Your vehicle’s exhaust system is extremely important. It greatly affects the performance of your car or truck, and it can also save your life by diverting deadly carbon monoxide fumes away from the vehicle. Here is what you need to know about your exhaust system and how to identify if it needs ti be inspected and repaired.
The Purpose of the Exhaust System
When the exhaust system is doing its job, you won’t even notice it. The main purpose is to divert exhaust fumes away from your engine and decrease their harmfulness. If those exhaust fumes are not being expelled properly, then it can lead to major deterioration within the engine compartment. Likewise, a build-up of carbon monoxide gas can be deadly if it starts seeping into the passenger cabin.
A well-running exhaust system will reduce your vehicle’s emissions and it can even improve your fuel economy.
Exhaust System Components
There are four primary components to most traditional exhaust systems:
Exhaust Manifold – Connects to the engine and expels exhaust fumes away from the engine and into the other exhaust system components.
Catalytic Converter – The catalytic converter will burn off and remove as much of the toxins as possible in your exhaust fumes, thus reducing air pollution and minimizing deadly carbon monoxide.
Muffler – The muffler minimizes the sound coming from your exhaust, so that your vehicle runs as quietly as possible (unless you have a custom exhaust that you want to sound louder on purpose).
Pipes – Pipes connect the various exhaust system components to conduct the travel of the fumes, ultimately expelling out of the tail pipe at the back of your vehicle.
Signs You Might Have Exhaust Problems
If you notice any of the following issues with your vehicle, it may be a sign of an exhaust issue:
Vibrations/Rattling – If your car is vibrating, losing power or making a loud rattling sound, it may be a problem with your catalytic converter that you’ll want to have checked out immediately by the expert exhaust repair technicians.
Check Engine Light – Your check engine light can come on for a variety of reasons. One of them is a failing catalytic converter. If your check engine light is on, get it looked at as soon as possible. If it is flashing, pull over immediately and call for help.
Loud Acceleration – If your vehicle sounds louder than normal when you step on the gas pedal, it may be a sign that your muffler or exhaust pipes are leaking or getting worn out.
Decreased Fuel Efficiency – Again, this can be a sign of many different issues, but exhaust problems are one reason why your fuel economy is starting to diminish.
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