South Star Chrysler is now the place to go for your exhaust needs!
We have state-of-the-art computerized equipment to perform muffler and exhaust system repair for all makes and models of vehicles. South Star Chrysler offers a full range of exhaust service options, from high performance diesel packages and Cat-back systems to our Lifetime Guaranteed mufflers*, as well as value-oriented replacement mufflers low as $49.95.
South Star Chrysler can custom build exhaust systems for any kind of vehicle, as well as provide both OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and after-market (generic) catalytic converters that meet stringent EPA requirements for pollution reduction.
Your car not only has to help keep your family safe, it has to do its part to keep the planet safe. Most people think their car's exhaust system is designed only to reduce noise, but it is also responsible for reducing harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. A properly functioning muffler and exhaust system not only sound better, they are better - for you, your car, and the environment. As a rule, we recommend having your exhaust system professionally inspected at least once a year. Stop by South Star Chrysler today for a free exhaust inspection and get the peace of mind that a leader provides.Frequently Asked Exhaust QuestionsQ: My car is older. Lately, it seems to be getting noisier. How do I know if my muffler went bad?A: Your car's exhaust system is pretty complex. Excess noise could be from a number of sources in the exhaust system including cracks or holes in manifolds, gaskets, pipes or the muffler itself. To find out for sure where the noise is coming from, just stop by South Star Chrysler. We cannot only find it; we can fix it, too.
Q: Besides excess noise and rough idling, what are some other things I need to watch out for with my car's exhaust system?A: Excessive rust or broken rubber hangers can cause mufflers, pipes, and other parts of the exhaust system to hang extremely low or break, and that can be hazardous, especially to folks driving behind you. However, these aren't always things that can be easily assessed by just peeking under your car.
Q: What are some common signs of wear on the exhaust system?A: Resonators and mufflers: external rust may not be as serious as it first appears, because it may only be on the surface, but excessive rust or holes could cause air pollution, excessive noise and a rough idle.
Pipes, hangers, clamps, and brackets: excessive rust or broken bolts could cause parts to hang dangerously low, resulting in a hazard for the people driving behind you.
Exhaust manifolds and gaskets: cracks or small holes could cause exhaust leaks, affecting both safety and performance.
Catalytic converters: overheating, dents, clogs, or corrosion could cause air pollution, excessive noise and rough idle.
Oxygen sensors: cracks, damaged wires, or blocked intakes could cause incorrect fuel/air mixture adjustments and poor fuel economy.
Q: Why do mufflers rust so quickly?A: Exhausts can corrode from both the inside and outside. How long your exhaust lasts depends on how far and how often you drive your car rather than the length of time it has been fitted. Vehicles used for short trips around town tend to corrode their exhausts in a much shorter time and distance than cars used predominately for long journeys.
Q: Are mufflers made of special soundproof material?A: Your exhaust system - and the muffler in particular - is very sophisticated, although you can't really appreciate it just looking under your car. If you were to cut it open you would likely find what looks to be a bundle of metal tubes with holes in them. And while they might look simple, inside the muffler these tubes work together to force sound waves to hit one another in very precise ways, canceling the sound in the process.
Q: How does the exhaust system actually work?A: Exhausts have four main functions: to control noise, to direct exhaust fumes away from passengers, to improve the performance/fuel consumption of the engine and to lower emissions.
Your exhaust system really starts at the front of your car, on the side your engine. Exhaust manifolds connect to the cylinder heads, where they collect exhaust gases. As the gases move through the exhaust system, they're first analyzed by oxygen sensors, then refined by the catalytic converter and, finally, muffled by the muffler.
The tailpipe is the part of the exhaust that you can see extending from the back of the car. The muffler joins onto the tailpipe, and then a series of further pipes joins the muffler to the catalytic converter and then the engine.
The muffler contains metal plates or tubes that have a series of holes bored into them. Exhaust gases leave the engine at very high pressures, and the holes in the muffler help to reduce that pressure so that they leave the car more quietly.
Q: What does my catalytic converter do?A: The catalytic converter works by converting gases into water vapor and less harmful gases. It reduces harmful emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
The catalytic converter includes a core of ceramics riddled with pores that measure less than 1/32". The pores are coated with powdered catalysts that contain metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. Because the pores are close to the engine, they heat up and the catalytic converter starts working soon after the engine is started.
Catalytic converters are so efficient that the difference in emission readings for cars with converters and those without are huge. The good news is that catalytic converters have a good life expectancy, but still need to be checked periodically for internal and external damage.
Q: What does the oxygen sensor do?A: The oxygen sensor is a device that helps to reduce carbon emissions. It monitors the percentage of oxygen present in exhaust gases and transmits information to the engine management system or electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU uses information obtained from the oxygen sensor and constantly adjusts the air/fuel mixture so that the cleanest and most efficient combustion is achieved under all operating conditions. The oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and ECU all work together to help to achieve the lowest possible output of dangerous and polluting gases.
