Types of Catalytic Converters

 

Catalytic converters are an essential part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. They are also a safety feature that controls the emissions by converting the toxic pollutants in your exhaust into less toxic pollutants. There are two primary types of catalytic converters:

-          Two-way converter

-          Three-way converter

The two-way converter is the most frequently used converter in diesel engines and older gasoline-powered vehicles. Its purpose is to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. In the 1980s, three-way converters began replacing the outdated two-way converters for most vehicles. They have the advantage of controlling nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions as well as the carbon based emissions.

When Things go Wrong

It is usually pretty easy to tell when it’s time to change your catalytic converter. Low fuel economy is one of the first and most obvious signs. When your converter starts to fail, your vehicle’s miles per gallon will also begin to noticeably decrease. Reduced engine performance is another giveaway of a faulty exhaust system. Symptoms of this include a stalled engine, jerking motions of the car while driving and decreased acceleration. 

A failing catalytic converter can be easily diagnosed by a mechanic. The sooner you confirm the problem, the sooner you can prevent even bigger issues down the road. Click here to learn more about catalytic converter servicing in Pacific Beach.