Owning
a vehicle adds a lot of convenience to your life. However, it also
adds a lot of responsibility. In order to keep your vehicle running
efficiently, you have to take care of it through regular maintenance.
You should also be aware of the warning signs of common problems with
your vehicle. That way, you can get them fixed before they have a
chance to grow serious.
This
is especially true with muffler issues, which can sneak up on you if
you're not careful. Know the indicators that you may need a new
muffler, or at least some maintenance. From there, keep an eye out
for these issues and report any problems to your mechanic as soon as
possible.
Constant,
Loud Operation
A
muffler that is in good working order will not make a lot of noise
when it operates. Yes, you may hear a slight whirring sound, but
that's really about it.
If
your muffler suddenly starts operating loudly, and you can hear it
roaring away constantly, this is a good indicator that something is
wrong.
Be
especially wary of rattling or shaking sounds, which could indicate
that a part or piece of your muffler has become loose or broken.
While all muffler issues should be addressed immediately, this
problem, especially, will require fast care.
High
Temperatures
If
you suspect that something might be wrong with your muffler, a
temperature test can often be an easy way to find out.
Turn
your vehicle on and allow it to run normally for a few minutes.
Afterwards, check the temperature on your vehicle. If it's higher
than normal operating temperature, you may indeed have a muffler
problem on your hands. Certain issues with mufflers can sometimes
lead to overheating.
However,
overheating has other causes as well, so don't rely on this test
alone to diagnose a problem. Instead, take the overheating as a sure
sign that you should visit your mechanic.
Excessive
Exhaust Fumes
Just
as your ears can clue you in to a problem with your muffler, your
nose can be of help to you as well.
When
mufflers are not operating correctly, they often give off a very
strong scent of exhaust. These exhaust fumes may smell chemical in
nature. Sometimes, they might even be irritating, causing you to
sniffle, sneeze, or develop a running nose.
All
that exhaust exposure is not just irritating for you, but it can also
signal a major problem with your muffler, one that could affect the
rest of your system if you don't address it promptly.
Excessive
Gas Usage
Keep
careful track of how often you head to the gas pump. If you find that
your number of trips suddenly spikes, then your exhaust system, which
includes your muffler, might be out of whack.
Before
the problem has a chance to get more serious — and before you spend
way more in gas than you have to — take your car in for a check-up.
Leaking
Water
Often,
a close-up inspection of your muffler can tell you what you need to
know about its overall condition.
One
big thing to look for is water dripping off of the muffler. In fact,
you might even notice pooling water near your muffler just in your
day to day driving routine.
Don't
panic over a little condensation, but do take notice of a full-on
leak and get it checked out.
As
you can see, your muffler will often give you major clues that
something isn't right. If you think that you might have an issue,
don't panic. Instead, take your car to the experts at Dualtone to
figure out what's going on.
