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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Get Better Gas Mileage: A Driver's Guide
Highway miles, weekend trips with a loaded roof box, and errands around Michigan City all use fuel differently. This guide covers 10 ways to get better gas mileage, with what FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy and EPA) reports for each, and what Michigan City Ford's service team checks to keep your vehicle efficient.
7%-14%average benefit from slowing 5-10 mph on the highway
10%-25%lost to a roof box at 65-75 mph
0.6%average gain from proper tire pressure, up to 3%
1%-2%gain from the recommended motor oil grade
The short answer
On the highway, slow down 5 to 10 mph and use cruise control; take a roof box off when you are not using it; drive smoothly in town; turn the engine off instead of idling; keep the tires at the doorjamb pressure and use the recommended grade of motor oil; have a check engine light inspected; and combine errands. FuelEconomy.gov says slowing down alone averages a 7% to 14% benefit.
10 ways to get better gas mileage
The driving habits at the top cost nothing to change. Your owner's manual has the exact specifications for your vehicle.
| Tip | What to do | What FuelEconomy.gov says |
|---|---|---|
| Drive sensibly | Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking. | Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. |
| Watch your highway speed | Observe the speed limit; slowing down 5 to 10 mph on the highway adds up. | Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 50 mph. Slowing down 5 to 10 mph averages a 7% to 14% benefit. |
| Use cruise control | Use it on the highway to hold a constant speed. | In most cases it will save gas. |
| Skip the roof box | Remove a roof-top cargo box when you are not using it, or use a rear-mount carrier. | A large, blunt roof box can cut fuel economy about 2% to 8% in the city, 6% to 17% on the highway and 10% to 25% at 65 to 75 mph. Rear-mount boxes or trays cost only 1% to 2% in the city and 1% to 5% on the highway. |
| Lighten the load | Take heavy items you do not need out of the vehicle. | An extra 100 pounds could reduce MPG by about 1%, with a bigger effect on smaller vehicles. |
| Do not idle | Turn the engine off when you are parked. | Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour; restarting takes only about 10 seconds worth of fuel. |
| Keep tires inflated | Set all tires to the pressure on the sticker usually in the driver's door jamb (or the glove box and owner's manual), not the maximum on the sidewall. | Proper pressure improves mileage 0.6% on average, up to 3%. Under-inflation costs about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. |
| Use the right motor oil | Use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. | Worth 1% to 2%. For example, 10W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-30 can lower gas mileage by 1% to 2%. |
| Fix engine problems | When the check engine light comes on, have the vehicle inspected. | The cause could be as minor as a loose gas cap, or a more serious issue that could reduce fuel economy. |
| Combine trips | Plan errands into one route instead of several cold starts. | Several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one longer, multipurpose trip covering the same distance. |
From FuelEconomy.gov, run for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read October 26, 2026. Results vary by vehicle and driving conditions.
Highway miles and road trips
Highway speed and roof cargo can have large effects on mileage, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
Speed
Each vehicle has its own most efficient speed, but gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 50 mph. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
Cruise control
Holding a constant speed on the highway saves gas in most cases.
Roof boxes
A large, blunt roof-top cargo box can cut fuel economy by about 6% to 17% on the highway and 10% to 25% at 65 to 75 mph. A rear-mount box or tray costs 1% to 5% on the highway.
Extra weight
An extra 100 pounds could reduce MPG by about 1%; the effect is bigger on smaller vehicles.
Plan the route
Several short cold-start trips can use twice as much fuel as one longer, multipurpose trip covering the same distance. Staggering your hours to avoid peak rush hours and carpooling help too.
From FuelEconomy.gov, "Driving More Efficiently" and "Planning and Combining Trips," read October 26, 2026.
Maintenance that matters for mileage
Tire pressure: Michigan City Ford's maintenance guide says to check all tires, including the spare, at least once a month when the tires are cold, using the pressure on the placard typically on the driver's side doorjamb. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the sidewall, FuelEconomy.gov adds.
Motor oil: use the manufacturer's recommended grade and look for "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol. Check engine light: have it inspected; the problem could reduce fuel economy, increase emissions or lead to costly repairs later.
Air filters: on fuel-injected, computer-controlled engines (early 1980s to today), replacing a clogged air filter does not improve fuel economy, though it can improve acceleration. In cold weather, skip the long warm-up: most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds.
Tire pressure steps from Michigan City Ford's general maintenance advice page; the rest from FuelEconomy.gov, "Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape" and "Fuel Economy in Cold Weather." All read October 26, 2026.
Driving a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV?
Many of the tips above apply to electrified vehicles too. FuelEconomy.gov adds a few of its own:
Read the owner's manual
These vehicles manage energy in different ways, so a tip that applies to one model may not apply to another.
Use the economy mode
Many have an "economy mode" or similar feature that may limit performance, such as acceleration, to save fuel.
Brake gently
Gentle or moderate braking lets regenerative braking recover energy as electricity; hard braking uses the friction brakes, which do not.
Keep it charged
For plug-in hybrids, a charged battery means using as much electricity and as little gasoline as possible. For EVs, it helps maximize driving range.
Pre-heat while plugged in
Heating, air conditioning and other accessories can have a bigger effect on hybrids and EVs. Pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin while plugged in can extend electric range.
From FuelEconomy.gov, "Tips for Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids, and Electric Vehicles," read October 26, 2026.
Mileage-minded service at Michigan City Ford
At Michigan City Ford, The Works® is more than an oil change: it includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. See our Ford oil change and Ford tire service pages for more.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, October 26, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Gas mileage FAQ
How can I get better gas mileage on the highway?
Slow down a little and use cruise control. FuelEconomy.gov says gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 50 mph, and drivers who slow down 5 to 10 mph see an average 7% to 14% benefit. Cruise control helps you hold a constant speed and, in most cases, saves gas.
Does a roof cargo box hurt gas mileage?
Yes, especially at Interstate speeds. FuelEconomy.gov says a large, blunt roof-top cargo box can reduce fuel economy by about 10% to 25% at 65 to 75 mph. A rear-mount box or tray costs much less, about 1% to 5% on the highway, and removing a carrier when you are not using it saves fuel.
Is it better to idle or turn the engine off?
Turn it off when you are parked. FuelEconomy.gov says idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, and restarting takes only about 10 seconds worth of fuel. As long as you do not exceed about 10 starts a day, any shutdown longer than 1 minute saves money.
How often should I check my tire pressure?
Michigan City Ford's maintenance guide says to check all tires, including the spare, at least once a month when the tires are cold (not driven for at least three hours), using the pressure on the driver's side doorjamb placard. FuelEconomy.gov says proper pressure improves gas mileage 0.6% on average and up to 3%.
How do I get the most from a hybrid or plug-in hybrid?
FuelEconomy.gov suggests using the economy mode, braking gently so regenerative braking can recover energy, keeping a plug-in hybrid's battery charged so it uses as little gasoline as possible, and pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin while plugged in. Check your owner's manual, since tips vary by model.
What does The Works include at Michigan City Ford?
A synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Keep your vehicle running efficiently
Book The Works, a tire pressure check, or a check engine light inspection at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Gas mileage tips and percentages are from FuelEconomy.gov, administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read October 26, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Your owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle. Photo is illustrative.
- Driving More Efficiently (aggressive driving, speed, cargo, weight, idling, cruise control), FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape (check engine light, tire pressure, motor oil grade, air filters), FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- Planning and Combining Trips, FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- Fuel Economy in Cold Weather, FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- Tips for Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids, and Electric Vehicles, FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), read October 26, 2026
- General service: The Works, tire pressure, Michigan City Ford, October 26, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, October 26, 2026