Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, you've probably heard of cold air intakes. Cold air intakes are aftermarket upgrades that are designed to improve your vehicle's performance by increasing airflow to the engine. But what you may not know is that some people believe installing a cold air intake can void your vehicle's warranty. Is this true? Let's take a look.
The Truth About Cold Air Intakes and Warranties
It is a common misconception that installing a cold air intake will void your vehicle's warranty. This simply is not true. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which was passed by Congress in 1975, protects consumers from being forced to use only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts on their vehicles. In other words, your warranty cannot be voided simply because you installed an aftermarket part.
Of course, this doesn't mean that there are no circumstances under which installing a cold air intake could void your warranty. If, for example, the cold air intake caused damage to another part of your vehicle, then the manufacturer could potentially refuse to cover the repairs under the warranty.
However, this would have to be proven in court, and it would be up to the judge to decide whether or not the aftermarket part was actually responsible for the damage. In most cases, it would be very difficult for a manufacturer to prove that an aftermarket part caused damage to another component of the vehicle.
So, there you have it. Rest assured that installing a cold air intake on your truck will not void your warranty. Of course, as with any modification, there is always a possibility that something could go wrong. But as long as you purchase a quality product from a reputable manufacturer and have it installed by a professional mechanic, you should have nothing to worry about.
Why are Cold Air Intakes Illegal?
A cold air intake is an aftermarket car part that helps improve a car's performance by allowing it to take in more cold air (Learn more how much hp does a cold air intake add). While this may sound like a good thing, cold air intakes are actually illegal in many states. In this section, we'll discuss why cold air intakes are illegal and what you can do if you're caught with one on your car.
There are a few reasons why cold air intakes are illegal. First, they can cause your engine to run leaner, which means that there is less fuel being burned and more pollution being emitted. Second, cold air intakes can increase the amount of noise your car makes, which can be annoying to your neighbors and other drivers on the road. Finally, cold air intakes can void your car's warranty, which means that you'll have to pay for any repairs out of pocket.
What You Can Do If You're Caught With a Cold Air Intake
If you're caught with a cold air intake on your car, you may be subject to a fine or have your registration suspended. In some states, you may even be required to have your car inspected by a certified mechanic before it can be registered again. If you're unsure about the laws in your state, it's best to err on the side of caution and remove your cold air intake before hitting the road.
How to Know if a Cold Air Intake will Pass Smog
If you own a truck, you may be considering installing a cold air intake. While aftermarket parts can improve your truck's performance, you may be wondering if a cold air intake will actually pass smog. The answer is that it depends on the state you live in and the type of engine your truck has.
State Laws on Aftermarket Parts
Some states have very strict laws about aftermarket parts and modifications. In these states, it is unlikely that a cold air intake would pass smog. Other states are much more lenient, and as long as the part does not negatively impact emissions, it should pass smog without any issues.
To find out what the laws are in your state, your best bet is to contact your local DMV or emissions testing center. They will be able to tell you what parts are allowed and what parts are not.
Type of Engine
Another factor that determines whether or not a cold air intake will pass smog is the type of engine your truck has. If your truck has a carbureted engine, it is very unlikely that a cold air intake will pass smog. This is because carbureted engines are not as efficient at burning fuel as fuel injected engines, so they tend to produce more emissions.
On the other hand, if your truck has a fuel injected engine, a cold air intake is more likely to pass smog because these engines are much cleaner burning. However, there are still some fuel injected engines that will not pass smog with a cold air intake installed.
The best way to find out if your particular engine will pass smog with a cold air intake installed is to consult your truck's owners manual or contact the manufacturer directly.
Whether or not a cold air intake will actually pass smog depends on the state you live in and the type of engine your truck has. To be sure, your best bet is to contact your local DMV or emissions testing center for guidance specific to your situation.
Conclusion
Cold air intakes may seem like a good idea, but they're actually illegal in many states. If you're caught with one on your car, you may be subject to a fine or have your registration suspended. It's best to err on the side of caution and remove your cold air intake before hit- ting the road. Thanks for reading!