A car’s exhaust is the system that carries the waste gases the engine produces out of the vehicle and releases them into the atmosphere. The exhaust system has different components, such as the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and tailpipe.
What comes out of the exhaust?
When the fuel in the car’s engine burns, it produces various by-products, including carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.
These gases and particles are safely removed from the engine and expelled outside the vehicle through the exhaust. Read our blog post on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning on the road here.
These are the main components of a car’s exhaust system and their functions:
Exhaust Manifold
The exhaust manifold is located on the engine and collects the waste gases from the engine’s cylinders. It channels the gases into a single pipe.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is a crucial component in the exhaust system. It contains catalysts, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which help convert harmful gases into less harmful substances through chemical reactions.
The catalytic converter primarily reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and unburned hydrocarbons.
Muffler
The muffler, also known as a silencer, is responsible for reducing the noise generated by the exhaust gases. It contains chambers and baffles that help to cancel out or dampen the sound waves produced by the engine.
Tailpipe
The tailpipe is the visible part of the exhaust system that extends from the rear of the vehicle. It serves as the final exit point for the exhaust gases, releasing them into the atmosphere behind the vehicle.
Overall, the car’s exhaust system plays a vital role in reducing harmful emissions, minimizing engine noise, and maintaining the vehicle’s performance and efficiency.
Download Whistle to report your road experiences in real time for cash/social points rewards, and to bring sanity to Lagos roads.
