The exhaust system comprises more than just an exhaust pipe. The muffler also forms the other part of it, and as its name insinuates, it is in place to 'muffle' the powerful sound of the exhaust system as a car's engine can be pretty noisy.
What is the function of a muffler?
The idea of the muffler in the system is to dampen the sound the engine makes. Engines need to generate a considerable amount of power, and, as a result, they create various pulsating sounds that reverberate through the exhaust pipe. Without a functioning muffler, your vehicle is going to be incredibly loud.
There are a handful of vehicles, including motorcycles, in every town that may be roaring around without mufflers on their exhausts. Whereas some people put off fixing a broken muffler, there are a handful of drivers who choose to go without one. Some people believe that removing the muffler gives the car more power and ultimately more speed, but this is not necessarily true. And some remove their mufflers just for aesthetic purposes.
Here are some negative side effects of having a damaged muffler or no muffler (at all):
Laws and Noise Pollution - There are laws against cars in suburban areas and cities with faulty or broken mufflers. In addition, loud and disruptive noises are more often than not considered illegal.
Limiting Engine Potential - A muffler's primary role is to dampen sound, but it can also play a role in your car's overall performance as well. An engine can generate more power faster if it can get rid of all of the exhaust gases it produces quickly. By their nature, mufflers limit exhaust flow or create backpressure, which slightly slows down your motor.
Harmful Emissions of Gases - The absence of a muffler on your exhaust system means that harmful emissions blow from the exhaust and may also allow other chemical gases to enter the vehicle's cabin, which may be detrimental to a passenger's health.
In conclusion, a malfunctioning muffler is bothersome. A muffler is often an overlooked piece of the car, but it serves an essential purpose in the exhaust system. If you are in need of a muffler or exhaust repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle to German Motorworks today!