The average winter temperature in Cleveland ranges from 26 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Severe cold and extreme weather conditions can take a toll on your vehicle, including your car’s exhaust system.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how cold and snow can affect your car’s exhaust system and then offer some tips on how to protect your car from winter weather.
Your car’s exhaust system is a series of parts that run along the bottom of your vehicle from the engine to the tailpipe. Key components include the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler and tailpipe.
These parts work together to collect exhaust gases from the engine, funnel them, and clean them before they’re released into the air in the form of less toxic emissions.
Cold, wet winters, like those common in Northeast Ohio, can be hard on the exhaust system for a variety of reasons.
Cleveland gets an average of about 63 inches of snow per year. With roadways full of melting snow and slush, the potential for moisture to get into your exhaust system is high. When moisture combines with the engine gases inside your exhaust system, it can cause components to corrode, leading to cracks and breaks.
Another corrosive culprit is road salt. The road salt spread over the city streets may help with traction, but when it mixes with melting snow, it creates a salty brine that is hard on all of your car’s components. Since the exhaust system is exposed along the undercarriage of your car, it’s often hit hard with corrosive salt. This can lead to oxidation and, eventually, rust.
If you’ve lived in Cleveland long enough, you know about the fifth season — pothole season. As the roads freeze, thaw and freeze again, potholes form in the pavement, and they’re often hard to avoid.
Your exhaust system is particularly vulnerable to road hazards such as potholes or ice chunks. One bump can cause physical damage to any component on the exhaust system — even cracks and separation of components.
When you crank up your car in cold weather, it can take longer to start — and longer for the exhaust system to warm up. If you’re only going a short distance, there may not be time for the water vapor to burn off, which could leave moisture trapped in the exhaust system, leading to corrosion over time.
As you go about your daily routines this winter, take note of any of the following signs of a troubled exhaust system.
The exhaust system handles toxic fumes created by your car’s engine. If your exhaust system is faulty, gasses could leak into the cabin of the car, exposing you and your passengers to carbon monoxide, as well as volatile organic compounds and other hazardous gasses.
In the winter, snow and ice can clog your tailpipe, causing toxic fumes to back up inside the cabin. On particularly snowy days, or if you find yourself stuck in a snowbank, make sure the tailpipe is clear of any snow and ice to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition to following your regular maintenance schedule, add these preventive measures to your winter car care routine.
Cleveland’s low temps and snowy weather may not be within your control, but taking steps to maintain your exhaust system in the winter can help you avoid costly repairs or replacements and ensure a safe season of driving. As we prepare for another Cleveland winter, don’t forget to schedule a full vehicle inspection, including a thorough exhaust system checkup today.