What Does a Cold Air Intake Do?  

If you're serious about maximizing your vehicle’s performance, then chances are you already have your eye on some aftermarket options to make driving that much more enjoyable. One of the more inexpensive engine enhancements to help improve performance is a cold air intake.

Read on to learn more about how installing a cold air intake can take your vehicle's performance to the next level. Contact your local GreatWater-affiliated shop today to schedule an appointment to have one installed.

Cold Air Intake Boosts Vehicle Performance

What does a cold air intake do? As the name implies, a cold air intake is designed to draw in cool air from under and around the hood of the vehicle, where it tends to be very hot. It does this by drawing air in areas above the hood, beneath the front bumper, or even within various compartments that don't tend to be as hot as other areas.

This happens when cooler air with more oxygen mixes with fuel in the engine, making the vehicle run better and use fuel more efficiently. Many drivers report the following performance benefits following the installation of a cold air intake:

Horsepower

How does a 20-horsepower improvement sound? Following the installation of a cold air intake, many drivers report anywhere from a 5 to 20-horsepower increase. 

Acceleration

Following the installation of a cold air intake, you'll likely notice that you're getting a little more juice when you hit the gas pedal. That's because cold, dense air helps improve vehicle responsiveness. 

Throttle Response

You'll notice the benefits of a cold air intake if you do a lot of driving on uneven terrain. Again, the key is in the cold air that's drawn into the engine. It helps improve throttle, enabling drivers to reach their desired speeds faster. It can come in especially helpful when you're driving uphill and the engine has to work a little bit harder.

Fuel Efficiency

Unlike many other aftermarket engine modifications, one of the nice things about cold air intake installation is that it improves fuel efficiency. Many drivers report anywhere from 5 to 10 percent improvements in fuel economy.

Filtration

Another benefit of a cold air intake is air filter improvement compared to a stock filter. Though stock options are effective, it's typically best practice to replace them every 15,000 miles or so. Cold intake filters, conversely, can be easily removed, cleaned, and then replaced. Some drivers even report up to 100,000 miles of use before they require cleaning.

Acoustic Improvements

An added bonus following the installation of a cold air intake is the sound you'll hear. Yes, cold air intakes also offer improved sound quality - and a roaring engine is something that all car enthusiasts tend to yearn for.

Stock intakes are designed to operate quietly. But when you install a cold air intake, you can expect to hear a more aggressive engine when you're driving.

Installation and Maintenance of Cold Air Intake Systems

Contact your local GreatWater service center today to learn more about the installation and maintenance of cold air intake systems. We're here to help you ensure that you're getting the most out of these systems, whether we're installing one for your vehicle or servicing a vehicle that you purchased with an existing intake system.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

So is a cold air intake worth it? For many drivers, the answer is "yes."

Not only do drivers experience performance benefits following the installation of a cold air intake, but they're also likely to experience fuel economy improvements to boot. And the roar of the engine as it comes to life is often the cherry on top for any car enthusiast. When you consider that cold air intake installation is also one of the more affordable aftermarket engine modifications, it's worth it for many drivers serious about how their vehicle performs.

Key Takeaways

More horsepower. Faster acceleration. Greater throttle. Improved fuel economy. These benefits are all associated with the addition of a cold air intake.

Whether you need maintenance on an existing cold air intake or you want to install an aftermarket system under the hood of your current vehicle, GreatWater 360 is here to help. As a full-service automotive maintenance and repair center, we handle everything and anything related to your vehicle - no matter how big or how small it is. We get the job done the first time, and get it done right, so with our GreatWater Guarantee, an industry-leading 3 Year/36,000 Mile Nationwide Warranty, you can rest assured that our repairs and installations are built to last. 

Find your nearest GreatWater garage today to schedule an appointment or contact us for more information on the benefits and value of a cold air intake system.