From oil changes and tire rotations to replacing the wiper blades and refilling brake fluid, the various tasks to maintain your vehicle can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, these tasks are all essential to ensure your car, truck, or SUV is running in the most efficient and safest manner possible. The muffler is one part of the vehicle that many people forget requires maintenance. This guide will help you understand the importance of the muffler and if it is time to repair or replace it.
Muffler 101
First and foremost, you need to understand the muffler is a key part of your vehicle's exhaust system. Its main job is to direct exhaust out of the vehicle, away from you and your passengers.
Without a muffler that is in good working condition, you will have an excess amount of hazardous exhaust in your vehicle, which can affect your health and wellness. In addition, a muffler that is in distress will make your exhaust system quite noisy, affecting your ability to drive safely.
Although it may sound insignificant, the muffler is imperative for your safety and the safe operation of your vehicle.
Signs of Distress
Most people know when it is time to replace tires or wiper blades, but knowing when it is time to replace the muffler can be a bit more difficult.
On average, mufflers have an average lifespan of around 40,000 to 80,000 miles. If your vehicle has reached this mileage timeframe, you may want to have the muffler evaluated by a professional. This mileage does not necessarily mean you need to replace your muffler, but if you are experiencing other signs of distress, it is time to consider a replacement.
Loud noise is also a surefire sign you need a new muffler. If the muffler is in distress and worn down, your car will run a lot louder than before. The engine may sound like it is running harder or you may notice a loud rattling and banging sound coming from the vehicle's underbody.
Consider inspecting the muffler visibly for signs of distress. Rusty residue may not be an indicator that it needs to be replaced, but if it begins to corrode, your muffler will develop holes that cannot be repaired. Small holes from corrosion are a sign it should be replaced.
If your vehicle is starting to overheat frequently and you are noticing one or more of the other signs, it is probably time to replace your muffler. Without a properly-working exhaust system, your vehicle will likely overheat. This overheating not only affects the muffler since it will affect the engine firstly, which can prevent the vehicle from running at all.
For more information, contact a company like Dugan Oil and Tire.
Share4 August 2018
When it comes to driving to stay safe, there isn't much standing between you and the outside world. I started thinking about my personal level of protection, and I realized that finding some better car parts might be able to help. After talking with several different auto parts businesses, I found a company that I was really impressed with. I wanted to start this blog to teach everyone about auto parts, so that they could make their own vehicle a little safer each and every single day. Read more about safety on this website so that you can find auto parts that you will love.
