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Apr 26, 2024
Kia Exhaust System Care: Ensuring Efficiency and Performance

Malfunctions in a car’s exhaust system can cause harm to the engine as the outflow of fumes becomes restricted. Worse than this, exhaust faults can damage your health if noxious fumes leak into the cabin. In order to keep your exhaust pipes, exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, and muffler in tip-top condition, follow the following maintenance tips and look out for symptoms of Kia exhaust trouble. A technician at your local Kia dealership can quickly repair any problems before they cause harm. 

Kia Exhaust System Care: Ensuring Efficiency and Performance

Cleanliness Is Key to Good Exhaust Maintenance

As most exhaust components are exposed on the underside of your car, they can rapidly gather dirt, mud, tar, random debris, and carbon deposits. Even though these pipes and parts are mostly out of sight, it’s best to keep them squeaky clean. The dirtier exhaust pipes are allowed to get, the more susceptible they become to corrosion. 

Rust Is the Number One Enemy of Exhaust Pipes

Regular cleaning will help to deter the nemesis of exhaust systems: rust. You can also take steps to protect your exhaust pipes from rust with a coating of high-temperature resistant paint, special undercoating designed for exhaust systems, and even a regular layer of wax. 

Go for Regular Drives of More Than 30 Minutes

One reason that mufflers in particular become damaged by rust is that water continuously vaporizes and condenses inside the exhaust pipes. This water then runs out through the muffler and sometimes collects there. 

Short drives generally don’t generate enough heat to steam away this trapped water, but over 30 minutes of driving will do it. Therefore, take longer drives whenever you can, for the sake of your muffler’s longevity. 

Watch Out for Signs of Exhaust System Trouble

The better you understand the symptoms of exhaust system faults, the quicker you can respond when one arises. If you detect a foul odor, hear metal rattling below, see smoke in the exhaust fumes, or feel unusual vibrations through the steering wheel or gas pedal, you might have an exhaust fault on your hands. Counterintuitively, engine problems at the front of your car, such as falling engine power, misfiring, or extra-loud revving, might also be caused by exhaust problems. 

Have Your Exhaust Checked Often at Your Kia Dealership

While taking your car in for regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and fluid checks, don’t forget to have your exhaust system examined and tested too. This may one day uncover an undetected exhaust problem that might otherwise have caused damage to your car. 

Visit Kia West Chester in West Chester, PA, today to have your exhaust system inspected and repaired by experienced professionals. We provide the region’s drivers with an expansive inventory of new and used cars, and expert support with all your automotive purchasing, financing, and maintenance needs.