You may not think about your muffler often, but it plays an important role in keeping you safe and your car running smoothly. Like most car parts, a muffler’s performance will suffer with enough time and usage. It may even become damaged before you’re expecting to have to replace it.
First, it’s important to know how to tell if your muffler has become damaged. The easiest way to tell is if it is making more noise than normal. In that case, you should inspect it to see if you find any of the common signs of damage: holes, rust or leaking water. If so, you should look to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Here are some reasons why:
Your Safety
Let’s start with the most important consideration. Among other duties, a muffler carries exhaust out of your car. Just because your muffler is damaged doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a bigger issue with your exhaust system – in many cases it may still be sending the carbon monoxide out of your car. But if it isn’t doing that, it can get into your car’s ventilation system and cause serious problems.
Gas Mileage
With the price of fuel continuing to trend up, drivers are looking for ways to save at the pump. One way to do that is to ensure your muffler is in working order. A damaged muffler can mean your exhaust system isn’t working as well as it should. This, in turn, means your engine won’t work as efficiently, leading to decreased fuel economy. A working muffler means less trips to the pump.
The Noise and Smell
The noise made by a damaged muffler can start out as a minor nuisance and grow into being unbearably loud. This, in addition to increased exposure with carbon monoxide can lead to hearing loss. And while carbon monoxide may be odorless, other gases produced by your engine are not. If your exhaust system isn’t working as it should, you could be in for an unpleasant, smelly ride.
If you’ve noticed
muffler damage on your car and want to avoid dangerous, expensive and unpleasant vehicle experiences, Complete Automotive has you covered. Call us today at (805) 547-2333 to set up your appointment.
