An exhaust system leak is not something that you can afford to ignore, and certainly not for any length of time. It’s not just a stinky problem, it’s also something that affects how well your engine is able to function. Clark’s Professional Car Care has these tips to help you to understand when you’ve got an exhaust leak.
You Smell Exhaust Smoke While You’re Driving
It is never, ever good for your to actively smell exhaust smoke inside the passenger area of your car. If the doors are closed and the windows are up, you shouldn’t smell exhaust smells or gasoline at all. Any of these types of smells are not just bad news, they also mean that you should not drive the car until you know for sure what is going on.
The Car Engine Sounds Louder than Usual
One of the jobs your car’s exhaust system handles is to reduce engine noise. When there’s a leak somewhere in the exhaust system, you’re likely to hear a lot more engine noise than you’re used to hearing. It’s normal to think you’re just imagining something, especially if the engine noise is only a little bit different. But that’s an important sign that you shouldn’t really pretend is nothing.
You See More Exhaust Smoke than You Did Before
Seeing exhaust smoke is not typical with most cars unless it’s so cold that you’re able to see the difference between the temperature of the exhaust and the ambient air. So, when you see actual exhaust smoke, especially if there’s a lot of it, that can mean that there’s a problem somewhere in the exhaust system. This is something you don’t want to ignore.
The Gas Mileage Is Terrible
Gas mileage is one of the first signs of any sort of trouble in your car’s engine or other systems, including the exhaust system. But if you aren’t actively tracking gas mileage, you might not be completely aware of what’s happening with it. What you are more likely to notice is that you’re spending more money on gas, so if that starts to happen, it might be due to problems in the exhaust system.
Need some help diagnosing exhaust issues? Call Clark’s Professional Car Care in Pascagoula, MS right away. Our experienced auto technicians will be able to find whatever problems are affecting your car’s exhaust system and get them repaired for you as quickly as possible.
