Your car's exhaust system is crucial to your car's performance, affecting safety, pollution, and comfort. While the main purposes of the exhaust system are to condition and remove exhaust gases from the car and to reduce engine noise, several aspects of the system are designed specifically for their effect on the engine's performance.

Backpressure helps regulate the temperature of the engine's cylinders, making it run smoother. Too much backpressure, though, can cause the engine to lose power, stall, or even stop running.

A turbocharger adds power by improving the air intake into the cylinders. Conventional intake designs merely draw air into the cylinders; a turbocharged engine forces air at higher pressure into the cylinder, producing a more powerful combustion and increasing engine performance.

The Components of Your Exhaust System

Your exhaust system runs almost the entire length of your vehicle. And in the process of moving exhaust away from the engine and passenger cabin, it analyzes the gases, refines them into water vapor and less-harmful gases, and directs them through dampers to reduce noise. Below, you'll find each component of the system with a brief description of the job it does.

Exhaust Pipe - Routes exhaust gases from the front of the vehicle to the back.

Oxygen Sensor - Analyzes the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases and sends the information to the engine control computer for adjustments to the air/fuel mixture.

Catalytic Converter - Removes carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and unburned fuel from exhaust gases. Required by law to help cars meet Federal emission guidelines.

Resonator - Works like a smaller muffler to further reduce noise.

Muffler - Directs exhaust gases through a series of tubes, baffles, and chambers to reduce noise while providing back pressure, which helps the engine run smoother.

Tailpipe - Disperses water vapor and less-harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Brackets and Clamps - Used to attach emission-system components to the bottom of your car.

Inspecting Your Exhaust System

Your emission system does all of its important work while hanging precariously from the bottom of your vehicle. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of abuse down there. So to keep your car running smoothly, quietly, and efficiently, you should have everything checked out at least once a year.

Exhaust Manifolds and Gaskets - Cracks or small holes could cause exhaust leaks, affecting both safety and performance.

Oxygen Sensors - Cracks, damaged wires, or blocked intakes could cause incorrect fuel/air mixture adjustments and poor fuel economy.

Catalytic Converters - Overheating (as shown by discoloration), dents, clogs, or corrosion could cause air pollution, excessive noise and a rough idle.

Resonators and Mufflers - Excessive rust or holes could cause air pollution, excessive noise and a rough idle.

Pipes, Hangers, Clamps, and Brackets - Excessive rust or broken bolts could cause parts to hang dangerously low, resulting in a hazard for the people driving behind you.

The Emission System

The purpose of the emission system is to control the emissions and exhaust from your vehicle. This system substantially reduces harmful gases and helps maintain quiet operation. The emission system contains a series of integrated components including the catalytic converter, PCV valve, EGR valve, evaporative controls, and the air injection system.