I live in the northern suburbs of chicago. I was wondering if i need a bypass valve if i get a CAI? Do you only have to worry about driving through deep puddles?
This also depends if you have a skid plate on your car that shields you intake from below. I have a CAI with/out a bypass valve and live in rainy Seattle and have not had any problems yet. Like the previous guy said only big puddles can screw you up and you practically have to be fully submurged in a puddle for it to effect the intake. The bumper and skid plate do a good job protecting the intake for the most part though.
I had to makke my CAI into a short ram cause of the winter and the rain we have had here in cincinnati cause of the problem of suckimg up water so yeas you should get a bypass valve.