Like the name suggests, car mufflers have the job of “muffling” the sounds of your vehicle’s exhaust system. They also have an impact on your engine’s performance.
Just about every car owner has heard of a muffler, but not everyone knows what their purpose is or how they work.
Turns out, mufflers have a significant effect on how efficiently your engine runs and protect you from toxic exhaust fumes that could otherwise enter your car’s cabin. Oh, and going without one is illegal.
If you’re ready to find out what your muffler does once and for all, you’ve come to the right place.
Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance broker app
, is here to give you the rundown on just that—plus some tips on how you can save on your car insurance
costs. What does a car muffler do?
The muffler is an essential component of your car’s exhaust system. Located at the rear of your vehicle, it’s one of the last places that exhaust gasses will pass through before exiting your tailpipe.
Mufflers serve a couple of additional purposes. As the name suggests, mufflers “muffle” the sounds that come from your exhaust system, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable, quiet ride.
Additionally, they also help improve your vehicle’s performance by helping exhaust gasses to exit your vehicle efficiently.
Is a muffler necessary?
It’s actually illegal to drive without a muffler, so yes, it’s necessary for your vehicle to have one. Plus, it’s not just about legality or convenience—a non-functioning muffler can come with serious risks.
Exhaust fumes are toxic, and when a muffler develops a leak, the fumes could make their way into the cabin, putting you and other passengers at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If the problem with your muffler is severe enough, the noises from your exhaust system (which aren’t being dampened) could also give you hearing damage.
Depending on what state you live in, a missing or damaged muffler could also get in the way of you passing an emissions test and being able to register your vehicle. And when your broken muffler inhibits the way your exhaust system functions, your engine will be forced to work harder, which means you’ll be releasing more harmful gasses into the environment.
How does a muffler work?
The two major ways a muffler impacts your vehicle are its noise reduction properties and the effect it has on your vehicle’s overall performance. Here’s a rundown of how it works in both these areas.
How a muffler quiets exhaust sounds
Exhaust gasses enter the exhaust system under high pressure, which, as it turns out, is a pretty noisy process.
But your vehicle’s muffler is designed to combat this. Mufflers are designed with strategically-placed perforations that affect the movement of sound waves. As the sound waves bounce around, the acoustics of the muffler’s inner chambers help dampen the vibrations that come from pressure waves created by the exhaust system, reducing the amount of noise it makes.
Once those sound waves make their way into the muffler’s resonator chamber, the muffler combats those high-pressure sound waves with opposite sound waves to neutralize them.
In short, some of the exhaust sounds are absorbed by the muffler, and others are canceled out by opposite sound waves.
How a muffler improves performance
A well-functioning muffler won’t give you more power than your car’s engine is capable of on its own, but it will help it run more efficiently so it can live up to its performance potential.
The faster your engine can rid itself of exhaust gasses, the more air it can take in, which in turn gives it more power. So the faster exhaust can pass through the muffler, the better your engine can perform.
When do mufflers need to be replaced?
There’s not exactly an across-the-board replacement interval for car mufflers. Some automotive experts will tell you they can last anywhere from five to ten years, while others might last the life of your vehicle (unless they develop a problem that requires a replacement).
Car mufflers often end up needing to be replaced prematurely due to corrosion after prolonged exposure to road salt and other debris. Washing your car regularly (including during winter) can help protect your undercarriage from corrosion and extend your muffler’s lifespan.
Mufflers on vehicles with low ground clearance can also be susceptible to damage when passing over potholes or speed bumps.
Watch out for these signs that might mean it’s time to replace your car’s muffler:
Visible corrosion, punctures, or other damage
Broken hangers that result in a low-hanging muffler
Rattling noises coming from the muffler
Condensation in exhaust pipes
Engine stalling or starting problems, which could point to a clogged muffler
Excessive noise from the muffler or engine
It’s especially important to fix a muffler clog promptly, because the back-pressure could push fumes back into the vehicle’s engine when the exhaust valves open and cause damage if left unaddressed.
If you’re unsure whether you have a muffler problem on your hands, you can have a certified mechanic at the car repair shop of your choice inspect its condition.
How much does it cost to replace a car muffler?
Your vehicle make and model year will affect how much a compatible replacement muffler will cost for your vehicle.
Generally, replacing a car muffler can cost $700 to $900 for the muffler itself plus $70 to $90 for labor costs. Keep in mind that labor costs can vary considerably depending on your location.
Does car insurance cover muffler repair?
Whether car insurance covers muffler repair depends on the cause of your muffler’s problem and what kind of coverage you have.
Generally, auto repairs wouldn’t commonly be covered if the reason is due to general wear and tear, including for mufflers. However, if your muffler was damaged after a collision, or if it was stolen or vandalized, comprehensive
and collision coverage
could help you cover repair or replacement costs if you have them on your policy. If your muffler repair is covered, how much assistance you’ll see will also depend on your policy’s deductible.
When picking out a car insurance policy, it’s essential to read the fine print carefully before signing on so you can understand what is and isn’t covered when the unexpected occurs.
How to cut out the noise and save on car insurance costs
If that last point has you thinking about coverage gaps in your own car insurance policy, we’ve got a quick and easy solution to help you find better coverage—it’s called the Jerry app.
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And while there can be a lot of noise out there when you’re seeking out insurance quotes, the ones you’ll find with Jerry are picked with your coverage needs in mind.
Once you’ve found the right policy for you at the right rate, Jerry’s experienced team of agents can help you make the transition to your new policy a breeze.
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