Does a New Car's Exhaust Pipe Need Anti-Rust Spray?
3 Answers
New car exhaust pipes do not require anti-rust spray. Exhaust System: The exhaust system generally consists of an exhaust manifold (header), exhaust pipe, flexible connection (bellows), catalytic converter, and muffler. The exhaust system is almost horizontally arranged along the chassis, but the exhaust manifold is connected to the engine and is positioned higher vertically compared to other components of the exhaust system. When water just submerges the exhaust pipe, it cannot enter the engine cylinders. After the water recedes, the water level in the exhaust pipe will definitely drop again, meaning the farther from the exhaust outlet, the lower the water level. At this point, starting the car will not cause water in the exhaust pipe to be sucked back into the engine. After the water recedes, pay attention to the following starting method: Start the car by turning the ignition, but do not press the accelerator and let it idle. During this time, a lot of water will be expelled from the exhaust pipe until it stops dripping. This process won't take long, about 8 minutes.
New car exhaust pipes usually come with anti-rust treatment from the factory, and materials like stainless steel have strong corrosion resistance, so most people don't need to specifically spray anti-rust agents. However, if you frequently drive in rainy areas or near the coast, salt and moisture can accelerate corrosion, causing the exhaust pipe to rust and potentially leak dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, affecting driving safety. I recommend that those who drive frequently in harsh environments apply some anti-rust spray during the new car stage. It's a simple DIY job—just buy a high-quality product and apply it evenly on the surface to prevent problems before they occur. Safety first—don't regret it after issues arise. Don't neglect these small details in new car maintenance. When choosing an anti-rust agent, avoid cheap products that are prone to moisture absorption; those that don't release harmful substances at high temperatures are better.
From a cost-saving perspective, the rustproofing on a new car's exhaust pipe is already adequate, and spraying additional products is purely unnecessary spending. I've calculated that a can of spray costs only a few dozen dollars, which isn't expensive, but the factory materials on a new car are durable enough for the first few years. If there's no rust issue, it's fine—better to spend that money on oil changes or tire maintenance instead. Unless you live by the coast or in an area with salt-based snow removal where corrosion is severe, saving on potential repair costs might be worthwhile in the long run. But in most cases, there's no need to fuss over a new car—if the wrong product is applied and moisture gets trapped, rust could spread faster, leading to greater losses. Maintenance is good, but don’t waste money recklessly. Skipping this expense on a new car won’t cause any harm.
