Cars with loud exhaust pipes that wander around in residential areas can be slightly annoying to neighbours. In some countries or states, governments have had to pass legislation to make sure that this does not happen. While this may be one solution to curb illegal modifications to the car exhaust, some car owners continue to do it on purpose because it is a symbol of authority or competition. However, in cars where their exhaust systems are broken, this is a whole other story.

To get your exhaust fixed, automotive engineers or mechanics are usually the best people to go to because they can tell you what exactly is wrong with it and how to fix it. There are many ways to quieten down an exhaust without forfeiting on its performance. Discovering the best way to quiet a car exhaust that makes a lot of noise is possibly one of those many life-lessons you will never lose but always use. 

One common misconception of people who are not mechanics is that the car may be one of those difficult things to repair or figure out; and as a result, when things go wrong, instead of learning how to fix it themselves, their first go-to is the garage or mechanic. But of course, if you do not have much knowledge on how to fix a car, you may just make matters worse. So, if its something really complicated, you may be better off taking it to the mechanic. 

But what about those times when the issues are simple to fix? Well, your cue could probably be to follow some DIY instructions either online or from a book or manual. 

The first and most common thing to do is troubleshooting i.e. try and figure out why it’s making that noise, where is the issue originating from, and then secondly, fix it. Ask yourself some simple questions and do some simple observations: https://www.kwik-fit.com/exhausts/information/exhaust-problem-solving

• Where is the noise coming from – the front of the back of the car?
• Is the noise from the centre of the car? Is there a loose connection somewhere?
• Is your engine leaking?
• Is your exhaust pipe leaking?
• Is the exhaust rattling?
• What kind of noise is it- hissing, roaring or a metallic vibration kind of noise?

Next you have a few universal solutions to lowering that noise.

• If it’s a leaking exhaust pipe; you need to fix the cracks or holes in it, and this is done by using what’s known as heat-resistance epoxy tubes.
  
• If the muffles is damaged, you need to buy a new one and replace it. This is one of the most essential parts of your car – it is the exhaust system itself. This helps reduce noise that comes out of the engine. You can look for decent mufflers that are sound-proof and they are usually made from fibre or steel cut. 
  
• The muffler mentioned above may need a silencer that is also used to quieten down noisy exhaust. There are also DIY tips on how you can make your own silencers. However, if you are not skilled at going this detailed in making components to fit into your car, then it’s best to leave it to the professionals. More about mufflers here.

The other essential thing to keep in mind is that if your exhaust is not functioning at 100%, you can waste a lot of fuel. There may even be a decrease in power or acceleration of the car and thus, affect the efficiency of the car as a whole. Also, driving around with a broken exhaust is an environmental hazard because it pollutes the air twice as much than a fixed one.

So, what is the sound of a healthy car?

Here are some steps to find out: 

• First, you need to be in a quiet area where there is no other noise around. 
  
• Then, open the car’s hood and start the engine. 
  
• Allow your car’s engine to run for about a minute or two.
  
• Once the car has warmed up, try and listen carefully. 
  
• Notice if there are any unusual sounds.
  
• Be sure to lend your ear to all sides of the engine, the front and sides.

It is always advisable to check your car regularly and take it for a service. The car exhaust is possibly one of the most important components of your car. Learn more about how your car’s performance can be disrupted by a bad exhaust.