Keeping your exhaust system in tip-top shape is essential to keeping your car healthy, just as you are toning your body with a variety of fruits, grains, and vegetables. A poorly functioning exhaust system can lead to poor fuel efficiency, reduced power output and even costly road damage. More importantly, the main function of the exhaust system is to keep toxic fumes generated inside the engine away from you and your passengers and out of the exhaust pipe safely. A faulty exhaust system means that toxic exhaust fumes are being funneled into your car, which can seriously damage your health.

Let's break down how the exhaust system works part by part. Learn how exhaust systems fail and how the experts at Firestone Complete Auto Care can restore your vehicle to health and peace of mind.

Where it all started: Exhaust manifold

The exhaust manifold is where the waste products of combustion (exhaust gases, excess heat and sound waves) first enter the exhaust system. A properly functioning exhaust system relieves all three, allowing your engine to run smoothly and not experience excessive exhaust noise or odors.

Inside the exhaust manifold is a nifty feature found in most post-1980 cars: the oxygen sensor. This high-tech sensor monitors the level of unburned oxygen in the exhaust to measure your car's fuel mixture. This helps the engine perform at its best by telling the car's computer when it needs to adjust the fuel mixture supplied to the engine.

Exhaust gases are at their fastest, hottest, and most toxic when they first enter the exhaust manifold. As a result, the manifold is very susceptible to damage. Signs of a cracked manifold include increased engine noise, poor fuel economy, vibration in the driver's seat, accelerator pedal and steering wheel. If your vehicle exhibits any of these symptoms, we recommend contacting your local Firestone Complete Auto Care as soon as possible. A damaged exhaust manifold can emit toxic fumes into your vehicle, causing harm to you, your passengers and the environment.

All Important Locations: Exhaust

The role of the muffler is to muffle the noise generated by the engine so as not to disturb it. Lacking in technology, this muffler acts as a resonance damper, causing the sound waves to bounce chaotically until they cancel each other out.

A broken muffler will make a lot of noise, especially at high speeds and acceleration. You may also experience an exhaust leak if the muffler is damaged. Fortunately, at this stage most of the harmful pollutants in the exhaust have been removed by the catalytic converter, but there are still enough pollutants in the exhaust to harm (and in some cases kill) your health. There's carbon monoxide. Therefore, if the muffler is not clogged, heed the warning and have it checked.

All outlets: exhaust pipe/tail pipe

The exhaust pipe is a long metal tube that carries engine exhaust through the exhaust system and finally out of the car. The joints and connectors that connect the exhaust pipe to each exhaust system component are highly susceptible to corrosion and are a common source of exhaust system accidents.

Corroded joints are usually easier to replace if the problem is treated before it becomes too serious. Damaged or damaged exhaust pipes can cause exhaust fumes to escape into the vehicle so again, if you notice an increase in noise or volume, take the vehicle to a professional as soon as possible.. Best way to get this. . . .

Medical check-up! It's emission test time

A good indicator of the overall condition of the exhaust system is the emissions test. If you are concerned about fuel efficiency, or if your exhaust system has not been serviced for a long time, contact your local Firestone Complete Auto Care professional. Remember: An underperforming exhaust system can be detrimental to your car, your health, the environment and your wallet