Intake air conditions, such as air temperature, pressure, and humidity, are very important parameters that influence engine performance including combustion and emissions characteristics. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intake air temperature on combustion and exhaust emissions characteristics in a single cylinder diesel engine. In this experiment, an air cooler and a heater were installed on the intake air line and a gas flow controller was installed to maintain the flow rate. It was found that intake air temperature induced the evaporation characteristics of the fuel, and it affects the maximum in-cylinder pressure, IMEP(indicated mean effective pressure), and fuel consumption. As the temperature of intake air decreases, the fuel evaporation characteristics deteriorate even as the fuel temperature has reached the auto-ignition temperature, so that ignition delay is prolonged and the maximum pressure of cylinder is also reduced. Based on the increase in intake air temperature, nitrogen oxides(NOx) increased. In addition, the carbon monoxide(CO) and unburned hydrocarbons(UHC) increased due to incomplete fuel combustion at low intake air temperatures.