When you’re an off-road fan and you just love to navigate the open trails, cross rivers, and drive through really rough terrain, that’s the ultimate rush. However, no matter how strong your vehicle is, there’s one piece that can push its performance upward, and that’s definitely a stainless steel snorkel. Beyond its aggressive, intimidating look, the snorkel is not all about the looks. It’s all about capability. So how do these stainless snorkels make your car a better, more capable vehicle? Let’s get into everything that has to do with its improvements.
Engine Protection from Water and Debris
The simplest function of a snorkel is to elevate your 4×4 air intake system a couple of inches higher than the undercarriage of your vehicle, thus preventing water and debris from going into the engine. Whether you’re navigating deep water crossings, sandy deserts, or dusty trails, a snorkel will ensure that your engine always has access to cleaner, cooler air.
Without the snorkel, your vehicle’s stock air intake is a prone target to suck in water, dirt, and other debris normally found in the engine bay or the front bumper. Water can cause the car to flood, resulting in hydrolocking, which might flood the engine’s cylinders. If this happens, it could easily cause major damage.
Better Performance Under Severe Weather Conditions
A stainless steel snorkel protects your engine but also offers better performance, especially under severe conditions. In hot, dry climates, the snorkel draws in cooler, cleaner air, thus reducing pressure on your engine and ensuring that fuel is burnt more efficiently. Such cooler air is denser than any other temperature, holds more oxygen, and results in efficient combustion and performance of an engine.
Durability and Longevity
While snorkels may be offered in a variety of materials—from plastics, fibreglass, and steel—stainless steel stands out as being the strongest and one of the most corrosion-resistant types of materials. Off-road driving can bring you into direct contact with various elements, which can cause rust. These sleek and highly polished stainless steel snorkels are resistant to UV damage and stand the test of time, whereas some plastic snorkels can become brittle and crack over time.
More Acute Vehicle Appearance
While functionality is a primary concern in owning a vehicle, one can’t help but notice that this accessory does give an undeniable aesthetic appeal to the vehicle. It exudes toughness with rugged, industrial looks, signalling that your 4×4 is made for more than the city streets.
Long-Term Investment in Off-Roading
Off-road enthusiasts who take the road less travelled should consider investing in a stainless snorkel as a long-term investment. Besides protecting your engine and boosting performance, it also saves you money from repairs and keeps parts last longer since it keeps the contaminants out of the engine.
In addition, a stainless steel snorkel is going to help retain vehicle resale value. Any potential buyer is going to appreciate the additional vehicle modification in having one mounted, especially if they plan on doing significant off-road driving.
Preparing for the Next Adventure
Adding a stainless steel snorkel is a very practical yet classy upgrade. From taking water and dust out of the way from your engine to improving its performance under extreme conditions, a snorkel makes your car more functional while giving you peace of mind on your off-road adventure.
