A leaky exhaust system in your vehicle is dangerous because it can cause:
- A loss of hearing.
- Pollution.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning. ✓
- Poor engine performance.
Answer: C. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
A leaky exhaust system is dangerous because it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Why this is the answer
The handbook warns that cars produce carbon monoxide, a deadly gas, and lists driving with a defective muffler or exhaust system among the things not to do. That places a leaky exhaust directly in the carbon monoxide warning. The passage does not say a leaky exhaust causes hearing loss, pollution in general, or poor engine performance; it ties exhaust defects to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. A loss of hearing. — The handbook's exhaust warning is about carbon monoxide, not about hearing loss.
- B. Pollution. — The passage names carbon monoxide as the specific danger from a defective exhaust, not pollution generally.
- D. Poor engine performance. — The passage does not connect a defective exhaust to poor engine performance; it connects it to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Remember it
Think exhaust leak, carbon monoxide risk: if fumes can escape, deadly gas can reach you.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 14: Additional Safety Tips , p. 68