As a responsible driver, you need to be knowledgeable of the functions of various parts of your car to remain safe. A primary system you need to understand is the exhaust system, which comprises numerous components, including the exhaust (manifold) and muffler.
As the engine works to power your vehicle, it produces a lot of noise that needs to be dampened -- that's where the muffler comes in. Without the muffler, your engine would be roaring all the time. On the other hand, the exhaust is responsible for eliminating the harmful byproducts of the engine and controls emissions.
The Exhaust
The exhaust system comprises components and piping that transports the byproducts from the combustion process. When gasoline burns, toxic fumes are produced. If these gases were to be released into the cabin, they would damage your health. Instead, the exhaust manifold collects these harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and moves them to the catalytic converter, where they get transformed into safer gases like steam. Finally, the pipes direct the harmless output to the muffler.
The Muffler
The gases are passed through a muffler to eliminate or reduce noise. The muffler has tubes, partitions, and chambers that help "muffle" the sound. It works collectively to cancel the high-pitched frequencies, thereby absorbing the noise.
We hoped this gave you a better understanding of the exhaust system. The exhaust (manifold) and muffler are not the same things, but they are necessary pieces that make up the complex exhaust system.
If you require muffler or exhaust repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle to Cosmo's Service Center today. Give us a call at (631) 888-5955 if you have any questions.