Genuine Subaru & VW Exhaust Components

Exhaust Systems: Buying Guide and FAQs

What Does One Do?

Helps remove the toxic byproducts of air-and-fuel combustion inside your engine. If your car or SUV didn't have one, its fumes would sicken you and your passengers, pollute the environment, and likely violate not only emissions standards but also some laws.

How Does One Work?

Know how air filters, oil filters, and fuel filters work? It does something similar: it traps pollutants.

First, they pass through the system's catalytic converter, where metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium contain them and split them into nitrogen and oxygen, the former being held back and the latter flowing onward. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are burned up in the process. Meanwhile, a muffler and resonator reduce operational noise while helping make sure air flows as freely as it can, and an exhaust manifold shunts the cleaner gases (mostly C02 and water vapor) down an exhaust pipe, where they enter the muffler's tail pipe, flow out, and scatter into the air.

What are the Signs of a Bad One?

Look for warning lights on the dashboard (e.g., Check Engine) and worsening gas mileage. Listen for unusual noises coming out of the muffler and/or exhaust pipe, and smell for what seems like the odor of rotten eggs.

How Do You Tell What Parts Need Changing and When?

Do an inspection and review its results; swap out whatever is recommended. Otherwise, replace the resonator and/or muffler every 2 to 4 years and the catalytic converter every 100,000 miles.

Why Buy a Genuine OEM Exhaust?

It'll come compatible with your vehicle right from the factory. That's a fitment guarantee that aftermarket parts can't always make.

Where Can I Order Exhaust Parts for My Subaru or Volkswagen?

From the online catalog here at our auto parts store. Just be sure to browse by brand, model, and model year; it'll make it a lot easier to find what's right for what you drive, not to mention help you find it more quickly. Buy now, and we'll ship to your door ASAP; you'll be taking care of repairs before you know it.