Your engine burns a mixture of oxygen and fuel to produce the power that moves you down the road. The air intake system, also known as an induction system, pulls the air part of that mix into the combustion chamber.

How an Air Intake System Works

The intake manifold draws the oxygen through an air filter and into the engine cylinders, helping to keep them cool and free of airborne contaminants and debris.

There are three components that determine how much air your induction system uses at any given moment. Those are the mass airflow sensor, an air metering system that connects to an engine control unit (ECU), and either an oxygen sensor or sensor array.

If you move the air intake system to the wheel well or near a fender, and you've made it into what's called a cold air intake. That draws in even cooler air, which is denser. That means your intake can pull even more air into the engine, which translates into a power boost.

How to Spot a Failing Air Intake System

Unfortunately, even the vest air intake system parts can begin to go bad. That's not good, since it can restrict your engine's performance. Signs of trouble include:

Engine idle speed is unusually faster or slower

Poor engine performance

Higher engine revs than usual

Your "Check Engine" dash light comes on

Genuine OEM Air Intake System Parts Perform Best

To confirm that an air intake system part has gone bad, connect a code reader. When you do need to replace a faulty part, get the right one for your vehicle. That would be one made by your manufacturer, since it was designed specifically for your model. That delivers the compatible fit and performance you need. Our online auto parts center has everything you need for your repair project in stock and ready to ship, so buy today and save!