Ford Explorer Quiz
Driving Tips

Economical Driving

In this manual: Driving Tips
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
~2min read

Fuel economy depends on several factors, such as driving habits, operating conditions, and how you maintain your vehicle.

You can improve fuel economy by keeping the following in mind:

  • Accelerate and decelerate smoothly and moderately.
  • Drive at a steady speed.
  • Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
  • Combine errands and minimize frequent short trips.
  • Keep windows closed at high speeds.
  • Drive at a reasonable speed (at 55 mph (88 km/h) you use approximately 15% less fuel than at 65 mph (105 km/h)).
  • Keep tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
  • Use the recommended engine oil.
  • Perform all regular scheduled maintenance.

Avoid these actions; they reduce fuel economy:

  • Sudden acceleration or rapid acceleration.
  • Idling the engine before turning it off.
  • Idling for more than one minute.
  • Warming up the vehicle on cold mornings.
  • Using the air conditioning or front heater.
  • Using cruise control on hilly terrain.
  • Keeping your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
  • Driving a heavily loaded vehicle or towing a trailer.
  • Carrying unnecessary weight reduces fuel economy (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/l] is lost for every 395 lb (180 kg) of cargo carried).
  • Driving with misaligned wheels (wheel alignment out of specification).

Conditions

  • Heavy vehicle loads or towing a trailer can reduce fuel economy. At any speed.
  • Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example, bug deflectors, roll bars, light bars, running boards, ski racks or luggage racks) may reduce fuel economy.
  • For maximum fuel economy, drive with the cargo cover installed (if equipped).
  • Using fuel blended with alcohol may reduce fuel economy.
  • Fuel economy may decrease at lower temperatures during the first 5–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
  • Driving on level terrain provides better fuel economy than driving on hilly terrain.
  • Transmissions provide the best fuel economy when operating in the highest gear possible at cruising speed and with steady throttle application.
  • Four-wheel drive (if equipped) is less fuel-efficient than two-wheel drive operation.
  • Keep windows closed at high speeds.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.