Your Subaru’s exhaust system is more than just a tailpipe and a muffler. In fact, it is one of the most complex systems on your Subaru. Maintaining it is good Loren's Auto Repair auto advice for Kalispell auto owners, but it’s also good health advice and good environmental advice.

The exhaust system includes your emissions system. Because this system may affect your health and the health of our Kalispell area environment, it is subject to strict government regulations. Satisfying these regulations demands some high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, which means that the emissions system is a lot more sophisticated than it was thirty years ago. Most auto manufacturers recommend that you have your Subaru exhaust and emissions systems checked by a qualified tech at regular intervals.

The exhaust system starts with the exhaust manifold. The manifold is attached to the Subaru engine. It collects exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe. Gaskets seal the connection of the manifold to the engine and to other joints. A cracked or loose manifold or a leaking or damaged gasket can allow dangerous gases to enter the passenger compartment of a vehicle. One of these gases is carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and deadly. For this reason, it is essential that Kalispell auto owners keep their exhaust system in good repair.

The pipes that connect the various parts of the exhaust system can rust or be damaged by rocks or other road debris. Such damage can cause dangerous gases to leak into the air. So it is important that exhaust pipes get an inspection regularly.

The catalytic converter is the next critical component of your Subaru exhaust system. It sort of looks like a muffler. Its job is to change dangerous gases into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any regular maintenance, but it can wear out. If it fails, you will need a new catalytic converter to pass an emissions test in MT. Call Loren's Auto Repair at 406-755-7757 if you suspect a problem with your catalytic converter.

Oxygen sensors in the exhaust pipe monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust. This helps the Subaru engine’s computer keep the fuel-to-air mixture at optimal levels.

The muffler is also part of your Subaru exhaust system, but it deals with a different kind of emission. It keeps your Subaru from emitting bad sounds. Mufflers act like finely tuned musical instruments. They create a feedback of sound waves to absorb or decrease the noises made by your engine. Different mufflers can create different sound waves, so you can actually “tune” your car to produce a particular sound, anything from whisper to rumble.

It is essential for damaged mufflers be replaced immediately at your Kalispell automotive service center, especially if they are leaking. Not only will the extra noise annoy your Kalispell neighbors, a leaky muffler could be serious.

The entire exhaust system is attached to your Subaru by hangers and clamps. These fasteners can rust, come loose or break. The critical components of the exhaust system can get very hot, so when the hangers or clamps fail, these hot components can come into contact with other parts such as wires and hoses. These can melt, causing serious and pricey damage to your vehicle. Good car care requires that you have your exhaust system inspected regularly.

Let’s not forget the tailpipe. It’s the last essential piece in the exhaust system — and of your Subaru, for that matter. Exhaust fumes exit your Subaru through the tailpipe.

If your Subaru has any of the following symptoms, it may have a problem with the exhaust system: it’s hard to start, it runs rough, it’s noisy, it’s smoking. Also, if your “check engine” light comes on, especially if it’s flashing, it is important to get your Subaru to Loren's Auto Repair in Kalispell right away. Often, the “check engine” light indicates a problem with the emissions system.

Caring for your Subaru exhaust system yields cosmetic benefits like quieting your engine sounds, but also may impact your health and safety. Your life, or the life of a loved one, may actually be on the line.

Many Kalispell auto owners don't realize that there is more to exhaust system maintanance than just tailpipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. Exhaust service at a full-service automotive center like Loren's Auto Repair is really a lot more comprehensive these days.

For example, in the U.S., the federal government required catalytic converters for all cars in Kalispell in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. MT and federal emissions requirements have forced auto manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental laws. This also goes for cars sold in Canada.

So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now necessary. And because it’s so sophisticated, car makers recommend having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, like the ones we have at Loren's Auto Repair, regularly to make sure everything’s working right – which is usually every six months or 6,000 miles.

If your 'check engine light' comes on while you are driving around the Kalispell area, especially if it’s flashing, then you need to bring your car into Loren's Auto Repair ASAP. Chances are it’s an emission related problem. Signs of exhaust or emissions trouble include difficulty starting, engine noise or smoke.

So let’s do a quick rundown of the exhaust system for Kalispell car owners. First up, the exhaust manifold. That’s the part that attaches to the engine and collects the exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe.

The exhaust gaskets help seal the connection with the manifold and other joints along the way. Now, if the manifold is cracked or loose, or a gasket is leaking, then detrimental gases could escape into the cabin, where you ride. Carbon monoxide can be deadly, so it’s important that your exhaust system doesn’t leak.

The exhaust pipes connect the various critical components. They can rust or be damaged by a rock, so they need to be inspected periodically.

Next comes the catalytic converter. This part actually looks like a muffler. It changes toxic chemicals into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any maintenance itself for Kalispell auto owners, but eventually it wears out. If yours has stopped working, you probably won't discover it until your car fails its MT emissions inspection.

Next, the muffler. The key job of this aptly-named part is to muffle engine noises. Mufflers work by either absorbing or baffling sound. Many Kalispell motorists don't know that you can actually customize your car’s sound with different mufflers – which is pretty cool because in addition to changing the look of your ride, you can also customize its sound!

Rusted or road-damaged mufflers can actually leak and they need to be replaced right away. The exhaust system is attached to the car by a series of hangers and clamps that hold the system in place. And when these hangers come loose or break then hot exhaust components can touch and melt wires, hoses and lines. Just think of how dangerous a hot curling iron can be – but worse. It’s not good to have that waving around. Talk to your professional and courteous Loren's Auto Repair service specialist.

And finally, we end at the tailpipe. Appropriate name. This is the final outlet for the exhaust. And one other component is the oxygen sensor. It monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust so the engine-control computer can adjust the critical fuel-to-air mix to keep the car running right.

We hope this hasn’t been too 'exhausting' of a discussion. Remember that a properly functioning exhaust system is vital for Kalispell drivers' health and safety. Talk with your professional and courteous service advisor at Loren's Auto Repair in Kalispell if you think you might need an automotive analysis of your exhaust system. A quick look can sure save a lot of pain down the road.

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