If you have been considering fitting a 4 wheel drive snorkel onto your car, you must have been wondering if this was a suggested test. The selling points for the snorkel are usually hardcore off-road applications; however, snorkels have far more benefits, extending beyond the occasional deep-water crossings. It would then be a good idea to learn the exact functioning of a snorkel and how it adds to your drive and life, especially considering how many Australian 4WD owners are happy with it.
What Does a 4WD Snorkel Really Do?
The snorkel’s function is one of shifting the air intake position of your engine from where it lies at present beneath the bonnet to a higher, safer position high up in the air, say, at roof height. This change makes sure the engine is protected from dust clouds, debris, water, and all sorts of waste matter that might be harmful to the engine when sucked into the intake channel.
The common notion is that snorkels were created for river lookouts. On the plateau of Australia, however, more often than not, it’s the outback dust which poses the greater threat—and not the water. If you venture off-road and find yourself deep in the countryside, maybe in the outback or the coastal dunes, the snorkel ensures cleaner air flow and smoother engine performance.
When it works together with better fuel burning, the snorkel helps the engine run more smoothly and last longer.
Snorkel and Off-road Driving: A Love Match
For all its worth, when you are beach driving, heading off to the bush for the weekend, or cruising infinitely into the outback, snorkelling is what makes your trip complete (and safer, too). A vehicle without a snorkel crossing even shallow, swollen creek beds can, over the landing, introduce some risks. Water could be sucked right into the engine, unexpectedly, and hydrolocking, a messily expensive trouble, can become inevitable.
A snorkel quite effectively mitigates this risk by boosting the air intake well above the waterline. But even if you rarely confront water, you morph into an Australian dust magnet of considerable proportions. On busy trails, dust clouds from trails kicked up by horses, waggons, or other trucks can choke your engine. A snorkel breathes air from up high—and so you avoid the worst dust kickback.
Most drivers also consider that a cleaner operating environment is provided by having the inside of the vehicle less dusty when convoying or running on those boisterous, dry tracks.
What You Need to Consider for the Ideal Snorkel for Your 4WD
Selecting a snorkel is not just about selecting one that is aesthetically nice; it’s also very much about getting an applicable fit and good performance for your vehicle and personal driving style. With that in mind, please take the following into account before acquiring yours:
- Material — Usually, you have a choice between plastic and stainless steel.
- Fitment — Ensure that the snorkel is mechanically suited for your specific vehicle model.
- Airflow design — Look for low restriction and the flow efficiency in a brand that is known for the same.
- Climate — Some of these intakes come with pre-cleaners for heavy dust conditions.
- Professional installation — The correct sealing of these systems is a matter of performance and protection.
A well-made snorkel fitted correctly can last for years and years in the hardest environments.
Gear Up for the Outdoors
A 4×4 snorkel doesn’t just sit pretty as an accessory but is a smart investment for all those who love to tour the varied landscapes of Australia. It protects the engine and helps in wet, dusty conditions. That, for sure, gives a little assurance to explore more routes stress-free.
Take a chance and match a snorkel to your 4WD, returning to the action of the great outdoors in high gear!
