How to Maintain a Car’s Muffler

How can you maintain a car’s muffler?

1. Keep the inside of the muffler clean
2. Make sure your engine is running properly
3. Avoid uneven roads and rough driving

So it’s vital to know how to maintain your car muffler. The car muffler is the part used for reducing the noise emitted by the exhaust of the internal combustion engine. Car mufflers are one of the most commonly replaced car parts because the exposure to the elements, bad roads, bad driving, as well as poor maintenance all add up to damaging it badly to the point that it needs to be replaced. But if you can maintain your car’s muffler, it can function better for longer. 

What’s The Problem With Having A Damaged Muffler? 

You might be one of the few people who aren’t bothered by the noise that a bad muffler makes. You might not think about what your neighbor thinks about your noisy muffler when they hear your car coming from as far as the next town. 

However, having a bad muffler isn’t just a matter of silencing the noise emanating from your engine. Having a bad muffler causes what’s called excessive exhaust back pressure. What’s back pressure? The engine needs to put out gasses and fumes that result from all the internal combustion. These gasses and fumes need to go out without resistance. 

A malfunctioning exhaust system, specifically because of a beaten muffler, causes back pressure which increases fuel consumption and makes your engine perform poorly and function inefficiently.

Continue reading on to learn how to maintain a car’s muffler. 

Keep the inside of the muffler clean

Over time, emissions from the engine cause a buildup of carbon which accumulates and becomes thicker and thicker eventually. Because of this, the muffler can start to cause a blockage which brings your engine one step closer to experiencing back pressure.

You might find that the inside of your muffler is already full of carbon buildup. An easy way to avoid carbon buildup is to put a hose into the exhaust pipe and let the water flow into the muffler. Then, turn the engine on. While on neutral, step on the gas. You will see all the black soot color the water to be black. Do this from time to time to control the carbon build-up. 

But in order to keep the inside of your muffler clean and prevent carbon buildup in the first place, one of the most important things to do is to maintain the engine.

Make sure your engine is running properly

What goes through the muffler goes through the engine first. If your engine is suffering, your entire exhaust system will suffer the consequence, including your car’s muffler. 

Carbon buildup and soot in the engine will be carried over to the muffler. So, getting rid of the carbon in the engine is the best solution. However, having the internal components of your engine such as intake valves cleaned of soot and carbon takes more effort and you might need a specialist to clean them. 

But by ensuring that your engine is running properly, you will ensure a longer life for your car’s muffler. So change your oil regularly, make sure that you regularly replace your radiator’s coolant, check the air filter, check for leaks, etc. in order to make sure that your engine is running properly.

Avoid uneven roads and rough driving

What goes on to your muffler on the outside is just as important as what happens to your muffler on the inside. 

When you drive your car, it’s taking in everything that the road has. All the dust, dirt, sand, and even tiny rocks that the wheels kick up into the undercarriage. That’s why it’s important, as much as possible, to avoid driving on uneven roads, potholes, rocky roads, mud, and even sidewalks and those yellow wheel-stops found in parking lots. 

Be careful when you park as your muffler might hit the curb. The muffler might get scratched, dented, or even punctured. 

Key Takeaway

In this article are just some of the ways how to maintain a car’s muffler. Following these tips can go a long way in prolonging the lifespan of your muffler. But when you need to have your car’s muffler replaced, you can get in touch with Roberts.   

At Roberts, you will find replacement mufflers and other car parts that you need. We offer high-quality OEM parts and more!