An intercooler is a type of heat exchanger used in turbocharged diesel engine truck applications.

Is an Intercooler the same as a Charge Air Cooler?

Yes, in the context of diesel trucks, an intercooler and a charge air cooler (CAC) refer to the same component.

• Intercooler is the general term for any device that cools compressed air before it enters the engine.
• Charge Air Cooler or CAC is the specific term used in diesel engines, especially heavy-duty trucks, to describe the air-to-air intercooler that cools air from the turbocharger before it enters the intake manifold.

So, when people talk about a charge air cooler in a Kenworth, Freightliner, or Peterbilt, they are referring to the intercooler, usually an air-to-air type mounted at the front of the truck.

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