| Catalytic converters have come a long way since the | | | | converters are expensive, people prefer to go for |
| power-sapping pellet catalysts of the 1970s. The | | | | replacement converters manufactured by OEMs. |
| modern honeycomb styled catalytic converters allow | | | | Where is the catalytic converter located? |
| comparatively free flow of exhaust through your car's | | | | The side of the converter towards the engine contains |
| exhaust system, while at the same time cleaning up | | | | a stainless steel container, which receives unsafe toxin |
| harmful pollutants emitted from your engine. Catalytic | | | | gases from the engine. The honeycomb mesh present |
| converters do not last forever, but you are not going | | | | inside the chamber is coated with catalysts like |
| to pass an emissions test without a working catalytic | | | | platinum, aluminum oxide and palladium. These |
| converter. Therefore, you do not have a choice but to | | | | catalysts convert hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide |
| install or replace one. | | | | to carbon dioxide and water vapor. There is a third |
| Why do we need catalytic converters? | | | | lining of platinum and rhodium, which condenses the |
| Fuel burnt in an engine produces harmful gases such | | | | nitrogen oxide. |
| as hydrocarbons; oxides of nitrogen and carbon | | | | Do not use leaded fuel with a converter |
| monoxide, which is not at all safe for the environment. | | | | Whether it is an OEM or any other catalytic converter, |
| At such times the catalytic converters plays the most | | | | it is suggested to use unleaded fuel with it since the |
| significant role by controlling the possible damages to | | | | lead oxide produced in the fuel renders ineffective the |
| the environment. The catalytic converter is installed | | | | lining of the catalyst chemicals. The only reason for |
| between the exhaust line and the muffler where the | | | | using lead in the fuel is for lubrication. These days the |
| chemical coating of the converter works as a catalyst | | | | law has made it compulsory to have Catalytic |
| and changes the poisonous gases into harmless inert | | | | converters. Manufacturers have researched and |
| gases. Preserving its own chemical properties, the | | | | designed special engine parts in order to withstand |
| chemical catalyst increases the speed of the reactions | | | | chemicals and the corrosive temperatures in the parts |
| between two chemicals. | | | | of the engine. |
| OEM catalytic converters, which come with the vehicle | | | | Summary |
| from the manufacturer, sometimes stop functioning | | | | The best part about installing catalytic converters in |
| efficiently. All converters have to be replaced at some | | | | vehicles is that emission of pollutants is reduced by |
| time or the other, but because original catalytic | | | | about 96 percent from pre-control vehicles. |