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On a good cold Wisconsin winter day, the air is about 30% more dense (heavier) than on a hot summer day. I don't have a psychrometric chart handy, so can't give exact numbers.
Air drag is proportional to the density, so is 30% higher on that cold day. You don't notice it because the engine has 30% more power. That extra power needs more fuel.
Result is gas mileage drops in colder weather. The MPG of my truck changes almost exactly 1 MPG per 10 degrees F.
Wind also has a large effect. I normally see trip mileage change by as much as 5 MPG depending in wind strength and direction.
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06 Canyon: The vacuum gauge plus wheel covers helped increase summer 2015 mileage to 38.5 MPG, while summer 2016 mileage was 38.6 MPG without the wheel covers. Drove 33,021 miles 2016-2018 at 35.00 MPG.
22 Maverick: Summer 2022 burned 62.74 gallons in 3145.1 miles for 50.1 MPG. Winter 2023-2024 - 2416.7 miles, 58.66 gallons for 41 MPG.
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