Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of managing intake temperature of intake gases in internal combustion engines to enable autoignition of small-molecule low-cetane fuels. In some aspects, a method of operating a compression ignition engine can include moving a volume of air through a first flow path, closing a first valve to prevent the volume of air from entering a charge air cooler (CAC), opening a second valve to guide the volume of air to a second flow path, the second flow path including a heating unit, and moving the volume of air to an intake manifold. In some embodiments, the method can further include applying heat via the heating unit to the volume of air while the volume of air moves through the second flow path.