Cars are made up of many moving parts that many of us simply do not fully understand. Keeping this in mind, it is best to figure out what something like a catalytic converter does and why keeping it clean is a must. So, what is your catalytic converter, and why should you keep it clean? Keep reading to find out.
What Is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter is part of your exhaust. It takes in the bad fumes full of chemicals and pollution from the engine and filters it to remove some of those pollutants that might be present. The air is then put out of the exhaust system, and it has been cleaned to a certain extent.
Your catalytic converter works to help ensure that your car’s exhaust is as clean as possible. Most states do require that you have an emissions test done to see just how much your car is putting off and to make sure that it is within legal limits.
Catalytic converters contain valuable metals, are easy to remove, and fetch a rather high price on resale. That is why thieves do tend to try and remove these from cars to resell.
How Often Should You Clean Your Catalytic Converter?
You should be cleaning your catalytic converter about four to five times a year. You can do this with an additive that you put into the gas tank that will cycle through the converter to clean it. This will be much easier to do than you think, and it can also help clean the rest of the engine.
What Are the Signs of a Clogged Catalytic Converter?
You can watch for some signs to determine if your catalytic converter is clogged or not. The first is that your check engine light will come on. If your check engine light comes on you do need to get it checked.
If you are having trouble starting your car, it might be because it is not getting enough air, and it is not going to start because of that issue. You may also notice that your car is getting very poor fuel economy, that your car smells very bad, and the exhaust is much stronger than it normally is. The last thing you might notice is that your car has failed the emissions test.
If you notice any of these issues, you can try cleaning it to see if that helps the clog. If you are still having trouble, you may have to have the catalytic converter professionally cleaned or replaced if damaged. Your mechanic can better tell you what is going on and can help you get your car back in operating order.