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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Drivers have been trained for decades to put products like isopropyl in their cars to prevent fuel line freeze-up in the winter.  These products absorb moisture and water that can get into a gas tank causing it to freeze.

But now that longstanding belief appears to be a thing of the past.

"Back then, you know, with the metal gas tanks and everything, I think it happened quite a bit more,” said Edwards Automotive General Manager Jeff Edwards.  “Now like the last week when we had the cold weather, we didn't have any that we pulled in for frozen up lines like that."

Edwards says fuel line freeze-up has decreased significantly over the last 20 years thanks to better engineered cars and higher quality gasoline going in them.

Some drivers have never used products to prevent fuel line freeze-up and haven't faced any problems.

"I really don't do anything,” said driver Frank Schinderle.  “I just try to keep my gas tank over half full for the winter and that seems to help."

Isopropyl suggests using one bottle every 10 gallons of fuel.  But Edwards said today's cars have plastic gas tanks making that much isopropyl excessive and unnecessary.

"It's definitely not something you need to do every fuel tank,” he said.  “It's definitely, I feel, something where they're trying to sell the product.  It definitely helps maybe to do it once, maybe twice, in the wintertime."

Which is enough to keep your car running without hurting your wallet.