| Topic | Summary |
| Intake system components |
The primary components of the automotive intake system are: intake manifold, throttle body/carburetor, and air induction components such as air cleaner and ducting. |
| Air cleaners |
Air cleaners filter the air before it reaches the engine. They remove abrasive particles which cause wear and damage. The filter must stop minute particles without restricting air-flow. |
| Carburetor air cleaners |
Most air cleaners trap abrasive particles using a pleated dry paper element, but some use the dust-attracting property of oil. |
| EFI air cleaners |
The air cleaner on a multi-point fuel injected engine uses a dry-type element. It is connected to the throttle body by a duct. For optimum performance, it needs to be supplied with cool, clean air. |
| Intake manifolds |
The intake manifold carries the air of the air-fuel mixture to each cylinder. In spark-ignition engines, fuel is either mixed with the air at the entrance to the manifold, or injected close to the cylinder head. |
| Intake air heating |
To maintain ideal combustion conditions and reduce emissions, many air cleaners include a system to maintain air-intake temperature, regardless of outside air temperature. |
| Volumetric efficiency |
Volumetric efficiency is a measure of the air-fuel mixture burned in the cylinder, usually expressed as a percentage. |
| Forced induction | Engine performance can be improved using an air pump to force air or mixture into the cylinders. A pump driven by exhaust gases is called a turbocharger. |