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Your exhaust system is more than a
muffler, it is a series of pipes that run
under your car, connected with your muffler
and your catalytic converter. The main
function of your exhaust system is to
control noise and to funnel exhaust fumes
away from passengers.
In some ways, a car's exhaust system
works like a chimney on your house,
directing the byproducts from burning fuel
away from the people inside. A car's exhaust
system routes waste gases from the engine to
the rear of the car, where they are
discharged into the atmosphere. Exhaust
gases contain dangerous substances such as
carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous if
allowed to flow into the passenger housing
of the car.
The exhaust system also converts
pollutants into less harmful byproducts,
reduces the noise of the engine, and directs
exhaust gases so they can be used to heat
air and fuel before they go into the
engine's cylinders to be burned. Finally,
the exhaust system provides just the right
amount of backpressure into the engine to
improve its fuel-burning efficiency and
increase performance. Key components of your
exhaust system include:
Exhaust pipes:
Designed specifically for each car model
to properly route exhaust to the back of the
car
Exhaust manifold:
(Some engines have two), acts like a
funnel, collecting exhaust gases from all
cylinders and releasing it through a single
opening.
Catalytic converter:
Designed to reduce the amount of harmful
emissions products by transforming
pollutants into water vapor and less harmful
gases.
Muffler:
A metal container with holes, baffles and
chambers that muffles exhaust noise.
Resonator:
which works with the muffler to reduce
noise.
Tail pipe:
(Found at the back of the car), is
designed to carry exhaust gases away from
the vehicle.
All components of the exhaust system are
connected with a series of clamps, hangers,
flanges and gaskets.
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