It's easy to see why people often confuse mufflers and exhausts. The parts are close cousins, but each performs its own set of unique functions inside a vehicle. What are those functions? Our Corydon, IN Heritage Ford service department techs have the answers.
The exhaust is an automotive system consisting of many parts, including the muffler. The exhaust channels engine fumes from multiple sources into a single pipe or into a lesser number of pipes. This keeps the fumes out of the vehicle cabin. En route to the vehicle tailpipe, the fumes come into contact with a catalytic converter. The converter removes atoms from gases, namely nitrogen, leaving behind carbon dioxide and water vapor. The vapor and CO2 leave the vehicle through the tailpipe.
Mufflers 101As the name suggests, a muffler dampens rumbling sound waves from engine activity. When catalyzed fumes and engine sound waves enter the muffler, they move through a series of holes or tubes. This changes their acoustical vibrations, minimizing engine roar.