Taking Care Of The Exhaust System Under Your Car
Posted on: 29 November 2022
Auto service and maintenance often focus on things like oil changes and tire rotations, but there are things you can do to take care of the parts under your car. Muffler maintenance is not something a lot of people consider, but there are some things you can do to extend the life of the muffler and exhaust system on your vehicle.
Muffler Maintenance And Care
The exhaust system and muffler spend their entire life under the car or truck, exposed to the weather, road salt, small rocks, and debris on the road surface. Damage to the muffler is not uncommon, and in the winter, it can pick up large amounts of salt that will eventually cause corrosion to the muffler and exhaust.
Muffler maintenance is not hard, but if you want to get the most out of the system that is one of the most exposed parts of the car, you need to take some steps to head off problems. Start with an exhaust inspection to determine the overall condition of the system, then you can address repairs as they arise.
A muffler repair shop can look over the system for you, or you can take it to your local mechanic to check. Once the inspection is complete, you will have a better idea of what needs repairs and what is still in good shape.
Muffler maintenance should include checking the condition of the parts, all the clamps, and connectors to ensure they are secure and replacing any broken exhaust hangers.
Keep It Clean
One thing you can do to help your exhaust system last is to wash it. When you take your car to the car wash, have them add an under-chassis wash for you. The water will spray the vehicle's underside, including the exhaust system, and remove salt and other material.
The under-chassis wash is the best way to get salt, mud, and sand off the exhaust in the winter and remove anything that could hold water, causing corrosion under the vehicle. You can spray off the car's underside at home if you have a place to do it and a pressure washer to knock the debris and dirt off the system.
Once the system is clean, let the vehicle run for a few minutes to dry the exhaust pipes and muffler. While there is more muffler maintenance to do, keeping the system clean is an excellent place to start and can have a very real impact on the condition of the exhaust system.
For more info about muffler maintenance, contact a local company.
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