Your car's exhaust keeps you safe while driving because it pulls fumes and emissions away from the cab of the car and deposits them safely behind you, doing more than just keeping the vehicle quiet as it runs. The exhaust system can affect the car's performance, as it works to mix fuel and oxygen together to get the combustion you need for the engine to function. Because of all these things, it's important to keep your car's exhaust in good working order. Note a few quick troubleshooting tips for when your car's exhaust is acting up.
High-pitched sounds from the car
If your car's muffler is broken or missing, you may hear constant, loud grumbling. However, if your car has a working muffler but you hear high-pitched sounds that resemble the engine revving, this often means that your muffler is not the right type for your car or is a poor-quality model.
If you had your muffler replaced with something other than a factory-original part, it may not fit the exhaust system properly and may not work as well to block out certain frequencies of sound, including the higher pitch your engine makes when it's running. A low-quality muffler may block out that loud rumbling but not work as well to control vibrating sounds that are heard at a higher pitch. Swap out your muffler for something from the dealership or a factory-original part and this should end that noise.
Misfiring ignition
When you try to start your car and it misfires or starts and then stalls, this may be a problem with the catalytic converter. This part works as a filter for the car's exhaust and it can get plugged with debris over the years, blocking that needed flow of oxygen to start your car properly. You can shine a flashlight into your car's tailpipe and note if you can see all the way to the front of the car. If not, the catalytic converter is probably clogged and needs replacing.
Poor gas mileage
If your vehicle is suddenly getting poor gas mileage, the exhaust system is the first thing to check. If there is a crushed or damaged pipe, it may not be letting in enough oxygen to mix with fuel so the vehicle is burning more fuel than it should. Not removing exhaust from the engine can also cause it to work harder to run, also using more fuel than it should. Replacing any damaged pipes in the car's exhaust can mean improving the gas mileage and protecting your car's engine from this excessive wear and tear.
Share19 July 2016
Hello! I am so happy that you found my blog. My name is Petal, and I love working on cars. I was the youngest child of five and the only girl -- as a result, I learned all about cars growing up. Currently, I am getting ready to return to uni, and I work as a delivery driver. I hope to study auto maintenance and repair. First, however, I want to write a blog all about car maintenance, auto accessories and related topics. This is my first blog, and I hope that you enjoy reading it. Thank you for reading!