Yes, if you’re muffler is failing, the neighbors can’t help but notice. People walking on sidewalks can tell. And folks in other cars turn up their radios so they can hear above the racket your car is making. But it’s not a calamity. And fixing your exhaust doesn’t have to be exhausting.

If your car’s exhaust system gets bad enough, Santa in a blue uniform, with flashing lights on the roof of his sleigh, my add you to his list of tickets. But that’s not the only reason to fix your exhaust. And there’s another reason beyond bothering the neighbors and folks about town.

Another reason to fix that loud muffler and exhaust system is because of the potential for fumes to work up into the cabin where you and your loved ones sit. If this happens, while it is a potentially dangerous condition, at the very least, you’re liable to have headaches.

Beyond health concerns associated with a leaking exhaust system, the problem can also affect your engine’s performance.

An exhaust system is engineered as part of the vehicle. It’s designed to create a certain amount of backpressure as the engine runs. But a leaky exhaust won’t create as much backpressure. The engine may not run as efficiently.

A less efficient engine may not do as well in terms of fuel efficiency. In other words, you may not get the same gas mileage you’re used to.

The engine may not run as smoothly. You could foul sparkplugs sooner. The engine could stall (and, if it stalls at a bad moment, this could create another kind of danger). In the meantime, you may cause greater wear and tear on the engine.

When the exhaust is leaking, it can affect the engine in such a way that your engine light will come on. And a leaking exhaust will not do well when you bring your car in for an emissions test. But don’t worry.

A qualified auto repair shop will quickly identify the problem with your exhaust and will quickly rectify the problem. And that’s good news when Santa Claus is coming to town and long after he makes his Christmas Eve rounds.