I drive a 2013 Toyota Corolla, and recently hit a chunk of ice that may have damaged the exhaust. Now it sounds way louder, but I can’t see where the issue is. I can’t get it checked for a few weeks. Is it safe to drive like this (30 minutes to an hour, 5-6 times a week)? Besides the noise and risk of CO2 in the car, could this harm the engine?
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Drive until your ears can’t take it anymore! Joking aside, the real concern is if parts start rusting or breaking off. You don’t want your exhaust falling off while driving.
Tatum said:
Drive until your ears can’t take it anymore! Joking aside, the real concern is if parts start rusting or breaking off. You don’t want your exhaust falling off while driving.
Good to know. I think I can manage for the next couple of weeks, thanks!
Try sliding your phone under the car on a piece of cardboard and record a video. It might help you figure out where the problem is and get a better idea of the repair cost.
JamesPhillips said:
Try sliding your phone under the car on a piece of cardboard and record a video. It might help you figure out where the problem is and get a better idea of the repair cost.
I hadn’t thought of that, thanks! I’ll give it a shot.
Sounds like you accidentally turned your car into what the cool kids want these days. 
Just kidding, but I had to say it.
Take a look underneath to make sure no parts are falling off. If there’s damage before the catalytic converter, it might trip a check engine light eventually, but it won’t hurt drivability. If the upstream oxygen sensor is damaged, that could cause poor engine performance and should be addressed.
Until it puts you to sleep, unintentionally.
Jokes aside, as long as no exhaust is getting into the cabin, it’s usually fine, especially if the leak is after the catalytic converter. Just don’t let it idle for long periods—if the leak is near the manifold, hot gases could melt nearby parts. I’ve seen an old truck catch fire from something like this.
Moving keeps things cooler, but check where the damage is. The flex pipe is a common weak point and might not be obvious right away.