* Improved Cold-Start Performance: Cold air is denser, meaning less oxygen is available for combustion. Preheating the air increases the oxygen's volume and improves the efficiency of the combustion process, leading to easier starting and quicker warm-up, particularly in cold weather.
* Reduced Emissions: More efficient combustion due to warmer air results in cleaner burning and lower emissions of pollutants like particulate matter (soot) and hydrocarbons.
* Better Fuel Economy: Improved combustion efficiency translates to better fuel economy, as less fuel is needed to achieve the same power output.
Different types of preheaters exist, including:
* Glow plugs (diesel): These electrically heated elements heat the air in the combustion chamber directly.
* Intake air heaters (diesel & gasoline): These heat the air before it reaches the combustion chamber, often using engine coolant or exhaust gases.
* Grid heaters (diesel): These electrically heated grids are situated in the intake manifold.
The preheater's operation is usually controlled by the engine's computer, which activates it only when needed (e.g., during cold starts).
