When Your Exhaust System Is Failing: Signs That It's Time To Get Your Car Serviced

Whether you have a hole in your muffler, or your catalytic converter is getting clogged, your car will give off signs when it's time to have your car serviced because of the exhaust system. You may notice a new odor when your car is running, or even smell exhaust coming into your car. While driving, you may notice signs that your engine is misfiring, or your car can suddenly stall while you are driving along the road. You'll hear a hole in your muffler when you are driving, but you will also have trouble picking up speed when your exhaust system isn't working properly. If your car is struggling to accelerate, or you notice new sounds or smells, it's time to bring it in for service.

When Your Catalytic Converter Needs to Be Replaced

The catalytic converter is responsible for taking harmful gases from your exhaust system and turning them into safer compounds that can be released into the environment. When your car fails an emissions test, this is usually due to problems with the catalytic converter. It is a part in your car that is between the engine and the muffler underneath your car. If it becomes clogged, or has melted because of misfiring, you'll need to have the catalytic converter replaced.

If There's a Hole in Your Muffler

You will probably know that you have a hole in your muffler just by the sound it makes as you drive down the street. If that doesn't warn you, the smell in your car is also a sign that you have a leak in your exhaust system. When your car has a hole in the exhaust system, it can't function properly. Your car won't get the air that it needs in order to run efficiently. This can cause your car to stall out while idling or make it hard for you to accelerate while you are driving down the highway. The hole can be in your muffler, which can be patched or replaced, or anywhere within your exhaust system pipes. If your car is older and you think the exhaust system is rusting out, you may need to replace the whole system in the near future.

When you notice any signs, smells, or noises coming from your car, it's important to have these things checked out by a mechanic, like Oak Hollow Tire Car Care Center Inc. While your car may still drive, this doesn't mean the problem is going to go away.

Share