Do you need a new exhaust?
Thursday 18th April 2019
Hearing knocking or rattling noises coming from your vehicle? Or perhaps you’ve noticed a reduction in your fuel efficiency? You may need a new exhaust. Find out how an exhaust system works, how long an exhaust should last and warning signs to look out for today.
How does an exhaust system work?
Your vehicle’s exhaust works by removing spent fumes from your engine. It also helps to control the noise the vehicle makes, improves the performance of the engine in general while also increasing your fuel efficiency.
Your vehicle’s exhaust is made up of several components. All of these components need to be in working order for the system to operate properly. As you drive, your exhaust’s manifold collects harmful gasses and funnels them into the catalytic converter. The converter then removes harmful elements from the gas such as hydrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide – keeping your engine safe and cooling it down.
Signs you need a new exhaust
Often when you have a broken exhaust, or an exhaust which is damaged, you will hear a grumbling roar from your vehicle while driving. However, this is not always the case – there are often other warning signs to look out for to indicate whether an exhaust replacement is needed.
- Noise – knocking or rattling noises coming from your vehicle can denote your exhaust may need replacing. This noise would be coming from underneath the car and may feel like the exhaust is dragging.
- Reduced fuel efficiency – this can be a symptom of many things, but needing an exhaust replacement may be one of them. This could be due to a leak in your exhaust system which will affect the system’s ability to transport fumes, leading your engine to overheat.
- Rust – visibly looking at the exhaust can show evidence of rust, splitting or holes. If you can see signs of excessive corrosion, this may indicate you need a new exhaust.
How long should an exhaust last?
It often depends on many factors as to how long an exhaust should last. Some of these factors include:
- Individual driving style
- Frequency of vehicle usage
- Vehicle make and model
- The age of the vehicle
Generally, in modern vehicles, the exhaust is designed to last for the life of the vehicle. This is due to the modern car exhausts being typically made from either stainless steel or chrome.
However, corrosion that takes place over time can cause holes to appear in the exhaust which can wear it down, leading to potentially damaged or broken exhausts. Other reasons why your exhaust may break could be due to driving through standing water (which would cause damage to the catalytic converter); hitting speed bumps if you’re driving too fast over them; or your exhaust coming into contact with other road hazards.
Unsure if your vehicle needs an exhaust system replacement? Book a free exhaust check online today from Formula One Autocentres. We supply a large range of top brand, full and part system car exhausts and catalytic converters to fit most vehicles. Find out more now.
