Yet another (maybe stupid) question about CAIs.

[PaulGiz]

I'm not a big fan of Cold Air Intakes on most cars, but the intake on our 2.5s is absolutely absurd. The length of the tract, the number of sharp turns, etc. I'm considering one.

My question is, what about in the dead of winter? Say a 10 degree F morning. Will car warm up? Any ill effects? Anybody switch back and forth between seasons? Moisture?

Don't want to damage my DD, or even cause excess wear (I tend to keep my car a long, long, long time).

P.

[jaja123]

just throw it on man. And if u let ur car sit overnight whether it be stock intake or a cai its still gonna be sucking up the same temp air on start up and it doesn't matter. I have started up below 10 degrees before with my cai and it runs fine. Had mine on for about a year and a half. Nearly everyone here probably has some sort of aftermarket intake.

[HollisJoy]

Yup, put 1 on & forget about it!
Mine went on about 30 days after I bought it in December.

It lets the 2.5L make beautiful noise

[maduro]

Put your cai in.. Just be careful when there's heavy rain and puddles.. I learned my lesson.. I keep my short ram in my trunk just incase i need to switch it.. Its simple so better safe than sorry. I don't think cold weather affects it at all, it will be the same temp at startup

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

[Fudgey Memory]

The Carbonio rattles against things. Drives me nuts. Hard to change the filter element. They had to remove the front bumper cover just to intall the thing.

I'd get one like the one in the pic if I were you. Plus, you won't have to worry about hydro lock with a shorter one.

I'd never do it again. And I'm switching to a shorter one.

[phrog23]

The Carbonio rattles against things. Drives me nuts. Hard to change the filter element. They had to remove the front bumper cover just to intall the thing.

I'd get one like the one in the pic if I were you. Plus, you won't have to worry about hydro lock with a shorter one.

I'd never do it again. And I'm switching to a shorter one.

Yours rattles, did you install the bracket that goes on the filter housing to the chassis?? And I have never had to change mine just clean it... Turn the wheel far right, remove 2-3 torq bits from fender, pull out of way... Easy access...

[kueckerdj09]

Running a CAI for over a year now, no problems at all. Sounds mean too!

[Justin14]

I'm in the same boat, OP. 2012 and all.

I'm sure the Carbonio sounds a little better but the P-Flo is easy to install, easy to work with the filter, and cheaper. I'm undecided.

Keep us updated.

[PaulGiz]

When I have a bit of spare cash I will be getting the P-flow.

Carbonio may have better sound/performance (maybe) but I already have a wetvac so I'm not looking to suck any water from the road.

My car is transportation, not a delicate flower that I must preserve from the whims of nature and the Highway department.

The P-flow is also 50-state certified, so I don't have to worry about state giving me grief down the road.

P.

[Justin14]

When I have a bit of spare cash I will be getting the P-flow.

Carbonio may have better sound/performance (maybe) but I already have a wetvac so I'm not looking to suck any water from the road.

My car is transportation, not a delicate flower that I must preserve from the whims of nature and the Highway department.

The P-flow is also 50-state certified, so I don't have to worry about state giving me grief down the road.

P.

ok. The only thing to maybe watch out for, is whether or not it will cause a check engine light. I havent done enough research on that.

[bward584]

I have the carbonio. Love it! I prefer it over the P Flo or any other short ram for that matter. I live in Chicago and I had 0 problems last winter and 0 problems with rain water or puddles. Even the HUGE puddles we have on our crappy roads.

[twotech]

I have the P-Flo and its what I would chose again. With a CAI vs short ram there's always the danger of hydrolock which a couple of members of this forum experienced.

Did anyone experience a rattle with the P-Flo and heatshield? Mine rattles a bit at higher rpm and I can't seem to pinpoint it. Nothing too bad though.

[Nick_V08]

I got the P-Flo in my 08 Rabbit and love it. But one thing it will throw a CEL after a few days of installing, and it's known to on 08 rabbits so you'll need a MAF Insert which I made with the DIYer on here but since I got it in CEL is nomore for good! Really weird how the piping works to trick the maf but it does.

That with my full custom magnaflow catback (EXACT same as the kit for the car) muffler(exact muffler from kit) and all, stock piping size even as kit has.. It an amazing combination and complements the P-Flo together like peanut butter and jelly. XD

[Justin14]

I got the P-Flo in my 08 Rabbit and love it. But one thing it will throw a CEL after a few days of installing, and it's known to on 08 rabbits so you'll need a MAF Insert which I made with the DIYer on here but since I got it in CEL is nomore for good! Really weird how the piping works to trick the maf but it does.

That with my full custom magnaflow catback (EXACT same as the kit for the car) muffler(exact muffler from kit) and all, stock piping size even as kit has.. It an amazing combination and complements the P-Flo together like peanut butter and jelly. XD

Yeah but, we would like to know if it would cause a CEL in our 2012's? Do we have a maf?

[Nick_V08]

Newer cars you'll be perfectly fine. I've heard of no problems with them on here.