News

Your muffler does a lot more than keep your car from being embarrassingly noisy. The exhaust system, in fact, is a big part of what keeps your vehicle running right! Here are some reasons why that exhaust system is so important to your car’s overall health:

--The exhaust system and muffler help direct toxic exhaust gases away from the passenger compartment and channels them behind the vehicle. Obviously, this one is pretty important to your health!

--The engine is designed to run with a certain amount of “back pressure” or resistance to exhaust flow on its way out of the engine. A lack of back pressure can cause a rough running condition and if left long enough, can damage exhaust valves and other engine components.

--The engine’s drivetrain computer regulates emissions, but it needs a functioning exhaust system to work properly. A hole in the muffler or other exhaust problems can lead to a “hard code” being registered in the engine computer, triggering the Check Engine light and causing you to risk failing an emissions test.

--The catalytic converter resembles a muffler and is located in the exhaust stream. Its function is completely different from the muffler, however; it uses extreme heat to actually incinerate and neutralize pollutants before they escape through the exhaust pipe. Usually the converter lasts the life of the vehicle; however, in instances where the catalytic converter fails, it can become plugged and actually prevent the vehicle from running at all.

--The engine computer relies on oxygen sensors in the exhaust stream, which monitor the makeup of the exhaust gases. O2 sensors have been known to fail, and if they fail it can result in a rich-running condition…and a failed O2 sensor can result from a failed muffler.

So yes, there’s more to your exhaust system than just keeping the car quiet! If you suspect you might be having muffler or exhaust issues, don’t put it off and don’t try to just fix it yourself. Make an appointment with us at New England Tire Car Care Centers, let us put that car up on the rack and we’ll figure out what’s going on!