Tips for Taking Care of Your Car’s Exhaust System

Due to its location, the exhaust system is out of sight and out of mind for many drivers. However, when intricate pieces of steel experience problems, costly issues impact engine performance and create health risks due to harmful gases. 

Don’t just wait for your next scheduled maintenance—our experts share how your exhaust system works, reasons why it typically fails, and what you can do to maintain it.

The car’s exhaust system’s primary purpose is emitting dangerous vapours caused by the engine as it combusts fuel and air. Because components like pipes, mufflers, and catalytic converters are required to withstand extreme heat, pressure, and vibration, it’s crucial to pay attention to the part’s integrity. Ignoring issues can lead to a check engine light, damaging rust, and even allowing poisonous carbon monoxide inside. 

Find out how to ensure that the stainless steel components under your vehicle are in good condition by understanding how an exhaust system works and by maintaining its various features.

How Your Car Exhaust System Works

Your exhaust system not only diverts fatal gases away from passengers, but it’s also vital for reducing noise caused by the engine. So you can better understand what is going on underneath the hood, learn the details about the various parts tasked with cleaning up what’s left behind by the hard-working motor. 

The exhaust manifold is the first piece of the puzzle. Considered the engine’s lungs, the part is generally mounted where gas and air mix. As the combustion process wraps up, exhaust valves open to release waste vapours, which are sucked out by the specially designed manifold. Generally, it features an oxygen sensor near the departure point to measure the exhaust gas’s air levels and communicate the data to the vehicle’s computer. 

Next is the catalytic converter. It’s in charge of transitioning the dangerous vapours into carbon dioxide and water mist. The purpose of this conversion is to limit the toxicity released into the atmosphere. Tailpipes typically follow the catalytic converter and divert the waste to the exit. Near the end of the system rests the muffler or resonator, and sometimes both. While they perform similar duties, a muffler mainly reduces overall noise, while a resonator eliminates unwanted vibration noise. An exhaust tip completes the system. While it doesn’t have as substantial a role compared to the other components, it adds a stylish flair with customizable options. 

The system’s vital parts rely on multiple accessories like hangars, gaskets, flanges, and bolts to work efficiently. When they fail, vehicles may face exhaust sagging, leaks, or even the dreaded check engine indicator. Unfortunately, damage to these small parts can lead to significant expenses when they cause problems with the major components. 

How to Take Care of the Car Exhaust System

While there is little routine maintenance required to protect your exhaust system, addressing problems as they arise is crucial. If you aren’t currently experiencing problems, it’s still good practice to ask your mechanic to perform a regular inspection. They can ensure that the components are connected and in good condition while checking for carbon deposits.

Get the Check Engine Light Checked

Whether you’re a few blocks from home or miles away on the road, you have likely experienced the illumination of a check engine light and its attempt to ruin your plans. The car exhaust system is notorious for alerting drivers of a severe problem, and warnings should never be ignored. 

In the best-case and most affordable scenarios, the code is caused by a loose or ineffective gas cap. Unfortunately, more expensive reasons can demand budget-busting car repairs, such as repairs to the following: 

• A failed catalytic converter 
• Faulty oxygen sensors
• Exhaust leaks
• A defective mass airflow sensor 

Getting to the bottom of the alert promptly is critical to avoiding further damage by operating the vehicle. You can usually get a free scan at your local auto parts shop or ask a trusted mechanic to use their scanner for a diagnosis. 

Signs of a Failing Exhaust System

An easy-to-identify indicator that something is wrong is excessive noise or vibration from underneath your vehicle. It’s primarily noticeable during acceleration when sounds escape from cracks or holes in a pipe. You may also experience a decrease in power and fuel efficiency, as the engine performance is limited when it can’t properly breathe. 

You can check for visual issues by looking for sagging or dragging pipes. This generally occurs when a hangar becomes dislodged from the frame due to driving on imperfect surfaces.

Check for Leaks

If you suspect your vehicle is suffering from an exhaust leak, it’s essential to search for the problem with care. Because the system produces intense heat, do your best to look for issues once it cools down. You should first inspect the exhaust manifold from under your hood. Then, follow the pipes throughout the system to find pinholes or more severe cracks. Be thorough when viewing connection points, as sometimes a failed gasket or dislodged joint can be the culprit.

How you resolve the leak will depend on the severity of the damage and its location. Small holes can be temporarily repaired with exhaust tape or a new gasket, but a complete replacement is sometimes required.

Annual Inspections

While annual safety inspections are not mandatory throughout all of Canada, it’s still a good idea to periodically check your vehicle’s efficiency. If your province does require unavoidable safety checks, enact a budget to quickly help you resolve emissions problems and get back on the road. 

Conclusion and Recommendations

It’s impossible to dismiss your car’s exhaust system as a critical part of its operation. Pay attention to its warning signs by noticing questionable noises or a lack of performance. When the components begin to fail, it’s a good idea to ask a licensed mechanic for their opinion about the repair. You may put yourself or passengers in harm’s way if you fail to complete the resolution correctly. Because exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide are invisible, they can cause health hazards without warning. 

When one piece of the system requires repair, you should also consider replacing nearby components. If the issue was caused by rust, it’s possible that the corrosion has spread to other parts and will eventually cause more problems. Ensure your vehicle can pass emissions tests and travel safely by taking exhaust maintenance seriously.