If your vehicle is loud enough to jolt people several streets away, your muffler may need to be replaced. It is a sophisticated part of your car's exhaust system that is often misunderstood by motorists. Most people think this component's job is limited to reducing the noise level made by the engine. However, its responsibilities expand further.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at your car's muffler and its place within the exhaust system. I'll describe its role and a few factors that can affect its ability to perform it. I'll also clarify whether you should have the part replaced at a dealership or at a local repair garage.

Understanding Its Role

To say your engine makes noise is an oversimplification. The sound is actually generated as the result of pressure waves. High-pressure molecules within gas mix with low-pressure molecules, which create alternating pulses. Those pulses form the pressure waves. There are tubes within your car's muffler that are designed to push the resulting sound waves against each other. That cancels them out and thereby, reduces the noise.

The component performs a critical role as part of your exhaust system. Besides reducing the noise level, it helps to expel hydrocarbons and other chemicals that would otherwise be harmful to you and your passengers.

Factors That Cause A Problem

Under normal circumstances, your muffler should last for years. In fact, it's not uncommon for drivers to sell their vehicles after many years of ownership without having to replace it. Having said that, there are a few factors that can impact its integrity.

For example, in states that receive a heavy volume of snow or ice, chemicals such as sodium and rock salt are used to clear away the roads. The problem is that these chemicals, when combined with magnesium chloride, can begin to corrode the metal of your muffler. Also, when you start your engine cold, a blast of exhaust shoots through the system. Because the pipes are cold, the hot exhaust creates condensation, which can lead to rust. If corrosion or rust set in, you'll eventually need to replace the part.

Should You Visit The Dealership?

You should visit your dealership if your car is still under the factory warranty. The dealer's technicians will install an OEM replacement. Also, if you're driving a foreign performance vehicle (for example, a Maserati or Lamborghini), take it to your dealer. Those cars often have exhaust systems that are specially calibrated; you should only trust it with a pro who has the right tools. Aside from those circumstances, you can feel comfortable having a local mechanic do the job. You can even do it yourself if you have the right equipment (and patience).

The important thing to remember is that your muffler is an important part of the larger exhaust system. If it suffers corrosion, rust, or other damage, have it replaced as soon as possible.

Posted under Cars

The Honda Company has a history of producing quality cars, motorcycles, scooters, trucks, robots, jets and jet engines, ATVs, water craft, and many other important technologies. One interesting historical feature of the Honda Company is the origination of the Honda engine. Honda is the largest engine manufacturer in the world, with more than 14 million internal combustion engines built each year.

After World War II, Soichiro Honda formed the Honda Research Institute Company Ltd in Japan. In 1947, Honda built the A-type engine, a 1-horsepower 50cc two-stroke that fastened to bicycles. Honda staff called it the chimney because of its tall cylinder. In September 1948, the Honda Motor Co. was formally established.

The first production automobile from Honda was the T360 mini pick-up truck which was powered by a small 356 cc straight-4 gasoline engine. The first production car from Honda was the S500 sports car. In 1961, the bigger Volvo model engines called the 122-S series B-18 engine were built. In 1965 Honda built a race car equipped with a 12-cylinder engine.

In 1973, The Ford Motor Company formed an agreement with The Honda Motor Company to obtain technical data on a new engine that would decrease air pollution. They created the first engine to meet the guidelines of the 1970 US Clean Air Act.

In 1991, Honda reported selling 7000 CRX-HF cars where the Honda engine used computers and sensors to control valve action and the air-fuel. The purpose was to increase the amount of air in the mixture to 20 parts per 1 part gasoline.

In May 1999, Honda announced that it would supply its new Formula 1 engines to British American Racing. The most important highlight of the announcement was that Hondas engine engineers had developed an oil trap that fitted into the engine. Also in 1999, Hybrid Electric Honda launched the first commercial hybrid electric car that was sold in the US as the Honda Insight. The first-generation Insight was produced from 2000 to 2006. This was the most fuel-efficient mass-produced car at the time. In 2000, Honda began mass producing clean high-performance engines.

The Honda Civic GX is the only natural gas vehicle (NGV) available in certain US locations. In 2001, the Civic GX was rated the cleanest-burning internal combustion engine in the world by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?.

In 2006, Honda announced it would build a $154-million engine plant near Alliston, Ontario, Canada. It would be the first engine plant in Canada. In late 2006, Honda's Brazilian subsidiary launched flexible-fuel versions for the Honda Civic and Honda Fit. These models run on a mixture of hydrous ethanol (E100) and E20-E25 gasoline. Honda introduced the second-generation Insight in Japan in February 2009. It will be the cheapest hybrid available in the US.

Since 2002, Honda has been selling the Honda Civic Hybrid (2003 model) in the US. It was followed by the Honda Accord Hybrid, which was offered in 2005 to 2007 models. Honda is also planning to introduce a hybrid version of its Honda Fit, as well as another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car that was introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Honda has a remarkable history of building solid engines. It will be interesting to see what the future of the Honda engine will bring.

Posted under Cars

With the failing economy and the falling wages of worker, perhaps the solution to giving your car a different look will be to give your car a complete new paint job. If the mechanics and the engine of the car is in good shape, but you do not fancy the car body, then painting it will be the ideal answer.

Its a fantastic money saver, but even more so if you do it yourself as opposed to having it professionally done up in the workshop. You can do it right if you study the basics and follow the instructions for car spray painting. It's important though if you decide you are going to take on this project that you are ready to see it complete till the end.

First of all, you require various supplies. These comprise of:

-coverings to protect the unpainted regions and masking tape to hold these at the proper place -a good car wash soap and brush and also a wax/grease remover. -a few grits of sandpaper -primers and paint that is urethane base for the car spray painting -paint sprayer -safety equipment such as masks, goggles and protective clothing -knife and putty for fill-ins.

One : You must make sure that you wash the car thoroughly to remove all grime and debris. If you don't then these things will be set in with your paint, leaving a very frustrating look to the completed job. Follow up with a wax/grease remover so the paint you use for the car spray painting would adhere the right way.

Two : Remove whatever rough spots by sanding. Once this has been done be certain to rinse off any of the loose sandings. This's where you will want to use the putty to fill in any small pit marks, that're have been caused from stones for illustration.

Three : Do not get in too much of a hurry to begin your car spray painting. The car must be totally dry so its best to leave it to do so for few hours. You could go ahead and cover any of the areas that your dont want to get paint on.

4 : Presently youre ready to begin with the primer. Dont skip this step, as it will give a much improved look to the completed project. It helps the paint to adhere properly and allows for a more even finish. Next, once the primer is dry you'll need to lightly sand it down.

5 : You are eventually at the step youve been waiting for. Its time to apply the color for your car spray painting. Whether you have selected to use aerosol paints or a spray gun, the premise stays the same. Merely apply thin coats. Several would probably be essential. A Few light coats are much better than 1 thick coat. You will be able to tell just by looking at the car how many more coats of paint it'll require. Several may just require 2 where as some others would need three or four.

Six : Eventually, down to the last step and thats applying the clear coat. This's done precisely the same as the colored coats.

Now you can have a look at your personalized car spraying.

Posted under Cars