Car Care Tips

The exhaust system & other muffler stuff
What is it? Your muffler is actually only one part of your exhaust system, which is responsible for removing toxic, burned gasoline fumes from your engine away from your car (and keeping things quiet, of course). You also have a series of pipes, a catalytic converter and a resonator, along with several other emission devices under there. Each one has a special function:
Exhaust manifold and heat riser
	This is the point where burned gases exit the engine. The heat riser (or heat control valve) closes during start-up to allow the engine to warm up on some vehicles.
How does it work?
	In a nutshell, by the time your exhaust leaves the engine, it’s cleaner and quieter. Mufflers dampen the sound using chambers, and a catalytic converter uses chemicals to convert bad gases into not-so-bad gases.
How could it go wrong?
	Rust is a common reason. Small holes and other road damage can also develop. Noise could be the least of your problems, if exhaust gas (containing deadly carbon monoxide) leaks and flows into the passenger compartment. We’re not trying to scare you, but it’s a possibility. Don’t procrastinate!
How do you recognize a problem?
	Sure, it’s easy to tell when a muffler goes bad (nasty glares, people holding their ears for dear life), but there are other not-so-obvious problems that can occur (pinholes, stuck valves, loose brackets, malfunction in the catalytic converter or other emission related devices).
Exhaust pipes
	These carry gases to other parts of the exhaust system.
Catalytic converter
	This converts harmful pollutants in the exhaust to harmless gases. A good converter should last at least 50,000 miles, and it’s required by law. Don’t mess with it.
Muffler
	This is what cuts down on the noise. If you’re reading this out loud while your car is running, and you can’t hear yourself, there’s a problem.
Resonator
	The resonator is another type of muffler that reduces noise even more.
Tail pipe
	This is where exhaust leaves the rear of the car. Careful, it’s hot! (You may see water dripping. Don't worry this is normal.)
Brackets and hangers
	All the above components are suspended from the bottom of the car using brackets and hangers. These are usually flexible, so they bounce around a little with the movement of the car.
How does Tuffy make it right?
	Well, first of all, Tuffy will inspect your car - any time! So there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t come in for regular inspections.
	If something isn’t working right, Tuffy technicians will isolate the problem, show you the problem, educate you on what’s wrong and explain all of your options.
	Become energy conscious of your vehicle – Conserving your vehicle’s energy consumption is yet another critical practice in maximizing fuel economy. One prime example, the air conditioner, is one of the biggest drains on your vehicle’s engine and fuel economy. Using the air conditioner only when needed and not just as a simple fan can immediately help save you gasoline.