• Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Home & Garden
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
  • Video
  • Shows
  • Blogs
  • Quizzes
  • Games
  • Random Article
  • Auto Basics
  • Auto Parts & Systems
  • Auto Racing
  • Buying & Selling
  • Car Models
  • Driving & Safety
  • Fuel Efficiency
  • Motorcycles
  • Trucks
  • Under the Hood
  • Home > 
  • Auto > 
  • Under the Hood > 
  • Exhaust & Emissions

by Karim Nice

Print
Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article:

Nice, Karim.  "How Mufflers Work"  19 February 2001.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/muffler.htm>  10 February 2012.
Cite
Feedback

Be Your Own Mechanic

Car Maintenance Videos
Car Maintenance Videos
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Mufflers Work
  2. Where Does the Sound Come From?
  3. How Can You Cancel Out Sound?
  1. Inside a Muffler
  2. The Resonator
  3. Backpressure and Other Types of Mufflers
  4. See more »
    1. Active Noise-Canceling Mufflers
    2. Lots More Information
    3. See all Exhaust & Emissions articles

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles

  • How Turbochargers Work
  • How Catalytic Converters Work
  • How Automobile Ignition Systems Work
  • How NASCAR Race Cars Work
  • How Hearing Works
  • How Speakers Work
  • How do exhaust headers work to improve engine performance?
  • How do I know when a catalytic converter on my car is no longer functioning properly?
  • What causes a sonic boom?
  • Stability Control
  • The 1967 Pontiac GTO Explained
  • The 1969 Chevy Camaro Z28 Explained
  • The 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans-am Explained
  • The 1965 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Explained

More Great Links

  • Exhaust Theory
  • The Trademark Registrability of the Harley-Davidson Roar: A Multimedia Analysis
  • AutoSpeak: Library of Sounds - Includes sounds from cars, trucks, sports cars and racing machines
  • Applications of Active Noise Control
  • GM Goodwrench Videos
VIDEO: Check out in-depth videos on pistons and 10 ingenious car parts videos.>>
Previous Page

More Great Links

Top 10 Green Driving Tips
Top 10 Green Driving Tips
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
5 Scariest Stunt Car Feats
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
The Ultimate CarStuff Fan Quiz
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
10 Most Expensive Classic Cars
Watch American Chopper videos >>

You Might Also Like

How does nitrous oxide help an engine perform better?

I'm always hearing people talk about pumping nitrous oxide into an engine. How does nitrous oxide help an engine perform better?

What's the connection between compression ratio and fuel economy?

Some of the latest gasoline engines to hit the market are super-efficient, thanks to their engineers playing with a little thing called compression ratio.

Popular Articles

  • 5 Engine Oil Myths
  • How can I make my tires last longer?
  • How Stirling Engines Work
Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Mufflers Work
  2. Where Does the Sound Come From?
  3. How Can You Cancel Out Sound?
  4. Inside a Muffler
  5. The Resonator
  1. Backpressure and Other Types of Mufflers
  2. Active Noise-Canceling Mufflers
  3. Lots More Information
  4. See all Exhaust & Emissions articles
Previous Page

Top Videos

FPO
  • Car Maintenance Videos
  • Destroyed In Seconds Videos
  • Wrecks to Riches Videos
  • Muscle Car Videos

HowStuffWorks Games

FPO
  • Word Bubbles
  • Bike Build Game
  • Lost in Migration
  • Cannon Challenge
  • Speed Match

Related Content

Prices: Mufflers

  • 3A Racing Genuine Carbon Universal Bullet Slant Muffler - 63-0428
    3A Racing Genuine Carbon Universal Bullet Slant Muffler - 63-0428

    3A racing mufflers feature large internal flow tubes that improve exhaust flow and reduce backpressure. Their fiberglass matting technology absorbs unwanted interior resonance while maintaining a mellow performance tone. This free-flowing performance muffler helps increase your car's horsepower and produces a deep performance sound. Installation requires welding.Product Features:High-quality genuine carbon constructionDeep aggressive to moderate exhaust noteConstructed with a seamless design to hold up under the heavy pressure produced by today's high-horsepower performance vehicles. Most Exhaust products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

    $109.99

  • Flowmaster Inc. Muffler Performance - 5010
    Flowmaster Inc. Muffler Performance - 5010

    MPN #5010. Flowmaster Inc. Muffler Performance. Most Exhaust products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

    $454.99

  • MagnaFlow Polished Universal Stainless Steel Performance Mufflers With Tips, Body Shape - 5 in. Round - 14865
    MagnaFlow Polished Universal Stainless Steel Performance Mufflers With Tips, Body Shape - 5 in. Round - 14865

    MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust has universal mufflers available for many applications in various sizes and configurations to fit your needs. Made of 100% stainless steel, these universal mufflers are a great addition since they not only improve your vehicle performance but also give it that show-stopping look. Most Exhaust products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

    $99.99

HOWSTUFFWORKS
  • Adventure
  • Auto
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Science
  • Tech
MORE STUFF
  • Blogs
  • Games
  • HSW Tools
  • RSS
  • Maps
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Newsletters
  • Video
OUR WEBSITES
  • Animal Planet
  • Consumer Guide Auto
  • Consumer Guide Products
  • Discovery Channel
  • Discovery Fit & Health
  • HSW Brazil
  • HSW China HowStuffWorks China
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Oprah Winfrey Network
  • Planet Green
  • Science Channel
  • TLC
  • Discovery Education
  • Store
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Help
CORPORATE
  • About Us
  • Careers @ Discovery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Visitor Agreement
TAKE US WITH YOU
FOLLOW US
© 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc