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Chances are you've heard the screeching rev of a loud car and cringed at the sound – and you might be wondering what causes that. Usually, it's either the exhaust or muffler. Both the muffler and the exhaust play a role in both the function and sound of a vehicle. To learn about the difference, let's break down the role of each.
What's an Exhaust System?
Whenever you drive your vehicle, it produces emissions. Those are released through the exhaust system. The exhaust system has four main functions:
- Carry exhaust from the engine out of the vehicle, which protects both your vehicle and any passengers in it.
- Reduce the amount of noise created by the engine, as combustion engines are loud.
- Improve fuel consumption, as quick release of emissions helps fuel efficiency.
- Improve engine performance, because as emissions are released the engine has less pressure.
Emissions move through the exhaust system in a few steps. First, they pass through the exhaust manifold, which collects gas emissions and forces them through the exhaust pipe. The catalytic converter converts the emissions to water vapor. The part of the exhaust system you can see is called the tailpipe, and that's what expels the emissions out of the vehicle.
What's a Muffler?
Your vehicle's muffler is part of its exhaust system. Because your vehicle is propelled by a combustion engine, it can naturally get very loud. The muffler helps disperse the sounds your engine makes.
The muffler itself has several holes, which is how sound is dispersed. Exhaust and their accompanying sounds enter the muffler, where they bounce around and dissolve through those holes.
How Do I Know If Something Is Wrong with My Muffler or Exhaust?
There are several signs that something is wrong with your exhaust system. These are just a few:
- Your vehicle suddenly sounds much louder. This could indicate something in the exhaust system isn't working as it should.
- Rattling from near your tailpipe. This could mean the muffler is loose.
- Strong smells. This might mean emissions aren't being filtered as they should be.
- Decrease in fuel efficiency. It's possible that emissions aren't being released, and it's affecting your fuel economy.
Both the muffler and the exhaust are important to your vehicle. If you're looking for exhaust or muffler repair, please visit our shop.