| Many people tend to disregard the exhaust system | | | | noise generated would be tremendous. Thus, to |
| of an automobile. They may think that the exhaust | | | | minimize this noise, the exhaust system lets the |
| system does nothing more than to discharge the | | | | exhaust gases pass through metal plates and tubes |
| waste products of the combustion process. Although | | | | called the muffler. As the gas passes through the |
| this is exactly what the exhaust system does, the | | | | muffler, the noise is reduced. |
| way these waste product is discharged out of the | | | | The third function of the exhaust system is to clean |
| engine is essential to the performance of the engine. | | | | up the emissions that are harmful to the |
| A gasoline engine involves three processes: | | | | environment. When the engine burns fuel, it produces |
| combustion, mechanical drive and exhaust. If one of | | | | gases that pollute the air such as hydrocarbons, |
| these processes is impeded, the condition of the | | | | carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The exhaust |
| engine will depreciate. | | | | system, through the Catalytic Converter, cleans up |
| The exhaust system has three major functions, the | | | | the exhaust gases by breaking down the harmful gas |
| first of which is to channel out the waste products | | | | compounds. Chemicals in the catalytic converter act |
| of combustion out of the engine to allow it to | | | | as catalysts, changing the highly hazardous gas |
| continue to burn fuel unhindered thereby ensuring | | | | compounds to less harmful ones. |
| that the engine runs smoothly. An efficient exhaust | | | | Because air pollution is a major environmental problem |
| system allows the waste gas and compound to | | | | that affects us all, catalytic converters are a |
| escape quickly out of the system. If these waste | | | | necessity. In fact, it is illegal in most states not to |
| products do not escape from the engine immediately, | | | | have a catalytic converter. Replacing defective |
| they may choke up the engine thus causing it to | | | | catalytic converters is not only an ethical necessity |
| break down. | | | | but also a legal requirement. If ever your car needs a |
| Another function of the exhaust system is to reduce | | | | new catalytic converter, you should purchase a new |
| the noise generated by the engine. Noise is one of | | | | one and have it replaced as soon as possible. A |
| the "wastes" produced by the engine. The exhaust | | | | catalytic converter is essential for the better |
| gases leave the engine at extremely high pressure. If | | | | performance of any exhaust system. |
| these gases escaped directly out of the engine, the | | | | |