Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. *Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.
Car buying guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Read a New Car Window Sticker
A new car window sticker carries two kinds of information: the facts federal law requires the manufacturer to list, and the EPA Fuel Economy and Environment Label. Here is what each part means, using the federal law and fueleconomy.gov.
1958year the federal window sticker law was enacted (Pub. L. 85-506)
55 / 45city / highway weighting behind combined MPG
15,000miles a year assumed for the label's fuel cost estimates
1 to 10scale for the label's fuel economy, greenhouse gas and smog ratings, 10 best
The short answer
A new car window sticker is required by the Automobile Information Disclosure Act (15 U.S.C. 1232). The manufacturer must affix it to the windshield or a side window and list the vehicle's identity, where it was assembled and delivered, the suggested retail price with options and transportation, and NHTSA safety ratings if assigned. The EPA Fuel Economy and Environment Label shows MPG, fuel costs and emissions ratings.
What the law requires on the sticker
15 U.S.C. 1232 says the label must disclose clearly, distinctly and legibly true and correct entries for:
| Entry | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Vehicle identity | Make, model, and serial or identification number |
| Where it was built | The final assembly point |
| Where it is going | The name and location of the dealer it is delivered to, and the city or town of delivery |
| How it got there | The method of transportation, if driven or towed from the final assembly point to the place of delivery |
| Price details | The manufacturer's suggested retail price, the suggested price of each accessory or item of optional equipment attached to the vehicle when it is delivered to the dealer and not included in that price, the transportation charge to the dealer, if any, and the total of those amounts |
| Safety ratings | NHTSA New Car Assessment Program star ratings, if assigned, shown as a graphic of the number of stars; or a statement that the vehicle has not been tested or rated in a category |
From 15 U.S.C. 1232 (Automobile Information Disclosure Act, Pub. L. 85-506, as amended), on the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026. The NHTSA ratings area must cover at least 8 percent of the label, or at least 4.5 by 3.5 inches.
Who puts it on, and who can take it off
The manufacturer affixes it. The law says every manufacturer of new automobiles must securely affix the label to the windshield or a side window before delivering the vehicle to a dealer, or at or before the introduction date of new models.
It stays on until the buyer takes delivery. 15 U.S.C. 1233 sets fines, and possible imprisonment, for anyone who willfully removes, alters or makes illegible the label before the new automobile is delivered to the actual custody and possession of the ultimate purchaser. The exception is a manufacturer relabeling a vehicle it reroutes, repurchases or reacquires.
What counts as an automobile. In this chapter of the law, the term automobile includes any passenger car or station wagon, and a new automobile is one whose title has never been transferred to an ultimate purchaser.
From 15 U.S.C. 1231, 1232 and 1233 on the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026.
The EPA Fuel Economy and Environment Label
Fueleconomy.gov walks through the gasoline vehicle label in twelve parts:
| Label part | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| 1. Vehicle technology and fuel | Top right: text and an icon for the fuel type (gasoline, diesel, flexible-fuel, plug-in hybrid, electric and others) |
| 2. Fuel economy | City, highway and combined MPG; combined is the most prominent |
| 3. Comparison to other vehicles | The vehicle's category and the best and worst fuel economy in that category for the model year |
| 4. You save or spend more over 5 years | Estimated fuel cost over five years compared with the average new vehicle |
| 5. Fuel consumption rate | Gallons per 100 miles, alongside MPG |
| 6. Estimated annual fuel cost | Based on 15,000 miles a year and a projected fuel price |
| 7. Fuel economy and greenhouse gas rating | A 1 (worst) to 10 (best) rating |
| 8. CO2 emissions | Tailpipe CO2 in grams per mile, and the lowest among available vehicles |
| 9. Smog rating | A 1 (worst) to 10 (best) rating for smog-forming tailpipe pollutants |
| 10. Details in fine print | A reminder that results can vary, and the assumptions behind the cost estimates |
| 11. QR code | Scan it with a smartphone for tools and more information about the vehicle |
| 12. fueleconomy.gov | Where you can compare vehicles and enter your own gas prices and driving habits for cost and energy-use estimates |
From fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, read November 8, 2026. Fueleconomy.gov says some form of MPG has been on vehicle labels since 1977.
Reading the MPG numbers
Combined MPG is a weighted average of the city and highway values: city counts 55% and highway 45%. Fueleconomy.gov calls it the most prominent value, for quick comparison across vehicles.
Category comparison. The label names the vehicle's category, such as small SUV, station wagon or pickup truck, and the best and worst fuel economy in that category for the model year. Fueleconomy.gov says there are nine car categories, six truck categories and a special purpose vehicle category, used only for labeling and consumer information.
Gallons per 100 miles. Fueleconomy.gov explains the "MPG illusion": over 1,000 miles, going from 10 to 15 MPG saves about 33 gallons, while going from 30 to 35 MPG saves only about 5 gallons. That is why the label shows fuel consumption as well as MPG.
Fuel cost figures. The annual fuel cost and the five-year save or spend estimate assume 15,000 miles of driving a year and a projected fuel price. The fine print reminds you that your results can vary with how you drive and maintain the vehicle, accessory and air conditioning use, weather, road conditions and load.
From fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, read November 8, 2026.
Fuel economy, greenhouse gas and smog ratings
The label rates each vehicle from 1 (worst) to 10 (best). Gasoline vehicles show one combined fuel economy and greenhouse gas rating, because their carbon dioxide emissions are directly related to the fuel they burn. These are the model year 2025 thresholds, the latest year shown on fueleconomy.gov's label page:
| Rating | MPG | CO2 (grams per mile) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 121 or more | 0-74 |
| 9 | 66-120 | 75-136 |
| 8 | 45-65 | 137-200 |
| 7 | 34-44 | 201-265 |
| 6 | 28-33 | 266-323 |
| 5 | 22-27 | 324-413 |
| 4 | 18-21 | 414-508 |
| 3 | 16-17 | 509-573 |
| 2 | 14-15 | 574-658 |
| 1 | 13 or less | 659 or more |
From fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, read November 8, 2026. The greenhouse gas rating reflects tailpipe CO2 only, not emissions from producing the fuel. The separate smog rating, also 1 to 10, is based on U.S. vehicle emissions standards, with thresholds for nitrogen oxide, non-methane organic gas, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and formaldehyde.
Labels by fuel type
The top right corner of the label names the vehicle technology and fuel. Fueleconomy.gov lists label versions for gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell, flexible-fuel (gasoline-ethanol E85), plug-in hybrid (electricity-gasoline) and electric vehicles.
Hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles without plug-in capability get the gasoline label, because they only use gasoline. Vehicles that do not use liquid fuels, such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids running on electricity, show MPGe, miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent.
From fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, read November 8, 2026.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford 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. Fueleconomy.gov lists how you maintain your vehicle among the factors that can change your fuel economy.
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, November 8, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Window sticker FAQ
What information is on a new car window sticker?
Federal law requires the manufacturer to list the make, model and identification number, the final assembly point, the delivering dealer and city, the method of transportation, the manufacturer's suggested retail price with options and any transportation charge, and NHTSA safety ratings if they have been assigned. The EPA Fuel Economy and Environment Label adds MPG, fuel cost and emissions ratings.
Who puts the window sticker on a new car?
The manufacturer. Under 15 U.S.C. 1232, every manufacturer of new automobiles must securely affix the label to the windshield or a side window before the vehicle is delivered to the dealer, or at or before the introduction date of new models.
Can a window sticker be removed before the buyer takes delivery?
Not legally. 15 U.S.C. 1233 sets penalties for anyone who willfully removes, alters or makes illegible the label before the new automobile is delivered to the actual custody and possession of the ultimate purchaser, except when the manufacturer relabels a vehicle it reroutes, repurchases or reacquires.
What does combined MPG mean on the sticker?
Fueleconomy.gov says combined fuel economy is a weighted average of the city and highway values, weighting city by 55% and highway by 45%. It is the most prominent figure for quick comparison.
How is the annual fuel cost on the label figured?
Fueleconomy.gov says it is based on two assumptions: 15,000 miles of driving a year and a projected fuel price. The five-year save or spend figure uses the same 15,000 miles a year over five years.
Why do hybrids show a gasoline label?
Fueleconomy.gov says hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles without plug-in capability are identified as gasoline vehicles, because they only use gasoline. Plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles have their own label versions, which show MPGe for electric operation.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford 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.
Questions about a new Ford?
Talk with the Michigan City Ford team, or read our guide to getting better gas mileage.
Sources
The required sticker entries, who must affix the label, the removal rule and the definitions are from 15 U.S.C. 1231 to 1233 as published by the Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026. The fuel economy label parts, the combined MPG weighting, cost assumptions, the MPG illusion and the rating thresholds are from fueleconomy.gov, administered for the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, read the same day. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website.
- 15 U.S.C. 1232, Label and entry requirements (Automobile Information Disclosure Act), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026
- 15 U.S.C. 1233, Violations and penalties, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026
- 15 U.S.C. 1231, Definitions, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, read November 8, 2026
- fueleconomy.gov, Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label, fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA), read November 8, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 8, 2026