The exhaust system is one of the important elements of the car, although at first glance it does not seem. In fact, it is responsible for several important functions that a car cannot do without. That is why you need to take care of it properly so as not to damage it. How to take care of the car’s exhaust system? Here are some tips.

Construction and functions of the car exhaust system

How to take care of the car’s exhaust system? Before we get to that, we need to explain its essence. The exhaust consists of a catalyst, silencers, lambda probe, connecting pipes and flexible connectors.
Each of these elements is responsible for something different. The exhaust collector collects the gases formed as a result of combustion and then delivers them to the catalyst, whose task is to reduce harmful chemical compounds. A silencer, as the name suggests, suppresses engine noise, and the lambda probe collects information about exhaust gas levels. The functions of the exhaust system include:

• removal of by-products of the combustion process,
• flue gas evacuation,
• noise reduction,
• exhaust gas purification,
• minimizing exhaust heat radiation.

How to take care of the car exhaust system?

That’s why you need to be able to protect yourself well. Rust is formed as a result of poor working conditions – It is enough to remove road salt residues after winter, protect it with special high-temperature paints or control the suspension of the vehicle.

As the corrosion progresses, it causes mechanical damage – which can lead to clogging of the exhaust pipe. Consequently, the car’s engine chokes and its power drops.
When visiting a mechanic, you can ask him for additional protection against excessive vibration. Special elements are then used, e.g. supports, brackets or hangers.
The catalyst is the main element of the exhaust system. However, like all things, its life finally ends. In this case, a new one or spare parts should be installed. There are several tips that can effectively extend his life.

The first of them talk about not going into deep puddles at high speed. The engine is warmed up while driving, its rapid cooling can seriously damage individual components, especially the catalyst and exhaust manifold, which are closest to the engine and have the highest temperature.

Secondly, avoid short distances, mainly in winter. The car’s engine will not be able to warm up well then. This results in the accumulation of unburned fuel residues. This causes corrosion of the metal elements and that the remaining fuel burns in the catalyst.

Thirdly, you should carefully overcome any road unevenness, including slowdowns. One should know that the catalyst is quite delicate, especially due to the contribution, which can be ceramic. Therefore, any mechanical damage is very often the cause of its malfunction. The car’s silencer can also be interrupted during a quick collision with a hump.

Why is car exhaust system important?

It is worth taking care of the exhaust system, not only to save money that would be spent on repair. An efficient system does not cause combustion problems. This is important for ecological reasons.

In addition, a dysfunctional exhaust system can translate into poor engine performance, damaging it. It all affects the functioning of the entire car, and therefore, its trouble-free use. It is also worth saying that you cannot move a vehicle whose exhaust system is damaged. Such driving threatens the imposition of a mandate by the police or even the retention of a registration certificate.

Exhaust system malfunctions – possible diagnoses

Finally, we can say about the damage that may occur in the system. They are guidelines that may not be the real causes of the fault. Therefore, any irregularity should be carefully checked with a car mechanic. This will allow you to pre-diagnose the cause of the problem, and thanks to the faster response it will not cause much damage to the car.

• loud noise – the muffler is damaged or corrosion has caused a hole in the exhaust system,
• damaged hangers that caused tearing of the exhaust system – as a result of corrosion or while driving, damage occurred, e.g. by collision with something on the road,
• the feeling of exhaust gases inside the car – system leakage, hole in the system caused by rust,
• “check engine” and emergency mode – the lambda probe is not working properly or has failed, the catalyst is clogged,
• high fuel consumption with a decrease in power – lambda probe failure,
• power drop, and at the same time stifling the engine – clogged catalyst or DPF filter,
• the engine goes out, there are problems with its starting, the “check engine” indicator lights up, the smell of exhaust gases in the coolant – the EGR exhaust gas recirculation system does not work properly,
• various types of visible places covered with rust – insufficient protection of the system by the manufacturer or improper maintenance. Very often it attacks exhaust pipes. You have to pay attention to such things because only a fully functional exhaust system does not increase the emission of harmful substances,
• DPF indicator light on, power drop – DPF or FAP particulate filter clogged, mechanical filter damage, filter sensor damage, no catalytic fluid in the filter,
• the appearance of “check engine” and a decrease in engine power – SCR system failure, no AdBlue fluid in the tank, damage to the AdBlue injector.