Should the Exhaust System Last the Life of a Vehicle?

The exhaust system is a very important component of any vehicle. It guides dangerous exhaust fumes away from the engine. These burnt gasses are guided away from your combustion engine through exhaust pipes. The exhaust fumes are sent through the catalytic converter, which burns off most of the deadly gasses and is vital for emissions standards. The fumes are pumped through the muffler, which reduces noise output, and finally expelled through the rear exhaust pipe.

A normal exhaust system will last anywhere from two to three years. However, it is important to check your exhaust system periodically for any damage caused on the road. There are also several things to look for to determine if you should have your exhaust system inspected or to have any parts replaced.

5 Signs Your Exhaust system needs service

 
 
1. Strange noises while accelerating
 
One of the first signs of exhaust problems that
you should to pay attention to is if you have an excessively noisy engine. If
the car gets unusually loud or there is any kind or rattling noises when you
accelerate, it could be an exhaust system issue.
 
 
2. Vibrations
 
Odd vibrations coming from the steering wheel or
gas pedal are a sure sign of an exhaust leak. You may also feel the whole car
shake if the exhaust leak is big enough. This vibration could be caused by
loose piping or clamps holding your exhaust system. If you experience any of
these signs please bring your car to our nearest NAPA Auto Care Centers of
Kendall.
 
 
3. Decreased fuel efficiency
 
When your power and acceleration decrease, often
the fuel efficiency of your vehicle also decreases. If you notice that the
vehicle isn’t getting its normal fuel efficiency, it may be an exhaust system.
To get your car to function in the same way that it does without an exhaust
problem, it has to work even harder, therefore using more fuel.
 
 
4. Gas smell
 
 

If you start to smell gas inside your car when you’re driving, this may be
a sign of exhaust problems. It is usually caused when one of the exhaust pipes
or tubes gets damaged and starts to leak. When that happens, the fumes from the
gasoline escape through any place they can. Sometimes, that place is in the
cabin of your car.

 

5. Check engine light
 
 
The check engine light may come on for any number of reasons, and a faulty exhaust system is one of them. If the check engine light is ever flashing, that means it’s an urgent problem. Get off the road as quickly as you can and call for help.