A vehicle’s exhaust system is one of the most common car parts to require maintenance – and something you should never delay tending to.

Perhaps the most important danger to consider when talking about exhaust systems is Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a serious and deadly toxic gas emitted by your vehicle’s exhaust system. CO is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non irritating. This makes it very difficult to detect before it’s too late. While it is common knowledge that you should never allow your vehicle to run in an enclosed space such as the garage, it is perhaps less thought about that CO poisoning can happen in some other circumstances as well.

If you live in an area where winter weather conditions are a concern, you should always check carefully to ensure your vehicle’s exhaust pipe has not been blocked by ice or snow from a storm or snow plow. A blocked exhaust can cause CO to enter the vehicle through the gaps or cracks in the floorboard. Exposure can cause you to become very ill, and can sometimes even be fatal. Early symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest or fluttering of the heart, impaired vision, confusion and impaired reaction time, sleepiness and other changes including behavioral changes. For infants, elders, and individuals with health problems (especially heart problems), CO exposure can be even more deadly.

Other considerations of a poorly functioning exhaust system are reduced fuel economy, poor performance of the vehicle, a lit check engine light, and inability to pass an emissions test.

Mufflers typically last about 5 to 7 years on most vehicles, but can wear out more quickly if exposed to salt (either from snow maintenance or seawater), damage from speed bumps, pot holes or other bad road conditions, or a custom change not recommended by the manufacturer. So what should you look for? Some common signs that you need to have your exhaust checked include the following:

• Loud or unusual exhaust noise
• A decrease in your normal gas mileage
• A bad or unusual smell coming from the exhaust
• Rough idling
• Backfiring or engine misfiring
• Condensation from the exhaust pipes

If you suspect an issue with your exhaust system, be sure to quickly contact your mechanic for a thorough inspection to ensure the health and safety of you and your passengers.