Do You Know How To Know If Your Exhaust System Is Bad?

Is your car getting too noisy? Are you losing power even when stepping on the gas pedal? Or maybe the “check engine” light came on while driving down the road? These are all signs of problems in the exhaust system, including the muffler.

Here are five simple ways how to know if your exhaust system is bad:

1. Listen to your vehicle – Unusual noises, such as thumping, clunking, or rattling, coming from the tailpipe could be an indicator of a damaged muffler or a leaky exhaust.
2. Look at the muffler – A visual inspection is one of the best ways to check the muffler for holes and rust.
3. Check your car’s temperature – Higher engine temperatures and a decrease in power are a result of a blockage in the exhaust system.
4. Filling up the Tank More Often – The engine’s oxygen sensors cannot accurately assess how much exhaust is actually in the system, resulting in lowered fuel efficiency.
5. Bad odor – A bad odor from a leaky exhaust system means that exhaust gases and toxic fumes are entering your car.

Remember: What does a leaky exhaust system cause:

• A noisy muffler,
• Decreased fuel efficiency, and
• Toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide, can enter the cabin of your car.