Want to enhance your vehicle’s performance? Take steps to upgrade the air intake system. Not all air intake systems are the same, and we can break them into two types: oiled and dry cold air intakes. What makes them different, how important are they, and which one is best for you? Here’s the difference between oiled and dry cold air intake and what it means for your vehicle.

Cool Air

A cold air intake system is an assemblage of parts that work together to introduce, as the name suggests, cool air into the engine. Cool air is rich in oxygen; the molecules are densely packed together and released into the engine’s combustion system. More oxygen means more power—the cooler the air, the more powerful the combustion. Cold air intakes are available in oiled and dry models. Here’s a quick review of their individual pluses and minuses.

Oiled Cold Air Intakes

Oiled cold air intakes use oil, in part, to work. The filter in a cold air intake is pre-treated with oil, which allows it to catch more particles as it filters. This prevents the engine from becoming clogged with dirt, grime, and debris. The filtration process is thorough and very effective, and you can reuse the filter after cleaning it.

By that same token, cleaning and re-oiling demands time and effort. Another side effect of the oil is its potential interference with nearby sensors, leading to inaccurate readings.

Dry Cold Air Intakes

As an unsurprising counterpoint to oiled filters, dry cold air intakes don’t require oil to perform their filtration duties. The filters rely on whatever material they are made of—usually cotton or synthetic fabric—to block contaminants. Dry cold air intakes are much easier to replace since they don’t require cleaning or reoiling. They also remove the worry of interfering with mass airflow (MAF) and other nearby sensors.

While easy to replace, the regular cost of replacing them adds up. Plus, disposing of them contributes to waste production. They’re less efficient than oiled cold air intakes, too, because they let fine debris pass through, which could damage the engine.

The Right Choice?

After learning the differences, you might wonder which one is right for your vehicle. This largely depends on the climate in your area or wherever you regularly drive. Do you take dusty roads with a lot of debris in the air? Go for maximum filtration with an oiled cold air intake filter. If you are experiencing low amounts of dust and debris, a dry filter might be better. Plus, it removes the potential for oil damage to sensors!

That’s a quick explanation of the difference between oiled and dry cold air intake. If you have other questions about the best choice for you, contact us. We offer 6.0 Powerstroke engine upgrades and an assortment of other enhancements and equipment for your vehicle.