Tires are the easiest place to start. According to fueleconomy.gov, keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure improves gas mileage 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases, while under-inflated tires lower mileage 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Inflate to the pressure on the door-jamb label, not the maximum printed on the sidewall.

Pressure affects more than mileage. Ford's owner's manuals warn that under-inflation also reduces tire tread life and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability. Cold air lowers tire pressure as well, and fueleconomy.gov counts that among the reasons winter mileage slips. Ford's recommended multi-point inspection includes the tires.

• Proper pressure improves mileage 0.6% on average, says fueleconomy.gov
• 0.2% lower mileage for each 1 psi drop in average pressure
• Under-inflation shortens tread life and can affect stopping, per Ford
• Ford Tire Finder

Alignment matters too. According to fueleconomy.gov, improperly aligned or inflated tires can lower fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance, but the site gives no percentage for alignment, and neither does Ford. Auffenberg Ford North's service team performs wheel alignments, so ask your service advisor whether an alignment check makes sense for your Ford.

Brakes can cost fuel too, since fueleconomy.gov notes that brake drag can make your engine work harder. Ford's maintenance schedules include a brake inspection at every oil change interval, and the Auffenberg Ford North brake inspection covers pad and shoe thickness, calipers, brake lines and cylinders, hardware and the rotors, which are checked for hot spots and run-out.

• Misaligned tires increase rolling resistance, per fueleconomy.gov
• Dragging brakes make the engine work harder
• Ford schedules a brake inspection at every oil change interval
• Brake Service Advice

Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage 1% to 2%, according to fueleconomy.gov, while running 10W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-30 can lower it 1% to 2%. Ford's manuals add that oil not meeting the specified viscosity grade and specification can reduce fuel economy and cause component damage the warranty does not cover.

Neither fueleconomy.gov nor Ford publishes a mileage figure for worn spark plugs or a failing oxygen sensor, so keep to Ford's intervals and have warning lights checked promptly. One common belief does not hold up: fueleconomy.gov says replacing a clogged air filter does not improve fuel economy on modern fuel-injected gasoline or diesel engines, though it can improve acceleration.

• Recommended oil grade can add 1% to 2% to gas mileage
• Ford F-150 normal-service spark plug interval: 100,000 miles
• Oil change message on? Ford allows two weeks or 500 miles
• All About Oil Changes

Driving habits show up at the pump as well. Per fueleconomy.gov, aggressive driving can lower gas mileage 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic, and that mileage usually decreases rapidly above 50 mph. An extra 100 pounds could reduce mileage 1%, with smaller vehicles affected more than larger ones, and a large roof-top cargo box can cut highway mileage 6% to 17%.

Winter adds its own penalty: fueleconomy.gov says a conventional gasoline car gets 15% lower city mileage at 20 degrees F than at 77 degrees F, and as much as 24% lower on trips of 3 to 4 miles, because of cold fluids, longer warm-ups, heater and defroster use and lower tire pressure. At the nearby Belleville weather station, the NOAA normal low for January is 24.3 degrees F.

• Idling burns a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour
• Towing, heavy loads and four-wheel drive all reduce fuel economy
• Remove roof racks and cargo carriers when not in use
• General Maintenance Advice

A sudden drop in mileage, or a gradual slide that weather and driving do not explain, is a good reason to book service. A check engine light is another: fueleconomy.gov advises having it inspected promptly, since the cause could be as minor as a loose gas cap or a more serious issue that reduces fuel economy and increases emissions.

Ford also classifies short trips under 5 to 10 miles, temperatures well below or above average, dusty conditions, extended idling and towing or heavy loads as severe driving conditions, and some Ford schedules call for extra maintenance under those conditions. Owners who want maintenance prepaid can ask about the Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan, which has no deductible.

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