Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converters are on most cars today.  Catalytic converters help to lower emmisions and lower the production of harmful gases and fumes from cars emmissions.

The catalytic converter looks like a muffler and is located in the exhaust system and has a shell of stainless steel protecting it. Catalytic converters have platinum, palladium, or rhodium. Catalytic converters reduce emission levels in the gasses which come out of a car’s exhaust. Catalytic converters convert harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of oxygen to safer substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. The catalytic converter uses oxygen and fuel to start up the internal catalyst within the catalytic converter. This then in turn consumes the harmful gasses which are produced through the waste or exhaust of the engine. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON sign relates to the catalytic converter producing a large quantity of smog. If the light from the SERVICE ENGINE SOON sign flashes then this could lead to lower power and also overheating.




Note: some cars may come with one to two catalytic converters. You need to get a smog check every two years according to the california state vehicle laws.