Summer is rain season across most of the country's 4x4 routes. Drifts in Limpopo and Mpumalanga that were dry in September can be running by December, and further north into Botswana the water keeps rising into the new year. If your trip includes low-water crossings, it helps to know exactly what a snorkel does for you, and what it does not.
What a snorkel does
A snorkel moves your engine's air intake from low in the wheel arch or engine bay up to roof height. That matters because water drawn into the intake is one of the most expensive things that can happen to an engine. Raising the intake gives you a much bigger margin when a bow wave washes higher than expected.
It also helps on dry gravel. Air drawn from roof height carries less of the fine dust kicked up on corrugated roads and in convoy, which is kinder to your air filter on a long trip.
What a snorkel does not do
- It does not waterproof the vehicle. Electrics, sensors and the cabin are still where they were.
- It does not change your manufacturer's wading depth on its own. Diff, gearbox and transfer case breathers, and other components, still set the limits. Check your manual.
- It does not make a crossing safe. Current, depth and the riverbed decide that, not the vehicle.
How to approach a summer crossing
- Stop and look. Check the depth, the speed of the water, the entry and the exit. Look for debris, a soft bed or a washed-out exit.
- Check it on foot where it is safe to. If you would not walk across it, do not drive across it. In the lowveld and big river systems, crocodiles and hippos mean you should not step into the water at all.
- If in doubt, wait. Flash flood water often drops within hours. A long lunch is a better option than a recovery.
- Low range, steady pace. Enter gently, build a small bow wave and keep moving. Do not stop or change gear midstream.
- Check after. Dry your brakes with a few light applications, and check diff and gearbox oils at your next stop. Milky oil means water got in and needs attention.
Snorkels for South African 4x4s
IRONMAN 4x4 Africa snorkels are made to suit specific vehicles, so the price and fit depend on what you drive. As examples, the Toyota Hilux Revo snorkel is R4,950 and the Isuzu D-Max and MU-X snorkel is R6,950.
Still deciding whether you need one at all? Our earlier guide, Do You Actually Need a Snorkel for Your 4x4?, covers who benefits most.
Common questions
Does a snorkel let me cross deeper water?
It raises the air intake, which removes one of the main risks. Your vehicle's safe wading depth still depends on other components such as breathers and electrics, so follow your manufacturer's guidance.
Is a snorkel useful if I never cross rivers?
It can be. Drawing air from roof height means less dust reaches your air filter on gravel roads and in convoy, which helps on long dry routes.
Should I service anything after a river crossing?
Check diff, gearbox and transfer case oils. If any look milky, have them changed before you carry on with the trip.
Do snorkel prices include fitment?
No. Prices on the store include VAT and exclude fitment.
Find the snorkel for your vehicle in the snorkel range, or locate your nearest fitment centre on the store locator.