auto truck roadside emergencies - securing a dragging exhaust system tailpipe or muffler

A dragging tail pipe at the rear end of a car dragging onto road pavement. It sure makes a rush of screeching sound a bright crown of sparks on the concrete of the street or highway. Yet in an emergency driving situation what can a novice driver or auto owner do to secure a dragging exhaust tail pipe in such a roadside driving emergency? That is other than call a tow truck or your auto club or dealer toll free assist line on your handy cell phone for vehicle emergency assistance?

Over time and driving miles corrosion, especially from roadside salt placed by municipal road crews to melt winter road and highway ice and slush, can weaken a car or truck’s exhaust system supports of hangers and brackets allowing the tail pipe to drag along the road.

If you hear a grating sound from the rear of the car, truck of SUV, first and foremost park on level ground or as level or on as level ground as you can find as quickly as possible. Turn off the ignition by turning the key to the “off position” promptly. Allow the engine and exhaust system to cool down fully. Make sure the automatic transmission is in “P” or “Park”. With a manual tranny – put it in neutral and engage the parking brake fully.

After allowing both the engine and exhaust system and muffler to cool down so that they are no more than warm to the touch you can go on to the next steps to get you on your way down the road and on your travels.

To support the tail pipe, loop flexible wire around it and a nearby part of the car frame. Alternatively lash to a trailer hitch if one is installed on your vehicle or to a towing hook. If you need to raise the car with the help of the emergency jack of your vehicle, which in most cars is located in the trunk by the auto manufacturer at the factory under the donut spare tire. If the tire and hoisting kit has been used at some point since the car was new you might have to hunt around the trunk for the jack. However one major word of caution and safety – never ever crawl under the car to do these repairs.

Better to park your car on the road, call a tow truck or auto club emergency line and have your vehicle towed to the nearest ( or most reasonably priced in the area) service station or auto dealership service department. One of trick of auto service staff in such a situation is to drive a front wheel up onto a roadside curb to give you ready access to the exhaust system muffler and tail pipe or pipes.

When completing these temporary repairs ensure that no part of the exhaust system touches the fuel lines or brake lines. It must be stressed that at no time should you consider these repairs as anything but a stopgap temporary repair to get you to the next stop of a professional auto mechanic’s or dealership service department proper repair of your car or truck’s exhaust system. It is dangerous and unsafe to drive for an extended fashion in this manner. Again to stress to the auto owner or driver. This is at best a temporary auto repair remedy only. Drive with your window open so that if the tail pipe comes loose and drags again that you can hear it quickly. Next have the auto’s exhaust system professionally repaired.

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Frances T. Russel Derrick Dodge Highest Sales Volumes in Canada Dodge Chrysler high volume purchasing power mean lowest prices for auto buyers consumers Edmonton Jeep Jeeps Fort Mc Muray 2010 Dodge Avenger Edmonton Auto Finance Loan Calculator Alberta Canada Online

(saran). Submitted on Sun, 8 Jan 2012 Time: 8:30 AM

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