Do Exhaust Tips Change the Sound of a Car or Make it Louder?

You’re probably considering buying an exhaust tip for your ride because you want to make the tailpipe look better without having to buy and install a new one. But can a set of exhaust tips make your vehicle louder? Let’s find out.

Do Exhaust Tips Make Your Car Louder?

The simple answer is “No,” because you’re not doing anything to the engine or exhaust system except adding a few inches of length with a possible downturn at the end. The primary reason drivers install a set of exhaust tips is for the enhanced appearance the tips provide—not to make their vehicle louder.

In some cases, however, exhaust tips can slightly alter your vehicle’s exhaust note, the noises made by engine exhaust gases as they pass through the various parts of the exhaust system. Depending on certain factors like length, an exhaust tip can make the exhaust note sound different from before. Your vehicle won’t be louder, but it may sound deeper than before installing the accessory.

Keep in mind that exhaust tips are not the most effective parts that can alter the exhaust note. If you want your ride’s exhaust to sound much deeper, you’re better off ordering a new muffler. That’s because exhaust parts like the mufflers, resonators, and pipes play much bigger roles in setting the exhaust note.

That being said, the muffler can change exhaust backpressure, which, on some vehicles, is an element of the EGR system’s operation. If the muffler has more backpressure than the original (and usually performance mufflers won’t), power and fuel economy can be negatively impacted.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: But on vehicles that use exhaust backpressure to calculate or regulate EGR flow, you may get a check engine light specifically due to the changes you made in the exhaust. That can be a headache if you’re in an area that does yearly emissions inspections.

Using Exhaust Tips to Change How Your Ride Sounds

Below are some ways that you can alter the sound made by your car’s engine exhaust through the exhaust tips.

Note: Keep in mind that the tips typically only provide a slight change in sound when used in conjunction with an upgraded exhaust. Installing a set of tips by themselves is unlikely to change your vehicle’s sound.

Exhaust Tip Diameter

Installing an exhaust tip with a wider or narrower diameter than the tailpipe can change the exhaust note. Make sure there is a significant difference between the tip’s diameter and the tailpipe’s diameter for the tip to have an audible effect on the engine noise.

A wider exhaust tip can increase the throatiness of the sounds made by the engine and exhaust. In contrast, a narrower exhaust tip can make the vehicle sound raspier.

Down-Turned Exhaust Tips

While most exhaust tips point directly backward like the tailpipe they adorn, some tips aim their openings at the ground. These down-turned exhaust tips offer a unique method for reducing exhaust noise.

Long Exhaust Tips

Sound takes time to cover any distance and the short wavelength of high-frequency sounds means these unpleasant sounds have a higher chance of canceling themselves than lower-pitched sounds. Thus, a long exhaust system is more capable of disrupting unpleasant sounds.

In conclusion, exhaust tips offer a fairly easy, safe, and affordable way to improve your ride’s appearance. When used in conjunction with an upgraded exhaust system, the tips may also alter the tone of the exhaust slightly. Consider getting this accessory if you want to change the way your vehicle’s exhaust looks.

Where to Get Exhaust Tips for Your Vehicle

An exhaust tip will only enhance your daily driver’s looks. So if you’re looking for a mean performance upgrade, consider shopping for high-quality exhaust parts right here at CarParts.com.

Sourced from only the most trusted aftermarket brands today, our selection of high-quality exhaust tips is designed to last the lifespan of your vehicle. Our parts are carefully handpicked by industry professionals, so you’re sure to get products that are made from the finest materials available.

Shop without any hassle when you use our website’s vehicle selector. Simply enter your vehicle’s specifications to narrow down the catalog to compatible exhaust parts for your ride. You can also use the search filters to shop according to your preferred brand, price range, and more.

Do you need help completing your online order? We’ve got you covered. Call our toll-free hotline anytime, and our round-the-clock customer service representatives will be ready to assist you.

Place your order in a matter of minutes, and get the parts you need delivered straight to your doorstep in as fast as two business days.

Enjoy quality products at affordable prices when you shop at CarParts.com!