OEM makes mid model colder air intake mod 'for fuel economy'

[ksa8907]

Either the wording is incorrect or in some climates in some conditions the engine starts sucking very hot air from the radiator area and the engine then has to retard timing and increase fueling to keep the engine running smoothly.

[slowmover]

Throttle call. Needs less opening if intake air is dense. And other conditions apply.

The 2014 Ram I6-6.7L Diesel went to two intake paths. Cold or Hot. First time in 25-Years. Software is now such that smaller gradations can factor.

The Detroit 13L driveline (DT-12 auto) I’m currently driving is more sophisticated than most would believe. . There’s a great deal goes into fly-by-wire, and “they” are getting it.

One can’t do what one wants anymore as to gearing and throttle opening, so adapting to what’s available from the drivetrain is the only course.

Regulating hot versus cold makes sense.

It’s about making the driver redundant. A.I. vehicles. And constricting choices of roads, passing zones, speed limits, etc. Remove the fun. Remove driving skill as a factor. Accept being (a full fledged Communist) part of an undifferentiated herd.

[Xist]

I do not see much evidence of driving skill.

[chefdave]

Well i had to back to manufactuers cold air intake. Loosing to much power climbing hills on an auto. See what happens in my next long trip over scottish mountains. Only variable i dont have control over is ambiant temp. Last 2 trips have been in sub zero temps.

[DSMHondaGuy]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It's common knowledge that CAI increases fuel economy. While it's common knowledge, it isn't common reality. Same with dirty air filters. A moderately dirty air filter isn't going to affect MPGs in the least.

One possible reason for the confusion is the ambiguity of the word "efficiency". Cold air intakes improve the efficiency of cramming more air into the combustion chamber and boosting peak power, but power efficiency isn't the same as fuel efficiency.

I don't know... a lot of these aftermarket "cold air intakes" are more like "hot air intakes" There's logic behind hot hair increasing mpg, not much with cold air that I can personally think of. It's denser... which means more will enter the cyl, which means the fuel mixture will need to be enriched to be correct, which means more power. But We're not after power, we're after getting "just enough" power to get to speed and maintain it so we burn as little fuel as possible.

higher velocity air that's the same temp as before the modification, or denser or a combination of the two serve to increase engine output through burning more fuel. I don't see how that helps increase mileage.


But since most of these "cold air" intakes suck ass and are actually hot air intakes sucking in hot engine bay air... THAT, that makes some sense.

[mattrod]

I installed a CAI on my car and didn't notice any mpg improvement though I like the new sound.

[slowmover]

It’s the right temp at the right time. CAI is pretty much limited to WOT. I can see some part throttle transitions, or a long steady hill ascent, but the computer needs to make the call.

[Ecky]

I can see a CAI working with a CVT, so long as the engine is sufficiently small that it can be kept at high load at all times. Higher RPM = higher parasitic loss, so higher volumetric efficiency is a win. With a manual or slush box, not so much.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by DSMHondaGuy

There's logic behind hot hair increasing mpg, not much with cold air that I can personally think of. It's denser... which means more will enter the cyl, which means the fuel mixture will need to be enriched to be correct, which means more power. But We're not after power, we're after getting "just enough" power to get to speed and maintain it so we burn as little fuel as possible.

Maybe it would be able to run leaner instead of richer, due to the denser air being colder enough to not increase NOx emissions so much. And that greater air flow (by mass, not volume) could actually compensate for the lower amount of chemical energy provided by the fuel. Not a bad idea at all.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I can see a CAI working with a CVT, so long as the engine is sufficiently small that it can be kept at high load at all times. Higher RPM = higher parasitic loss, so higher volumetric efficiency is a win. With a manual or slush box, not so much.

That makes sense.