Snorkels

A snorkel is installed on a vehicle, typically an off-road vehicle, primarily to allow the engine to access clean air by raising the air intake point, thus protecting it from water when driving through deep water crossings and potentially dust in extreme environments, while also providing access to cooler, cleaner air which can improve engine performance; essentially, it acts as a raised air intake system.

Key points about snorkels:

Water protection:

The main purpose is to prevent water from entering the engine by raising the air intake point above the waterline when driving through deep water.

Dust mitigation:

In dusty environments, a snorkel can help filter out large particles by positioning the air intake higher where cleaner air is available.

Improved airflow:

Some snorkels are designed to improve airflow by channeling air more efficiently to the engine.

Off-road application:

Snorkels are most commonly seen on off-road vehicles like Jeeps and trucks that frequently encounter deep water crossings.