Exhaust Pipe Rust Concern?

[ClarksonCote]

Does anyone have a feel for whether or not there may be more of a concern with rust on the Volt's exhaust pipe versus standard gas-driven vehicles? Most cars have their engine always running, which I assume makes the exhaust pipe pretty hot, and burns off most moisture on contact.

However, with the Volt the engine is normally NOT running for all those commuting miles, and the water may have a chance to rust the pipe more quickly.

Included here is a picture of my Volt's exhaust pipe after a little over a year of ownership. Is this amount of rust normal and expected? My guess that it probably is, but I figured I would pose the question.

Thanks!

underbody.jpg

[bjhorton2005]

Hmm. I don't want to be alarmist or alarmed but I don't think my 2010 Prius had that much rust on it when I sold it after a year and a half of ownership. I haven't checked my Volt yet, but I will next time it is on the lift. I would think if it were that drastic the service techs would have made note of it.

It could be normal for whatever material they are using. Hopefully just a cosmetic layer of rust... I'll ask my dealership and get their take on it tomorrow.

[Henry_FL]

Gotta love road salt ...

[black88mx6]

Looks like salt based surface rust. I will need to check mine. I have cleaned under there once/twice a month so far. Lots of salt on the road here.

[Brittt1]

Yeah that looks like road salt rust (washes off :-) ). I wouldn't worry about it.

[Kacey Green]

mine didn't look like that, but it was showing signs of turning from a silver-ish color to a brown color just ~1400 on the clock, 3 weeks of ownership

[baltimore17]

The Volt is my fourth car with a stainless steel exhaust. The other three eventually had brown discoloration as well which surprised me. Evidently there are different kinds of stainless steel and, for this non-cosmetic application, some rust can occur. Regardless, I've never had to replace any exhaust system component due to rust perforation on those four cars. My first car, in the days before stainless steel, went through three mufflers and three resonators in 17 years.

[black88mx6]

Didn't know it was stainless. Will have to test that with a magnet.

[Prius2Volt]

GM has always had a history of rusty-looking exhausts. You notice it right in their sales lots with all their cars, just bend down and look. They don't seem to have quicker muffler failures than others, so I guess no harm, but they sure look worse than others.

[ClarksonCote]

Thanks all, sounds like it's not an issue.