Earnhardt Lexus in Phoenix AZ

Muffler Vs. Resonator: Your Exhaust System At Work

When you think of Lexus and other luxury cars, you think of a quiet, smooth ride. This is thanks, in part, to the muffler and the resonator which work together to lower exhaust sounds. Do you need muffler repair Phoenix AZ? Keep reading to find out.


Mufflers are used to quiet exhaust volume across all RPMs or revolutions per minute while the resonator prevents unwanted resonance or droning noise which happens within a particular RPM range. These components are part of the total exhaust system and do much more than just quiet sound.


Your car’s exhaust system dispels dangerous fumes away from the interior of your car while also quieting the sound from the engine. If you need this type of Phoenix AZ car repair, you should head to Earnhardt Lexus service center.


What Is The Muffler?

The muffler is typically located underneath your vehicle at the rear as a part of the exhaust system. It moderates and deadens exhaust sound. Mufflers have perforated tubes or baffles that form multiple chambers which exhaust gases move through. As the gas expands, the tubes reduce the volume by pushing the gases on an indirect route to exit the muffler.


The design of chambers and tubes determines the sound of a car’s exhaust, also known as the exhaust note. Some mufflers have other materials in them like fiberglass in order to help with muffling the sound. If your car has gotten noisy, it’s probably time for muffler repair. Keeping regular service appointments will make sure your car runs smoothly at the level you expect from a luxury brand.


What Is The Resonator?


A muffler cannot take care of the droning sound of exhaust heard inside of your car. This is why it is paired with a resonator to “tune” the exhaust for a more appealing sound. Resonators are located in the vehicle’s exhaust system, essentially between the catalytic converter and the muffler. While not all trucks and cars have resonators, all Lexus and other luxury models have them.


The resonator is a complement to the muffler in that it removes high-pitched noises along with annoying hums and buzzes. It creates a smoother exhaust note, but doesn’t affect volume. The resonator is designed to eliminate sounds at a particular frequency which bounce off the inside of the device canceling each other. This is what gets rid of the annoying droning creating a pleasant exhaust note.For car owners who hear a drone within a particular RPM range when driving, a resonator may be the answer to correcting it.

If your car needs muffler repair, please schedule service. Don’t let your car exhaust system become a danger to your health.


Earnhardt Lexus

800 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Driving Directions
Sales 480-421-4230
Service 480-990-2200
Parts 480-421-4160
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