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What temperature does car exhaust get?

I know that you're not supposed to touch a car's exhaust system after it's been running. But I have a running bet with a friend about what the temperature of exhaust actually is. How hot does car exhaust get?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Always happy to help with a bet! Car exhaust can reach temperatures of 200 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the vehicle, its exhaust system, and how powerful the engine is.
In high-powered sports cars, the exhaust manifold has even been known to glow with heat, as temperatures can reach up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the heat generated by the engine and the exhaust, coming near the tips when the car is running or just stopped running is extremely dangerous—especially since if you touch the exhaust on your own volition, you won’t be covered by your car insurance or
MedPay
.
And speaking of insurance, you may want to think about going over your policy, especially if you haven’t done so in some time. The easiest way to make sure that you’re getting the best deal on the coverage you need is with the
Jerry
app—we’ll get you customized quotes from top-of-the-line providers so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you.
Best of luck with the bet!
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