You're probably not the only one to notice that you have a problem with your car's exhaust system; your Johnsburg neighbors know, too.

When Mary left her Johnsburg driveway, her mind was on the chores she had to run. But she wasn’t driving more than a minute when something else caught her attention. The car was much louder than usual.

Maybe she didn’t entirely notice the difference at first, since she usually turned on the radio for her favorite music before she took to the Johnsburg road. But, even then, she noticed something and turned the radio down.

There was no doubt about it; the car was much louder than usual. But more than a louder engine sound, she’s liable to hear a loud scraping sound. She’s probably wondering, ‘What the heck is going on?’

What’s going on is that her exhaust system has a problem. The loud sound of the engine is because a hole has appeared in the exhaust and/or the muffler has failed. It’s no longer doing its job and anyone who hears the car go by knows why. They can’t help but hear it.

If she also has a loud scraping sound accompanying the louder engine sound, that means a portion of the exhaust system has broken off and is dragging on the ground.

From outside the car, a dragging exhaust pipe or muffler is something you hear. From outside the car, watching it go by, it’s liable to include a visual show, too; others are liable to see a shower of sparks flying back from the offending part of the exhaust system.

Both of these problems are to be avoided.

Illinois Sec. 12-602. Mufflers, prevention of noise requires that “… at all times (vehicles) be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise.”

In other words, you can get a ticket, with a fine of $75 to $125, for driving around with a defective exhaust system. But the trouble could go deeper than simply a matter of noise.

You’ve probably noticed that most automobile exhaust systems extend to the very back end of the car. This is because you don’t want those exhaust fumes drifting up into the cabin of the car. For the same reason you don’t want to run the car in the garage with the door closed, you don’t want exhaust fumes joining you inside the car.

As for that shower of sparks, it may look interesting to onlookers, you probably don’t want sparks showering your vehicle’s gasoline tank. 

Another thing to consider is that your car’s exhaust system is designed to provide a certain amount of backpressure on the engine. The engine was engineered to run that way. If the exhaust system is defective, the backpressure is changed and it will effect the performance of the engine.

Finally, if you’re exhaust system is defective, you’re liable to annoy your Johnsburg neighbors. These are all good reasons to maintain your car’s exhaust system in optimal condition.