Repair 7

Catalytic Converter Information

Catalytic converters are engine exhaust emissions devices installed on vehicles to help reduce the levels of vehicle exhaust emissions. Similar in size and shape to a vehicle exhaust muffler, a catalytic converter is attached directly to a vehicles exhaust system.

Significance

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emissions device installed on vehicle exhaust sytems in order to reduce the levels of engine exhaust emissions, most notably the levels of hydrocarbon emissions. Catalytic converters were first installed on American cars in 1976 in response to growing concerns about vehicle-generated air pollution.

Function

The main function of a catalytic converter is to reduce the amount of exhaust hydrocarbon emissions exiting a cars tail pipe. A catalytic converter is filled with a thin, porous material called catalyst, which is designed to react with and burn flowing engine exhaust gases, thereby re-burning these gases, which leads to a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions.

Fun Fact

Vehicles equipped with catalytic converters require the use of unleaded gasoline. Leaded gasoline damages and destroys the catalyst element located inside a catalytic converter, which renders the converter useless as an exhaust emissions lowering device.

Geography

A catalytic converter is bolted directly to a vehicles exhaust system at a point roughly halfway between the vehicle exhaust manifold and the tail pipe. Located in close proximity to the vehicle muffler on a cars underside, the catalytic converter is normally installed at a point almost directly underneath the drivers side area of a car.

Benefits

Catalytic converter use results in a marked decrease in vehicle exhaust hydrocarbon emissions, emissions that are created when gasoline is burned inside a vehicles engine. Widespread catalytic converter use has significantly reduced the levels of vehicle exhaust emissions since converters became standard vehicle equipment in 1976.