Your car’s exhaust has a big job, so when it starts to fail, that’s a problem that can have massive impacts everywhere, including the engine. Here’s what Erik’s Automotive recommends you look out for as a sign of trouble with your exhaust system.
Bad Gas Mileage
Gas mileage tells you so much about your car’s performance. Along with other clues, bad gas mileage could be letting you know that there’s something amiss in your car’s exhaust system. That’s because the exhaust system works with your engine to keep the combustion chamber clear and ready to go every time there’s another round of fuel combusting. If the exhaust system isn’t keeping up, engine performance suffers and your gas mileage goes bust.
Smelly Exhaust Fumes
Exhaust fumes typically stay outside the car and unless the car is running in an enclosed space, you really shouldn’t smell them much. If you’re noticing changes to your car’s exhaust fumes, that’s a sign of possible trouble. Also, if you smell exhaust fumes inside the passenger area, you may want to avoid driving until you get the exhaust system checked out thoroughly.
The Engine Sounds Louder
Another big job of the exhaust system is to muffle the sounds that come from the engine. So, if you’re noticing that your car’s engine sounds a lot louder, it might be due to problems with the exhaust system. The most common reason you’re hearing more engine noise is likely due to the muffler having a leak, but leaks anywhere in the exhaust system can cause fumes and noise to increase.
The Check Engine Light Is Lit Up
Any time that you see the check engine light, it’s important. One of the reasons you might see this warning light could be due to exhaust system issues. If the problem is a bigger one or you’ve been having some of these other issues for a while and haven’t gotten them fixed, the check engine light is your car’s way of upping the ante a bit to get your attention before real engine damage kicks in.
Noticing any of these issues in your car? Call Erik’s Automotive in San Antonio, TX today. We’ll take a closer look via diagnostic tools that help us to find even the smallest issues and let you know exactly what’s going on with your car’s exhaust. From there, we’ll help you to put the right repairs in place the first time.