A car’s exhaust system is integral to both performance and fuel economy. Often, an exhaust could have leaks or other problems that impact performance and you won’t even know it.
Cottman of Beaverton owner, Mitch Vicino, recommends getting your exhaust system checked out whenever you visit a Beaverton auto repair shop. He suggests a thorough vehicle inspection once a year.
Today’s exhaust systems are much more complex and play a crucial role in protecting your car, safety and the environment. The catalytic converter is one component of the exhaust system that converts harmful gasses into safer, more environmentally friendly emissions.
Vicino says in past decades the exhaust was simply a part used to combust exhausted gas from an engine’s cylinders. Today, it is tied to nearly every aspect of the car as automakers work to meet an increasing demand for low emission, fuel efficient cars.
Small problems with your exhaust may go unnoticed, but as things get worse, there are a few symptoms to be on the lookout for. Vicino says louder-than-normal sounds from your muffler or a popping noise are both signs you need to have your exhaust checked out by a Beaverton auto repair shop.
Popping is a sign there is a leak in the exhaust manifold and you are actually hearing the explosions within your engine and the cylinders. A larger hole in the exhaust system will cause an engine roar, making your car run a lot louder and much less efficiently.
Vicino says it is important to get exhaust leaks checked out at a Beaverton auto repair shop because of the possible health implications as well. Exhaust produces high levels of carbon monoxide and a leak that makes its way into the cabin could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly.
“Getting the exhaust inspected in not something that’s normally on someone’s list,” Vicino says. “Follow your car manufacturer’s recommended guidelines and try to have a thorough vehicle inspection once a year. We’ll look at more than just your exhaust.”
A Beaverton auto repair shop should have the equipment and experience to properly inspect, diagnose and fix any problem with your vehicle. Vicino opened his shop in 1998 and his technicians can perform a wide array of repairs and services, from a transmission rebuild to brakes, tune-ups, timing belts, water pumps and anything else that might go wrong.