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Description: Closely
resembling a muffler in appearance, the catalytic converter is located in the
exhaust system and has an outer shell made of stainless steel. The similarity
with a muffler ends there as catalytic converters contain a catalyst made from
a noble metal such as platinum, palladium or rhodium. A catalyst is defined as
anything that induces or accelerates a change. At least one catalytic converter
has been used on cars since 1975; today, cars may have two or more depending on
the engine configuration and manufacturer.
Purpose: Using its
internal catalyst, a catalytic converter's job is to greatly reduce the level
of harmful emissions in a car's exhaust. Namely, these are carbon monoxide,
hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. All of these emissions are serious health
and environmental hazards, plus they contribute to the formation of
photochemical smog. A catalytic converter changes these poisonous gases to
harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. In a simplistic way, the
catalytic converter can almost be thought of as an engine of its own. The
converter uses fuel and oxygen to "light off" its internal catalyst, which
consumes a large portion of the gases flowing through the converter. Although a
converter greatly reduces emissions, it does not eliminate them altogether.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
Catalytic converters do not require maintenance of their own, but their
long-term livelihood depends on proper care and maintenance of your vehicle. As
an example, if your vehicle begins to run rough, produces smoke from the
tailpipe, or the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light appears, have it
checked out immediately by a professional technician. This is especially true
if the SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE flashes rather than being steadily
lit. Neglecting these warning signs can cause expensive damage to the
converter, requiring replacement. Symptoms of a faulty or failing converter may
include failing an emissions test, poor performance, increased engine
temperature, and bucking or hesitation.
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