How Car Exhaust System Works
Cars

A Beginner’s Guide on How Car Exhaust System Works

The exhaust system is one of the most important parts of your car. That being said, it is vital that you know how the car exhaust system works. It is not complicated, after all, as you will learn in the rest of this post. To have an understanding of its functions, you need to learn its different parts and the individual roles that they play.

Before we get started with the discussions, it will help to watch the short video below to give you a glimpse of your car’s exhaust system.


Functions of an Exhaust System

To begin with, let me tackle the functions of the exhaust system. It has several components, all of which should work together to push the gases from the combustion to the back of the car. If it is not working at its peak, it will result in the reduced efficiency of the entire engine.

To be more specific, an exhaust system has four main functions: minimize noise, keep out exhaust fumes from passengers, improve fuel efficiency, and improve the overall performance of the engine.


How Car Exhaust System Works

First, you should know that there are six gases that are produced as emissions by your exhaust. Out of these six, three are toxic – nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Your exhaust system is significant as it will channel these fumes away.

In the next section, I will discuss the main parts of the exhaust system so you can understand their individual functions and how the whole system works.

Car Exhaust System

Via: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2006_Car_Exhaust_Pipe.JPG

  • Exhaust Manifold: This part of the exhaust system is usually made of cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. Its main function is the air intake. From here, it carries the emissions to the next part, which is the catalytic converter. These exhaust gases are transported through a connecting pipe.
  • Catalytic Converter: A small metal chamber, this part of the exhaust system has the function of receiving the exhaust gases and altering their composition for the reduction of emission. This is also where you can find the oxygen sensor. As the name implies, it detects the level of oxygen, sends information to the computer of your car, and helps in the improvement of fuel efficiency.
  • Resonator: After being processed in the catalytic converter, the gases will then proceed to the resonator. It is located in the center section of the exhaust. In the case of some models, the exhaust system can have more than one resonator. Before entering the resonator, the gases are already less toxic. However, they still have sound waves produced by the engine. The resonator helps in the reduction of this noise.
  • Muffler: A resonator is often confused with a muffler, but the two are actually different parts of the exhaust system. Many would call the resonator the pre-muffler. It further reduces the noise coming out of the resonator, making it quiet as it gets out of the exhaust of your car. It can be easily prone to rust and external damage, so make sure to have it replaced as necessary to maintain the peak condition of the exhaust system of your car.
  • Tail Pipe: Connected to the muffler, this is the last part of the exhaust system. It is commonly made of steel tubing or stainless steel. Most importantly, it ensures the reduction of harmful pollutants coming out of the exhaust system.

Improving your Exhaust System

It is important to know that there are certain upgrades that you can make to improve the functions of the exhaust system. There are parts that you can change if you are unhappy with the current setup. If you notice that the noise is still too loud and if tests prove that there are still significant emissions, it is an indication that you have to consider upgrading.

One of the instances wherein it is necessary to upgrade the exhaust system is when you change the engine. The reason for this is that when your engine becomes bigger, the amount of exhaust that it creates also becomes bigger. This makes it necessary to upgrade the diameter of the exhaust so that it can improve flow and reduce restrictions.

While the diameter of the pipe is an important consideration for the upgrade, keep in mind that bigger is not always better. With this, it is important first to consider the requirements of the system to determine the right size of the piping to be used for your exhaust.

Improving your Exhaust System

Via: https://www.powervalve.co.uk/


Making the most out of the Exhaust System

For the exhaust system to work at its best all the time, there are some important considerations. For instance, one of the most important is the right choice of the materials for the different parts. Mild steel is the most common for the factory-installed exhaust system, but they can be easily prone to wear and tear. The best materials, however, are stainless steel and aluminized steel.

There are also some instances wherein you can replace the exhaust manifold with an exhaust header. It comes with individual pipes in each exhaust port. Their bends are smoother and their curves are larger. The result of the design is that the air will flow faster, and the performance of the engine will improve significantly.

You might also want to consider having a free-flowing exhaust system. According to experts, this will be instrumental in the improvement of horsepower by up to 10. In the same way, having a test piping is also considered as one of the best ways to make the exhaust system more effective in delivering its functions.


Conclusion

At this point, I hope that you already know how the car exhaust system works. It is composed of several parts and they work together for the reduction of noise and emissions. It is essential to make sure that your car reduces its negative impacts on the environment.

Did you enjoy reading this post? Is there anything else that you would like to add? Do not hesitate to leave a comment below.