Mufflers: A Basic Guide To Your Vehicle’s Muzzle
Mufflers: A Basic Guide To Your Vehicle’s Muzzle
Have you ever heard a relatively tame looking station wagon driving down the street that sounds like 500 lawnmowers running in unison? Well, chances are, that station wagon is not modified, it just has a seriously damaged (or absent) muffler. Even the smallest, quietest gasoline powered vehicles can sound like a sick Harley-Davidson without this part.
If you were to disassemble the system, you’d find a relatively simple looking set of holes and tubes. Believe it or not, those little details are deliberately and scientifically arranged in the most optimized way possible. They deflect the sound waves created by your engine, partially canceling them out.
A good analogy to help you understand how and why mufflers work so effectively is to consider the popping of a balloon. When you puncture a balloon, all of the air that is instantly released creates a loud, startling sound. Similarly, your engine fires thousands of times per minute. Burning and forcing out air also creates a great deal of sound.
Now, imagine for a moment… instead of popping the balloon, you allow the air to sleep out slowly through the opening at the bottom. The result is a much quieter, much more controlled sound. This is very much so how your muffler operates. It allows the air to be channeled through it slowly, expanding along the way, so that it can be released in a slow and controlled manner through your exhaust pipe.
The main parts that comprise a standard muffler include:
- Inlet
- Outlet
- Resonator Chamber
- Perforations
As the exhaust enters through the inlet tube, they are bounced back off the wall and are then reflected into the main body of the system through a hole. The exhaust is then passed through a series of holes to yet another chamber where they are soon passed through the outlet. Connected to the first chamber is the resonator, which contains a certain calculated amount of air that produces a wave. This wave essentially cancels out certain frequencies that are caused by the exhaust.
Some people like to have their exhaust system modified. There are many types of customized mufflers that cause air to be moved more quickly, creating additional engine performance. However, with the speedier passing of exhaust comes more noise. Many parts of the country regulate what types of modified exhaust systems are “street legal,” in order to regulate noise pollution. If you are stopped by law enforcement and have an illegally modified exhaust, you’ll likely receive a citation.
If you need to replace your muffler, think used auto parts to not only save the green in your wallet but think eco friendly recycled green as well.
Check out http://www.vehicleclassics.com/ for more car info
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Tags: Car Maintenance, car parts, Car Repair, Mufflers
