Look after your Exhaust System to Ensure Peak Engine Performance

A Car is made up of many different parts and systems that work together to make it run efficiently. The exhaust system is integral to a car's performance and efficiency, but is often neglected.

You are probably one of the many that think this system only takes care of channelling out the gaseous waste from the engine. While this is true, however, bear in mind that the way it does this is crucial to your driving satisfaction.

What difference does a healthy exhaust system make to the efficient running of your vehicle?

First off, let's take a brief review of the Exhaust system and then let's identify its major components: exhaust manifold, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, muffler and exhaust pipe and their respective functions.

The exhuast system is designed to safely channel away waste gases produced in the combustion chambers of the engine, like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, the unburned hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, lead and other metals.

These gases that I have mentioned are very harmful to the environment and to humans also. For this reason the exhaust system also must do the job of cleaning the gases as it carries them out. A damaged or corroded system can seriously affect this function, so you must have it inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic.

The Emission control system and dual exhaust system are the two main types of exhaust system.

Dual Exhaust System

Dual exhaust system has two tailpipes, which allows the engine to exhaust more freely, thereby lowering the back pressure which is inherent in an exhaust system. With a dual exhaust system, a sizable increase in engine horsepower can be obtained because the "breathing" capacity of the engine is improved, leaving less exhaust gases in the engine at the end of each exhaust stroke. This, in turn, leaves more room for an extra intake of the air-fuel mixture.

An Emmision Control System

The purpose of the emission control system is just that; it controls the emissions and exhaust from your vehicle. Some emission control exhaust systems are designed to prevent the formation of pollutants in the engine itself while the other type of emission control exhaust systems turn the harmful gases into harmless ones through the use of a catalytic converter.

Parts of an Exhaust System

1. The Manifold - this component attaches the exhaust system to the engine at the comustion chambers and is usually made of cast iron.

2. The Catalytic Converter - This component has the job of turning the harmful gases in safe ones like water vapour and carbon dioxide.

3. Muffler - this part helps in reducing noise in the exhausts system. Some mufflers are made of fiberglass to absorb the sound energy as the gases flow through it.

4. The Exhaust pipe - This component is made of steel and channels the gases all the way down to the tail pipes.

Have your exhaust system checked every time that you have a car service. If there are any damaged parts, get them replaced immediately as they can have a serious effect on performance and safety.

About The Author:

This author has collected together many more car articles on subjects like making your car more fuel efficient. He has also written a selection of motoring articles that can be found at OldboyArticles.com.

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