How Does The Car Exhaust System Work? Explained!
The exhaust system is the critical component of your vehicle. While you may find it at the opposite end of the engine, it plays a significant role in effectively dealing with the toxic gases produced from your car's engine. Additionally, your vehicle's exhaust system works efficiently in supporting the engine's capability. Your car's exhaust system typically accomplishes four primary functions. Let’s see what these are below.
Controls noise
Once the catalytic converter filters out the harmful substances from the exhaust gases, the exhaust system carries it through your vehicle's muffler. This dampens the sound of the gases when leaving the car.
Carries away gases
Exhaust gases are typically collected by the exhaust manifold that is eventually routed out of your car. Thus, the manifold acts as a funnel, catching gases from all cylinders and releasing them via the exhaust pipe.
Improves engine performance
The longer it takes for the exhaust gases to come out of your vehicle, the more time it will consume to breathe in the oxygen and generate more power. Thus, ensure your vehicle's exhaust system is in good working condition. You can also contact a reputed aftermarket vehicle parts dealer in town to install a high-end exhaust system in your car to boost its overall performance. This will allow your vehicle to breathe better and faster — leading to more power and enhanced performance!
Improves fuel consumption
Like engine performance, the faster the exhaust gases leave your vehicle, the better your engine will be able to breathe the fresh oxygen, boosting fuel efficiency. Moreover, modern exhaust systems come with an oxygen sensor that strives to maintain the balance between the air-fuel ratio.
Different components of an exhaust system
O2 Sensor
The O2/ oxygen sensor is typically mounted on the exhaust manifold and evaluates the oxygen content in the exhaust. This measurement allows the sensor to maintain the air-fuel mixture level.
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is one of the most significant components of a vehicle's exhaust system. It serves as an excellent help in eliminating all the toxic gases released from the engine by converting them into carbon dioxide and nitrogen (which are less harmful to the environment).
Resonator
A resonator is typically employed to restrain the engine from producing loud noise. For instance, if you don't appreciate the loud sound, driving a loud car on the highway for extended hours can get irritating. Thus, a resonator is installed to tackle the engine's RPMs and eliminate unwanted noise.
Muffler
A muffler is another critical component of an exhaust system that helps reduce the noise produced by combustion and expulsion of exhaust gases.
Exhaust pipe
The exhaust pipe is the one that connects all the other parts of the exhaust system and carries the emissions from the catalytic converter to the muffler.
Exhaust manifold
The exhaust manifold takes the emissions from the piston to the catalytic converter.
Exhaust valve
The exhaust valve is installed in the cylinder head and gets opened after the combustion stroke of the piston.
Piston
The piston of an exhaust system forces the gases produced from the combustion chamber into the exhaust manifold.
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