Make sure your oil is the proper grade for winter. As temperatures drop it causes the oil in your car to become thicker. If it gets too thick it will not be able to properly lubricate your engine. Not only will an engine that isn't properly lubricated use more gas but it can also sustain considerable damage. It could even cause damage to the point where the engine would need to be replaced.

Check your owners manual or ask your car dealer to ensure you are using the proper grade of oil for winter. Cold temperatures require an oil that is thinner than the oil used during the summer. As many cars now use multi grade oil, which is an oil that changes it's viscosity or thickness at different temperatures, it might be sufficient for winter driving. Again, check with an expert to determine the proper grade of oil.

A second problem that cold weather brings is a change in your tire pressure. In cold weather the tire pressure drops. If your tires were at the proper pressure at 70 degrees, those same tires will be 5 to 10 pounds too low at 20 degrees and will be 7 to 14 pounds too low at zero degrees.

The most common gas robbing condition drivers face is low tire pressure. It is estimated that at least 25 per cent of all cars on the road have at least one tire that is too low. At 5 to 10 pounds under inflated you will be decreasing your miles per gallon by 2 to 4 percent.

Your tires will experience a one to two pound reduction in tire pressure for every 10-degree drop in air temperature. If you tested your tire pressure in November, chances are they'll be too low in February.

To prevent and correct the problem of low tire pressure you need to monitor your tire pressure on a regular basis. Measure the tire pressure every month at a minimum. Also measure them when there is an extreme change in temperatures.

These are just a few of the fuel robbing conditions that winter brings. You can prevent the decrease in gas mileage and in fact increase fuel economy by knowing about these conditions and taking the necessary steps to avoid them.