The catalytic converter is an essential element of your Toyota car’s exhaust system. It reduces pollution by converting harmful exhaust smoke into carbon dioxide and water molecules.
Unfortunately, vehicles are also a prime target for thieves. Some models are more vulnerable than others to theft, such as certain hybrids and large pickup trucks.
What is a catalytic converter?
Catalytics are an essential element of your North Charlotte Toyota car’s emissions control system. They convert harmful exhaust smoke (containing oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons) into less hazardous gasses like water vapor or carbon dioxide through chemical reaction.
They first appeared in the 1970s and quickly spread throughout society. At that time, EPA regulations made them mandatory for gasoline-powered vehicles in an effort to keep air cleaner.
Rare metals in catalytic help convert smog-causing pollutants into less hazardous compounds, making them attractive to thieves who will steal your converter for a quick profit at the scrapyard or recycler.
Why is my catalytic converter bad?
The converter is an essential element of your car’s emissions control system, helping it meet EPA standards by filtering out exhaust smoke that’s highly polluting.
This process involves oxidizing harmful hydrocarbons and turning them into safer compounds like water and carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, if your Toyota converter is damaged, it won’t do its job correctly and could require costly repairs to fix.
Your catalytic converter is made of ceramic honeycomb and can be damaged if you run over potholes or come across other road debris. Once it breaks, small pieces of it may fall away and clog your engine’s exhaust system.
How do I know if my catalytic converter is bad?
Your converter is an integral component of your car’s exhaust system, helping to reduce air pollution by converting hazardous emissions into non-polluting gases.
Catalytic can last the lifetime of your car, but they may still malfunction due to wear and tear or engine performance issues.
If your car is emitting a foul smell after driving or you see dark smoke coming from the exhaust, this could be indicative of an issue with its catalytic.
Another sign of a defective catalytic is reduced gas mileage. This occurs because an inadequate catalytic reduces oxygen flow into the engine, forcing it to work harder and consume more fuel.
How do I know if I need a catalytic converter replacement?
When your catalytic is functioning optimally, all gases and chemicals that exit your exhaust system are broken down into safe compounds. This is an excellent way to increase gas mileage, reduce emissions, and enhance air quality.
However, sometimes your catalytic converter may need replacing. It could be clogged with carbon deposits, causing the catalytic process to run slowly or even stop altogether.
A clogged catalytic will also cause your engine’s oxygen and fuel-air ratio sensors to think there is too much air and not enough fuel, leading to poor performance and more frequent fill-ups.
Another sign that your converter may be failing is if the check engine light comes on more frequently than usual. Modern engines have sensors which monitor exhaust gases and illuminate the check engine light when they detect an issue.
How much does a catalytic converter replacement cost?
The cost of a catalytic converter replacement varies depending on your vehicle’s make and model. A new OEM catalytic converter will be the most costly option, though there are cheaper aftermarket alternatives available as well.
The catalytic converter in your vehicle’s exhaust system filters harmful gases that could otherwise escape into the atmosphere, helping it pass emissions tests.
Fortunately, most catalytic converters last a long time. However, they may eventually malfunction if they become dirty or clogged with debris.
Catalytic converters are made of precious metals to filter out gases and pollutants. They may be made with platinum, palladium and rhodium.