Keeping your exhaust system in good working condition is vital for fuel mileage, the environment and your safety. Your vehicle’s exhaust system carries away the gases created when the fuel and air are burned in the combustion chamber. These gases are harmful to humans and our environment. The main components of an exhaust system are:

• Exhaust Manifold
• Oxygen Sensor
• Catalytic Converter
• Muffler
• Exhaust Pipe

The worst enemy of your exhaust system is corrosion or rust. This is caused by moisture reacting with the steel components. Moisture or water vapor is present in the exhaust as a by-product of combustion and the catalytic converter. Moisture can also come from the outside in the form of water being splashed up from the road. Short trips in your vehicle can shorten the life of the exhaust system. On short trips the water never has a chance to get hot enough to turn back into water vapor and just stays in the system corroding the pipes. Salt from winter roads is very corrosive to the exhaust system also.

Notice a decrease in your gas mileage? Your oxygen sensor(s) could be failing. As time goes on the oxygen sensors begin to wear out and become less accurate. This results in a rich fuel mixture where your engine burns more fuel than is needed. Most sensors do not last longer than 60,000 miles. Catalytic Converters occasionally become clogged and need to be replaced. Their job is to convert harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to water vapor (hence the moisture corrosion issue) and carbon dioxide. Symptoms include loss of power, heat coming from the floor of your vehicle, glowing red converter or a sulfur smell.