The Importance of Your Exhaust System
Your vehicle’s exhaust system is an important part and should be checked at least once a year. When winter comes, you have to be careful of damages to your exhaust system from icy road conditions. If something in the road causes damage, you will need to get a muffler and exhaust repair quickly to avoid any dangerous effects from harmful gases getting inside your car.
Related Article: How Does Your Car Exhaust System Work?
Damage to the Exhaust and Muffler
Winter Conditions Can Cause Damage
The exhaust system and muffler are typically mounted on the bottom rear of most vehicles. At any time, especially during winter driving conditions, these can be damaged by potholes, large bumps, as well as debris in the road such as ice chunks. Driving on frequent short trips is the worst thing you can do for your exhaust system in the cold weather.
Related Article: How to Winterize Your Car Exhaust System
Brrr…It’s Cold Outside….Your Car is Cold Too
When it is cold outside, the first 20 minutes of your drive are hardest on your car while it is warming up. When it’s wet out from snow, if your car doesn’t have time to warm up enough, the collected water vapor can’t burn off. The salt that is sprayed on roads can also gather, along with the water underneath your car. Once your car sits turned off, these will corrode the exposed parts, causing your system harm and any moisture inside the muffler will rust. When the weather is nice, wash your car to get rid of all the salt and road grime.
Water + Exhaust System = Bad News
Water inside your exhaust system will combine with sulfur from the exhaust, creating corrosive acids that damage the metal of each part. It may be difficult to detect an exhaust leak that can develop in several parts of your system, including the muffler where holes can develop, pipes that may become cracked, or hangars that can be broken, all leading to required repairs.
Muffler and Exhaust Repair
Any sort of exhaust noise coming from your vehicle can mean a serious problem is beginning. Sometimes you may not hear anything, but you could still have a leak, so it is important to inspect your exhaust system often. Any of these noises coming from your car means that you may have damage or a leak, which needs to be fixed before it gets too big.
Exhaust System Noises to Watch For
Some of the noises to pay attention to include:
- Rattling
- Hissing
- Metallic vibrations
- A steady roar
Other Warning Signs
Another thing to watch for is colored smoke coming from the vehicle’s tailpipe. If any of these present themselves, it is time for a repair. Depending on what the issue is, you may need to repair the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, EGR valves/sensors, exhaust pipes, manifold, resonator, tailpipes, and muffler.
Exhaust Systems Dangers
Don’t Risk Your Life with Deadly Fumes
Exhaust systems can be dangerous because exhaust contains carbon monoxide that could be deadly if it reaches the passenger area of your car. Carbon monoxide has no color or odor, making it difficult to detect and lethal. Any damages and even small exhaust leaks can cause these gases to flow into your car and impair your judgment while driving.
If you find yourself stuck in a blizzard, make sure the exhaust pipe stays clear from snow at all times. If the exhaust system gets plugged up, the carbon monoxide gas will flow into the vehicle. To stay safe, make sure you only run the engine if the snow is clear of the exhaust system and only in intervals of time. Also, roll your windows down periodically to clear the air of any harmful gases as much as possible.
Muffler & Exhaust System Repair at AAMCO Colorado
When you experience any symptoms of an exhaust system problem, come in today for a muffler and exhaust repair. Visit an AAMCO Denver or AAMCO Colorado Springs locations for a FREE Vehicle Courtesy Check now or Schedule an Appointment with us to make sure your exhaust system is safe to drive in the winter.
Can deep snow harm my muffler or catlaconverter I’m thinking the warm muffler was just burning off the wet snow from underneath cause the snow is high enough to touch my hot converter what u think
Tellice,
Snow or ice building up, or scraping your muffler could cause damage, you might find the information in this article helpful: Winterize Your Muffler Exhaust System.
However, we can not diagnose your car without taking a look at it, if you are in Colorado bring your car into one of our 14 locations for a FREE winter safety check.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I noticed a bit of a smell this morning when I turned my truck on.
I normally drive it every day but I haven’t used it much lately.
Nicole,
If you are experiencing new or unusual smells coming from your car, it is best to see a trusted mechanic. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Thank you for mentioning how you may be hearing exhaust noises coming from your car if the exhaust system has started to leak. My wife and I have noticed that our car makes rattling sounds whenever we drive it to work, and we would like to make sure that it will be safe enough for us to drive when we go on vacation next week. Maybe we should find a repair service that can take a look at our exhaust system for us.
Toby,
It is always suggested to make sure that your car is in good, safe, working order before any large trip. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers stop on by for a vehicle courtesy check.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado