Optimising vehicle efficiency is a priority for automakers and drivers. One aspect that can affect fuel economy is the air intake system. This is mainly responsible for delivering air to the engine for combustion but depending on the design of the air intake system, there can be a significant impact on fuel consumption.
The air intake system is a critical part of the vehicle engine
And this is what supplies air to the combustion chambers. When it comes to a typical gasoline engine, air is mixed with fuel before the spark plugs result in its ignition. In a diesel engine, air will be compressed before fuel injection so that combustion can be achieved. The efficiency of the air intake system will play a critical role in optimising fuel economy of the vehicle regardless of the engine type you have. There are many factors that can influence BMW air intakes on fuel economy. A common issue in many stock air intake systems is restriction of airflow which happens when the intake system restricts the air flow to the engine. This will be a result of restrictive air filters, complicated intake paths and narrow intake tubes. This will lead to a drop in engine efficiency and fuel economy. The air filter is designed to remove contaminants like dirt, dust and pollen from incoming air. But as overly restrictive air filters can impede the flow of air. Engine efficiency can be reduced leading to increased fuel consumption. A balance can be achieved between airflow and filtration when you use high efficiency air filters. This will allow for optimal engine performance while providing sufficient filtration.
The temperature inside the air intake can affect fuel economy as well.
With cooler air, you will have more oxygen molecules and it will allow for efficient combustion. There are some air intake systems that are designed to draw cooler air from outside the engine bay so that fuel economy can be improved. There are sophisticated engine management systems in modern vehicles. These help regulate ignition timing, fuel injection etc. so that performance and fuel economy can be optimised. The engine control unit will monitor various sensor inputs including the intake air temperature and airflow so that fuel delivery and ignition timing can be adjusted.
When you upgrade to a high performance air intake system,
Airflow restriction is reduced so that smoother and more efficient airflow is taken into the engine. This can improve efficiency of the engine. And as high performance air filters provide superior filtration without compromising airflow, these filters can maintain optimal engine performance. As cooler air is taken in by high performance air intake system, efficiency of combustion is improved. Fuel economy will be enhanced as a result. This will be more apparent in hot weather. You will need to recalibrate the engine management system when you upgrade to a high performance air intake system so that fuel delivery and ignition timing can be optimised. With proper tuning, engine operation can be maintained at peak efficiency.