What are the symptoms of a clogged exhaust pipe?

[DelRicardo]

The symptoms of a clogged exhaust pipe include: 1. Reduced vehicle acceleration power; 2. Frequent forced downshifting of automatic transmissions; 3. Slight backfire during sudden engine acceleration or unusual noises from the vehicle; 4. A rattling sound from the exhaust system during sudden acceleration or rapid throttle release. Methods for maintaining the exhaust pipe include: 1. Regularly inspecting the exhaust pipe; 2. Paying attention to the sounds from the exhaust pipe; 3. Frequently checking for foreign objects inside the exhaust pipe. Types of exhaust pipes are categorized as: 1. Standard OEM pipes; 2. Semi-backpressure pipes; 3. Backpressure pipes; 4. Straight-through pipes; 5. Semi-straight-through pipes.

[MacValerie]

My old car has been running for eight years, and the exhaust pipe has clogged twice—the symptoms were way too obvious. The power just drops instantly; even with the pedal to the metal, the speed won’t pick up, and the engine gets unusually sluggish and overheated. Last time it clogged, fuel consumption shot up by 20%, and the tachometer needle went haywire. The scariest part was the loud banging noises underneath, like muffled explosions. When it was partially blocked, black smoke poured from the tailpipe, but when fully clogged, the car just stalled on the road. This kind of issue needs immediate repair—otherwise, the catalytic converter could get fried, making things even worse.

[JuniperRose]

Last time my cousin's car had a blocked exhaust pipe, and I helped drive it to the repair shop. The biggest takeaway was how violently the steering wheel shook, and there was always a buzzing vibration sound from the engine bay. Pressing the accelerator was especially strenuous, and the speed just wouldn’t go up when overtaking. The mechanic said the abnormal cylinder pressure was due to poor exhaust flow, which also triggered the engine warning light on the dashboard. After driving for over ten kilometers, I even smelled something burning, and the exhaust pipe was so hot you could fry an egg on it. However, such issues are quick to fix—either replacing a small part or clearing the pipe will do the trick.

[VanElizabeth]

I once rode in a colleague's car with a clogged exhaust pipe, and the experience was truly frustrating. The car was constantly filled with the smell of gasoline, and the body shook noticeably at idle, especially after turning on the AC. The power loss was significant—it almost rolled back on a hill start. The weirdest part was the exhaust sound, which became like a tractor, rattling loudly. The mechanic mentioned that a clogged exhaust pipe affects combustion efficiency, and in severe cases, exhaust gases can backflow into the cabin, leading to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. In such cases, it's best to call a tow truck immediately.