It’s not a surprise that you always want your car to be in good shape. You need your tires to be inflated, your battery to be charged, your AC to be functional, etc. But when you think about your vehicle firing on all cylinders, nothing may be as important as a properly functioning exhaust system.
A vehicle’s exhaust is responsible for smoothly running, converting harmful gasses, and minimizing noise. It consists of the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, resonator and muffler, and exhaust pipes. When all of these are functioning properly, the benefits to your vehicle are unmatched. And we’re going to explore why in this article.
How Exactly the Exhaust System Works
Let’s briefly review how the exhaust system works. The exhaust system process starts in the engine. The engine undergoes internal combustion, gathering air, mixing it with fuel, and igniting the fuel and air mixture. Combustion produces waste products, like gasses and carbon particles. The exhaust system filters the waste and safely allows it to exit underneath and out the back of the vehicle. As mentioned, that entire process helps the vehicle run, emit safer fumes, and reduce the noise (primarily with the muffler).
What Are the Benefits of a Good Exhaust System?
Like most vehicle owners, you probably understand why it’s crucial to have properly inflated tires and working headlights. The exhaust system, however, is a little more complex and unknown to most drivers. So, below are the biggest benefits that come with a properly functioning exhaust system.
Increased Power
The exhaust system directly contributes to your vehicle’s power. The quicker and more efficiently the exhaust can’t get rid of spent, wasteful gasses, the more power it can emit. Yet, your vehicle when it comes off the lot from the manufacturer isn’t designed to produce the most power. That only comes with a customized, aftermarket exhaust.
Two popular options for custom exhaust that increase power are a cat-back exhaust system and high-flow catalytic converter. The increase in diameter for exhaust pipes directly correlates to horsepower; however, there is a size that will plateau the results. So, do your research for your make and model or consult with your local mechanic.
Better Fuel Economy
What goes hand in hand with increased power is a better fuel economy. This, however, depends on finding the right balance between an increased pipe size. The engine burns more fuel to equal the power output, so you need to trust a professional mechanic to find the equilibrium for you. A custom exhaust typically consists of alterations on the muffler, downpipe, and catalytic converter. Your vehicle will have better performance with virtually any aftermarket exhaust upgrade.
Better Sound
A functioning exhaust also contributes to better sound. The factory-made exhaust’s secondary purpose is to reduce the sound your vehicle makes. Yet, aftermarket alterations play a significant role here. You can add an exhaust cutout, remove the muffler, or add exhaust tips. If your exhaust isn’t working well, you will notice audible problems.
Great Look
Lastly (but not least), a well functioning exhaust improves your vehicle’s look. You don’t get to see every element of the exhaust system, but the parts you can see are important. For example, a dual exhaust system (which also improves performance) can be a great aesthetic choice for any vehicle owner.
You Can Customize Your Exhaust
As mentioned, you can make your exhaust even more properly functioning by customizing it. A custom exhaust has several benefits; many of which are an improvement on the tenets above. By tweaking and constantly improving your exhaust system, you also improve its lifespan.
Contact Us for a Free Automotive Quote
Don’t let your exhaust system lag in functionality. Contact Performance Muffler for a free quote. We’ve been a top custom exhaust shop in the Phoenix area since 2007. Customers come back to our team time and time again for our passion, attention-to-detail, and customer service. Browse our website to learn more or read our blog for additional automotive tips and insight.