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What Does a Cool Air Intake Do?

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This article is sponsored by Sport Compact Warehouse.

Alfa Romeo red

You’re not the only one who gets hot and bothered. Your car is also susceptible to overheating. While you may be able to cool yourself down on your own, your car is another story. Overheating can kill your vehicle’s performance, leaving you stranded by the side of the road. You could crack the head gasket and warp your engine cylinders too. Overheated engine damage can also lead to costly repairs. Those costs will only continue if you don’t do something to cool down your car ASAP. More drivers are looking into the benefits of cold air intakes and what they can do to help their vehicles.


What does a cool air intake do for your car?

To appreciate the benefits of cool air intakes, you have to understand how they work first. The more you know, the easier it will be to buy quality intakes the first time around. The science behind cool air intakes is simple. They reroute the air filtration so it’s positioned outside of the engine compartment. This allows your car’s engine to suck in cooler air for the combustion process. This upgrade decreases the temperature of your vehicle, which reduces the risk of damage from overheating — and that’s just the start.


1. Enjoy more power on the road

You can finally get the horsepower you’ve always wanted. Even if you don’t have an overheating issue, you can still install cool air intakes to soup up your car. Some brands claim their intakes can increase horsepower by up to four times, which is impressive, to say the least. When coupled with additional performance upgrades, cold air intakes can take performance to another level. Horsepower isn’t the only performance benefit. New intakes will improve your fuel economy, ensuring better performance for longer. The more oxygen there is, the less fuel your car needs to run. They even open up your car’s sound a bit more, so you can truly appreciate your car’s engine revving up.


2. Less indoor air pollution in your vehicle

The look on your friends’ faces when you pass them on the road will be priceless. However, above all else, your health is your number one concern. Cold air intakes may supercharge your performance, but they also reduce the number of indoor pollutants in your car. Intakes pump more oxygen into your car, which circulates fresh air throughout the vehicle. These intakes outperform regular disposable air filters as well. That means less exhaust fumes, road debris, smog, and dust going into your lungs. This is essential for all vehicles, from sports cars to the family minivan.


3. An inexpensive upgrade

Cold air intakes are some of the least expensive car upgrades, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. A new intake system can cost as little as $150 and as much as $500, depending on how much power and expertise you want. You’ll also save money on future repairs since a new cold air intake system can prevent irreparable damage to your engine. Once your engine is toast, it’s likely cheaper to buy a brand new engine than shelling out money on constant repairs. Unlike some car modifications, you can install your own cool air intakes if you have a little repair knowledge. This will save you hundreds of dollars on professional installation.


Toyota GR Supra at Nurburgring
Photo: Sport Auto | YouTube

4. Put more miles on your car

Cool air intakes give your car the oxygen it needs to accelerate more, perform better, and improve its fuel economy. Another essential benefit to your performance is mileage. High mileage indicates significant wear and tear to your vehicle. Cars with fewer miles have a longer lifespan. This is essential information to know if you want to sell your car in the near future. Higher mileage also means more money in repairs. This problem increases your overall car ownership costs; however, intakes can help. If your miles are getting a little high, install new cold air intakes to decrease your engine’s gas consumption. You’ll also spend less money on gas, saving you hundreds of dollars by the end of the year.


5. Increase your vehicle’s value

Lower gas mileage speaks to the importance of maintaining (and increasing) your car’s value. This is essential if you ever want to sell your car for the highest price. Buyers cringe at cars with high mileage. They immediately envision a nightmare of repairs. This adds to the overall price of the vehicle in the buyer’s mind. If you’re serious about selling your car, do everything you can now to prevent skyrocketing miles, which includes new intakes. Since cold air intakes are inexpensive, it doesn’t hurt to install them as an added bonus. A high-performance car with low mileage is a huge selling point for buyers. Buyers may also appreciate the added benefit of enhanced sound, which comes with new intakes. Increased airflow, less indoor air pollution, and better acceleration also add to the overall value of your car.


6. Cold air intakes are environmentally-friendly

Another factor that could increase your car’s value is the eco-friendly aspect. Cold air intakes are an eco-friendly alternative to regular disposable filters. This means less waste for the planet and cleaner air for you. Disposable air filters typically need to be changed every 15,000 miles. Instead, cold air intakes only need to be cleaned at 50,000 miles. Still, you don’t even have to throw intakes away! Cold air intakes improve your car’s overall air filtration system, which makes your vehicle healthier for you and everyone else on the road.


7. Safe and sound

You can’t put a price on safety. Perhaps, the most crucial benefit of a cold air intake system is improved safety. Better performance isn’t just about going fast; it’s about reliability on the road. You can’t have a car with an engine that’s seriously in danger of malfunctioning. Consider the safety benefits of intakes before those miles climb even higher.


Discover the power of airflow

What does a cool air intake do for today’s cars? They increase the performance of your vehicle without compromising your safety. Don’t get stranded with an overheating car; remember these benefits as you decide on a new cold air intake system for your vehicle. Are you ready to hit the road? Discover even more tips and tricks for keeping your car in top shape.