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Most of us enjoy a joy ride in our vehicle, whether its a quiet ride down a lonely highway or a late night cruise. When you think of these things I am sure engine noise doesn’t come to mind. There are many components in your vehicles’ design that make it quiet. One of the most important components is your muffler.

The muffler on your vehicle does exactly what it’s named for, it muffles noise.  It does this by dampening the vibrations your engine creates. Inside the muffler, there are a set of tubes and holes.  These tubes and holes are designed to absorb sound waves produced by the engine. The muffler doesn’t just muffle sound, it also directs the flow of exhaust away from you and your vehicle.

Mufflers make a big difference. If you have ever heard a car running without a muffler or with a damaged muffler you know how much the sound is reduced. Who could possibly enjoy a Sunday evening cruise with all that clatter and black smoke billowing out the back?

Here are several other indicators of a Muffler Problem:

Increase in engine noise is an indicator that your muffler needs work or replacement. If you notice excessive engine noise our strange looks coming your way while driving down the road you might want to have your mechanic take a look at your muffler.

The most common problem with mufflers is that they rust. Water easily collects inside a muffler and causes condensation.  Mufflers don’t get hot enough to evaporate this condensation so the moisture stays. If you notice excessive rust on your vehicle's muffler, take it in for repair.

Mufflers can also get holes. This is often caused by road obstacles such as potholes, curbs, and rocks flying up from under your wheels.  A good indicator of holes is a rumbling noise along with louder engine sounds.

Here at Master Auto Repair, we recommend having your muffler serviced as soon as you notice any of the above indicators. If you wait until it gets too loud it might be too late for repair and need replacement.  Driving too long with a damaged muffler can also create other issues within your car such as a damaged catalytic converter.

Keep an eye and ear on your muffler. Don’t let all that noise keep you from those joy rides down the road. If you think you have an issue with your muffler or any other part of your vehicle come see us at one of our five locations. We offer top quality auto services and will help get you back to cruising.