What does a cold air intake do for a car?

The hype of a cold air intake is everywhere, every car owner wants to have one and so do you. But before you get one you will ask yourself what does a cold air intake do for a car? And how does it work?

A cold air intake cools your car engine and generates more power for your car. There will also be some additional upgrades like an improvement in the sound of your car. In this article, we will jump right into what a cold air intake does for a car as to how it works, so keep reading to find answers to your questions.

How Does A Cold Air Intake Work

When you buy your car, it comes with a pre-installed air intake system, but with time this air intake system can get clogged, hence the need for a cold air intake. The working mechanism of a cold air intake is just like the lungs, the air is brought into it before it functions properly, but in a cold air intake system, there is an energy conversion of fuel to mechanical energy. This conversion can only be achieved with oxygen.

Your air intake brings cold air from the environment into your engine cylinder, this cold air contains oxygen that aids combustion. But why use cold air instead of warm air? Cold air is denser, containing more oxygen than warm air, and more oxygen means an increased rate of combustion.

What Does A Cold Air Intake Do For A Car?

There are many benefits of installing a cold air intake, you probably want to know their significance that’s why you ask what does a cold air intake do for a car? Well, they increase the horsepower of your car, they also improve your gas mileage. We will briefly explain these benefits.

Increased horsepower  

Your engine horsepower depends on the rate of fuel combustion. A cold air intake brings in cold air into your engine and this cold air contains a lot of oxygen which will help increase the rate of fuel combustion. An increase in the rate of fuel combustion means an increase in the horsepower of your car.

Improves gas mileage 

Installing a cold air intake can help you save gas, but how does that happen. Just like your horsepower, the rate at which you use fuel² depends on the rate of combustion. When cold air is brought to your car, it increases the rate of combustion which leads to the consumption of less fuel. But if your intake brings in the air with less oxygen the rate of combustion is decreased, and at this rate, your car uses more fuel than when you install a cold air intake.

Increased loudness of your car

By installing a cold air intake your car gains a lower and more aggressive sound. This loudness is desired by some car users, but if you find it annoying, you can get a muffler to reduce the loudness. The airflow in your engine becomes more audible after installing a cold air intake.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much horsepower does a cold air intake add to your car engine?

Installing a cold air intake can contribute 5 to30 HP to your engine. But this all depends on the modification of your car.

Can a cold air intake damage your engine?

If your air filter is exposed it may suck in water into your engine, this is called hydrolocking. A dirty air filter can also cause problems for your engine.

Do cold air intakes a difference?

Yes, installing a cold air intake has some notable impact on your car. It increases the horsepower of your car, makes your car louder, increases your car acceleration, and improved your car mileage.

Is a cold air intake worth it?

Installing a cold air intake is worth it in so many ways. It comes with an improvement in your car performance, enhancing your car acceleration, and other modifications. With proper maintenance, your cold air intake should serve you just fine.

Best Cold Air Intake

If you have decided to install a cold air intake in your car, then you might as well know the best cold air intake for your car.

K&N cold air intake kit

Key features

1. Washable high-flow air filter
2. Easy to install
3. Addition of 26HP

Conclusion 

If you were asking the question “what does a cold air intake do for your car?” then you should know all of its benefits by now. Installing a cold air intake comes with an increase in your car performance, a satisfying loudness of your car, and improved mileage increased horsepower and an increase in your car acceleration. You can now go ahead and enjoy your car with its new cold air intake.