A Closer Look at the Parts of Your Car’s Exhaust System [infographic]

HomeBlogA Closer Look at the Parts of Your Car’s Exhaust System [infographic]

Your car’s exhaust system is designed to dissipate harmful gases your engine produces in its combustion chamber while muffling the sound of your running engine when you drive. This system is made up of several components that work together to remove exhaust gases successfully and reduce exhaust noise.

A Closer Look at the Parts of Your Car’s Exhaust System

  • Tail pipe—The tail pipe comes out of your muffler and, in most vehicles, extends past the rear bumper. This is the final stop for the gases from your engine and where exhaust gases exit your car.
  • Resonator—The resonator organizes and tunes vibration sounds from your engine. It also helps improve the flow of exhaust from your engine, leading to better fuel efficiency and performance.
  • Muffler—As you would expect, the muffler muffles sounds produced by your engine while also maximizing the flow of harmful gases from your engine. The better the flow rate of your muffler, the better your car will perform.
  • Catalytic converter—Your catalytic convertor uses a catalyst, usually rhodium, palladium, or platinum, to convert harmful emissions from your engine’s combustion chamber into hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
  • Exhaust manifold—The exhaust manifold collects the exhaust gases from every cylinder in your car’s combustion chamber. It then directs these gases to the exhaust pipe.