How long does the cold air intake last?
The purpose of the cold air intake is to supply cold air to the car's engine. It is not standard on modern cars. Instead, it is an aftermarket part that can be added after the vehicle is purchased. If you have a used car, the previous owner may have added it to the car.
Cold air intakes can be made of rubber, metal, plastic or composite materials. The most efficient systems use an airbox that matches the size of the engine and extends the engine's powerband. The air inlet port of the intake system must be large enough to provide enough air for the engine, whether your car is idling, running at full throttle or somewhere else.
As air passes through the cold air intake, it becomes denser because it gets colder. So you get more oxygen in less air. In a car, more oxygen means more power. Because the cold air intake affects the engine, a clogged, dirty, or poor cold air intake reduces performance and fuel economy.
The cold air inlet filter becomes clogged over the years because it is constantly sucking in air. Once the filter is sufficiently dirty, the engine will lose power. If this continues, the filter will clog and your vehicle's fuel efficiency will decrease. Another effect of a dirty filter is a reduction in engine power. This is because the engine will have less air available for combustion because the vacuum pressure won't be able to draw in enough clean air.
Because the cold air intake deteriorates or gets dirty over time, you should be aware of the symptoms that indicate the need to replace the cold air intake.
Signs that your air intake needs to be replaced include:
- Loss of performance while driving
- Poor fuel economy
- Reducing the power of your engine
Although the air intake is not a necessary part of your car, if you have one, it is recommended that you keep it clean and well maintained to keep your car running at its best.
