Living in Ontario, Canada, we can, at times get some very cold winter weather. The last couple of years, we have only had a couple of big snow falls so I do not think that that is an issue. For those of you with CAI, do you leave them on year round or take them off and go back to stock for the winter?
Vibedad 2005 Base Vibe, Abyss, 5 spd, Moons & Tunes, all options but leather, Tinted, Cosmo CAI, Megan STB, Tein S Lowered
The splash guard below the fog lamps should be more than enough protection for your CAI. I guess you could extend it more towards the engine, but that might be more trouble than it's worth.In fact, I can't think of anyone here who's reported any kinds of weather issues with their CAI.
I think the question is not with regard to engine damage but with gas milage. I've left mine on with other cars but I notice a decrease in milage. Now, this could be in conjunction with snow and overall colder driving and longer warm up but the cooler dense air will change the sensor reading "I believe" and change the fuel consumptiopn. Thoughts welcome
you will be fine leaving it on. first winter, i ended up taking mine off because the car went in for servicing and i didn't re-install it til January when i got my unichip. then the next winter, i left both on and had a very difficult time in the snow and ice. the torque steer was terrible and (amazing as it was) the low end torque with the mods made the car extremely squirly, especially going up hill in the ice or snow. i had a vibe GT and you have a base, so i doubt you will have those same problems. but as others mentioned above, you don't get as good mileage as you do without in winter especially.
Leave mine in...make sure you re-oil it and everything in prep. for winter and then again in the spring. Gotta keep all that road salt from gettin in there. I dunno if you have road salt where you live to get rid of the ice but let me tell you, it DESTROYS your cars paint/finish.