A muffler is a crucial part of your car's exhaust system. They are made of steel with aluminum coatings and sit at the rear bottom of your vehicle. Mufflers play a crucial role in absorbing and dampening engine noises and vehicle emissions. They also help to eliminate excess gasses from the engine.
In many US vehicles, mufflers can last between 5 to 7 years under normal circumstances and regular vehicle maintenance. Even so, there are certain conditions when your car's mufflers wear out earlier than expected. Such conditions include:
- If you mainly operate along coastal regions or communities along the ocean, your muffler gets exposed to salt, which might speed up the damage.
- You frequently drive on rough and bumpy rides exposing your mufflers to potholes, rocks, and other impact items that might damage them.
- Too much custom fabrication which might not be recommended by your car manufacturer.
How Can You Tell That Your Vehicle's Muffler Needs a Replacement?
Engine Misfires
Modern engines are quite complex, comprising numerous components which must work together to keep them working efficiently and effectively. Your exhaust system is one of these crucial components. Being part of the suspension system, a damaged muffler could impact the engine performance and lead to misfires, especially when you decelerate.
Too much Noise from the Exhaust
When your vehicle's exhaust is louder than normal, it is most likely that the muffler is damaged or has a hole in it. A damaged muffler leads to a pre-muffled exhaust leak which resultantly increases the exhaust noises. At this point, it would be best to have a mechanic inspect and replace the muffler.
Condensation from The Exhaust Pipes
When the engine stops running, and the exhaust system starts cooling down, the moisture tends to sit around the exhaust pipe and the muffler. With time, this moisture will eventually eat away the muffler shell and the walls of the condenser. The seams of your muffler will ultimately rust and start leaking exhaust noises and gasses.
If you need exhaust service and repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle down to our auto repair shop and let our mechanic experts handle it for you.