needs to be supported
during removal since the panels will
automatically lock when set down
on the pickup box. This is a two
person operation.
•Unlock and support the front and
rear panels.
•Fold the rear panel on top of the
front panel.
•Pull the release levers on the underside of the tonneau cover from the
pickup box and remove the cover.
For installation of the tonneau cover, reverse the removal procedure.
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Interior tonneau cover release
Your vehicle is equipped with a mechanical interior tonneau cover
release handle that provides a means of escape for children and adults in
the event they become locked inside the pickup box.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and
location of the release handle.
To open the tonneau cover from the
inside, pull the “T” shaped handle
and push up on the tonneau cover
panel. The handle is composed of a
material that will glow for hours in
darkness following brief exposure to
ambient light.
The “T” shaped handle is located on
the tonneau cover panel.
Keep vehicle doors and tonneau cover locked and keep keys and
remote transmitters out of a child’s reach. Unsupervised children
could lock themselves in the box and risk injury. Children should be
taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the pickup box can rise very
quickly. Exposure of people or animals to these high
temperatures for even a short time can cause death or serious
heat-related injuries, including brain damage. Small children are
particularly at risk.
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CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo management system
Vehicles equipped with a cap, keep passengers and pets out of
the pickup box area when vehicle is running to prevent exhaust
fumes from being drawn into the vehicle. Exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide which can injure your lungs and cause drowsiness
and even death.
The cargo management system consists of a storage compartment
located in the floor of the pickup box.
The storage compartment has been
designed to be a water resistant
system. A small amount of water
may drain into the storage
compartment with the lid closed.
1. To open, turn latch
counterclockwise to unlock and lift
the lid.
2. To close, lower the lid and turn
latch clockwise to lock.
Pickup box storage compartment
The storage compartments are located inside the pickup box behind the
wheel wells.
2008 07+ Explorer Sport Trac(esp)
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The storage compartments have
been designed to be a water
resistant system. A small amount of
water may drain into the storage
compartments with the lid closed.
1. Turn latch counterclockwise to
unlock and open the storage
compartment.
2. To close, lower the lid and turn
latch clockwise to lock.
Interior tiedown hooks
Mounted inside the pickup box,
each tiedown hook can secure loads
up to 200 lb. (90 kg). Total pickup
box cargo weight is not to exceed
overall vehicle payload, refer to
Vehicle loadingin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
LUGGAGE RACK
Your vehicle is equipped with a roof rack. The maximum recommended
load is 100 lb. (44 kg), evenly distributed. If it is not possible to
distribute the load, position it as far rearward as possible. Use the tie
down loops on the thumbwheels (if equipped) to secure the load.
To adjust cross-bar position (if
equipped):
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar (both
cross-bars are adjustable).
2. Slide the cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
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