An air intake system is an importance part of a vehicle’s engine operation. It’s a system that delivers oxygenated air into the combustion chambers of an engine, which is an essential element for combustion within the engine. A good and proper working air intake system delivers clean and continuous amount of air into the engine which in turn allows the engine to deliver and more power and better gas mileage during operation.

How it works

The air intake system has a long plastic (which is mostly black) which it uses to draw air into the air filter covering and from there the air mixes with the car fuel then the mixture of fuel and air is sent into the intake manifold which will supply the mixture to the cylinders of the engine.



The function of the air intake system is to allow air to reach your vehicle’s engine. O2 (Oxygen) in the air is one of the necessary elements for the engine combustion process. A good air intake system allows for clean and continuous air into the engine; thereby attain more power and better mileage for your vehicle.

Air intake systems of these days have three major components that makeup the system.

Air filter
Mass flow sensor
Throttle body

These components above can be found behind the front trellis of the vehicle.

Air Filter


An Engine’s air intake filter or an air filter helps the engine to breathe well by preventing debris, waste buildup, water, insects, dirt and grime from getting into the engine. When you have a clean air filter or a clean engine air intake filter you should experience improved gas mileage, better acceleration, increased engine life, lower emissions and overall improved engine performance. A clogged up air filter can reduce the amount of air that gets into the engine, and gives the opposite of the advantages mentioned.

This makes it an importance part of a vehicle air intake system and it usually sits in a plastic or metal box. It can be found in the air stream of the vehicle’s throttle valve assembly and the intake manifold under the bonnet of the vehicle.

Mass Flow Sensor

A mass air flow sensor monitors the amount of air entering the fuel injected internal combustion engine. The air goes through the mass flow sensor before getting to the throttle body.

There are two mass air flow sensor which are commonly used in an automotive engines these days.

Vane Meter


This type of air flow meter has a flap that is pushed by the incoming air. The more the air rushes in, the more the flaps opens up by been pushed back by the air. There is a second vane behind the main flap which reduces the velocity of the air in order to get an accurate measurement.

Hot Wire


This uses series of wires strung in the air stream system. The electrical resistance which the wire produces increases as the wire’s temperature increases causing the electrical current flowing through the system to be limited. The air flowing through the system cools down the wire which in turn decreases the resistance of wire, allowing more current to flow through the circuit. The temperature of the wires increase until the resistance reaches an equilibrium.

Throttle Body

The throttle body is usually positioned between the air filter box, the intake manifold and the mass airflow sensor. Its main objective is to control the amount of air flowing into the engine’s combustion chambers.



It consists of a throttle plate that rotates on a shaft when the accelerator is depressed. The throttle plate opens up and allows air into the engine and when the accelerator is released the throttle plate will closes and effectively chokes-off air flow into the combustion chamber. This process is used to effectively control the rate of combustion and the speed of the vehicle.

I hope this piece would make you pay more attention to your air intake system and maintain it better.

Source: http://www.carmudi.com.ng/journal/the-air-intake-system-and-how-it-works/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=NG_journal&utm_content=theairintakesystem&utm_term=20150420