Unless you’re a mechanically-minded person, you might not realise when your exhaust and other parts of your car are failing. Fortunately, there are numerous things that you can watch out for. Even if you don’t have the skills to fix them yourself, being aware of these signs that your muffler or exhaust is failing will allow you to get it fixed before it costs a fortune.

Although you might not realise it, a damaged muffler or exhaust system can result in significantly higher levels of pollutants being released into the atmosphere. This is harmful to both the local environment and the planet as a whole.

Because of this, we decided to put this short article together with the help of experts, Exhausts Perth. Below we’ve outlined a few tell-tale signs that your exhaust system could be failing, along with what you should do if you notice them.

  1. Excessive Exhaust Noise

One of the most common signs of a failing exhaust system or muffler is excessive noise. This could start gradually at first and build up over time, but a noisy exhaust basically means a compromised exhaust.

There are a number of problems that could be occurring. For one, your muffler could be failing. Or, your exhaust pipes might have a hole or crack somewhere before the muffler, which will make it sound like your engine is noisier than it should be.

  1. Decreasing Fuel Efficiency

Another sure sign of a failing exhaust system is a decrease in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. When your exhaust isn’t working properly, your engine can become less efficient and burn hotter. Because of this, it will burn more fuel, which you should notice if you pay attention to your general mileage.

This additional fuel burn will result in higher than normal exhaust emissions. If you care about the environment at all, you need to fix your exhaust and reduce the amount of fuel you’re burning.

  1. Decreased Power

Along with decreased fuel efficiency, a compromised exhaust system can also lead to decreased power and poor acceleration. There are plenty of other problems that can decrease your vehicle’s power, but a damaged exhaust is one of the most common.

  1. The Smell of Exhaust Fumes

Another sure sign that there could be a problem with your exhaust is the smell of engine fumes inside your vehicle. This can be both unpleasant and dangerous – there is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – which means that it should be addressed immediately.

On top of this, a broken exhaust can mean that toxic gases which would otherwise be filtered out are released into the surrounding environment. As you can imagine, this is far from ideal.

What Should I Do If I Notice Any of The Above Signs?

If you notice any of the above signs, you really need to get your exhaust checked out to see if there’s any problems that need addressing. Ultimately, the sooner you catch a problem, the more affordable it’s going to be to get it fixed.

For example, if you catch a small hole in your exhaust immediately, it can usually be fixed for less than $100. In many cases, a small section will need to be replaced or patched. However, the longer you leave it, the worse the problem will get. Eventually, your entire exhaust will need replacing, which will cost significantly more.

Ultimately, we always recommend taking your vehicle around to your local exhaust system specialist and getting them to check it out if you notice any strange noises, smells or decreases in performance. Really, this is the best thing to do, because it will help prevent environmentally harmful pollutants being released and will ultimately save you money in the long run!