Your vehicle’s exhaust system removes the exhaust from the combustion chamber and treats it before it exits through the tailpipe. The exhaust system is usually free of problems, but it can clog or leak. When this happens, you will notice some strange things that Clark’s Car Care is going to list below. It’s important to have the exhaust system repaired as soon as possible for the following reasons.
Exhaust Odors
You should never smell your vehicle’s exhaust inside the passenger cabin. If you do, the exhaust system is either clogged or leaking. As you know, inhaling vehicle exhaust can be deadly, so it’s important that you have your exhaust system inspected and repaired right away. In fact, it’s a good idea to have your automobile towed to our shop rather than drive it here so that you don’t inhale your vehicle’s exhaust on the way.
Horsepower Loss
If your exhaust system is clogged, you may lose horsepower. You can also lose horsepower if the exhaust system is leaking. You will notice this power loss particularly when you are accelerating, as your vehicle’s acceleration will lag. Your engine will also lose power. This can be frustrating, especially when you are driving on highways where the speed limit is much higher than on city streets. Unfortunately, your engine’s power will not be restored until you get the exhaust system leak fixed.
Loud Engine
Another sign of an exhaust system leak is a very loud engine. This is also a sign that your muffler is damaged. An overly loud engine is not only annoying but also illegal. If you don’t get the exhaust system leak fixed in a timely manner, you may end up with a moving violation. Aside from being loud, you will also hear rumbling, hissing, and popping noises coming from your engine. This may sound cool on the racetrack, but it’s a sign that your vehicle is having problems that need to be addressed.
Poor Fuel Economy
Finally, a clogged or leaking exhaust system can affect your vehicle’s fuel economy. This is because it causes an imbalance of fuel and air in the combustion chamber. When this happens, your engine does not run efficiently. Naturally, an inefficient engine will not get good gas mileage. As with the other symptoms listed above, your vehicle will continue to get poor gas mileage until you get the exhaust leak fixed.
Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, can help, so give us a call today. We’d be happy to inspect your vehicle’s exhaust system and repair it if necessary.