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Car catalytic converter : what is it for and how to prolong its service life?

Car catalytic converter is a device used to reduce the level of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases of automobiles. It plays a key role in the exhaust aftertreatment system and is an integral part of modern vehicles with internal combustion engines.

How it works

A catalyst works on the basis of chemical reactions that take place inside it. It contains special metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium that help speed up the reactions without changing its chemical composition. Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are present in the exhaust gases. The catalyst converts these dangerous substances into less harmful ones:

– Carbon monoxide (CO) is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2).

– Hydrocarbons (HC) are converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

– Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are converted into nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).

The main purpose of the catalytic converter is to reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. This is important not only to protect the environment, but also to comply with environmental legislation. Many countries, including the UAE, have strict emission requirements, and having an effective catalytic converter helps cars meet these standards.

It is also worth noting that it helps to improve the overall efficiency of the engine. Proper combustion of fuel allows the engine to run more economically.

In general, since the catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system, it is robust, has all the properties necessary for normal existence in an aggressive environment and does not require special maintenance. However, it can be subject to destruction as a result of various factors, such as prolonged use, improper use of the vehicle or exposure to external substances. To prolong its service life, it is important to follow a few rules.

Here are some recommendations:

1. Use quality fuel

This is one of the most important factors affecting the life of your catalytic converter. Poor quality fuel can contain harmful additives that cause the catalyst to wear out quickly, build up deposits, and even clog the catalyst. The precious metals contained in the catalyst are sensitive to lead. Therefore, it is necessary to refuse refueling with leaded gasoline.

2. Signs of ignition misses in the engine signal the need to refrain from operating the vehicle until it is fully repaired.

3. Blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe also indicates that the use of the vehicle is undesirable.

4. Prolonged heat emission from the exhaust system after the engine has been turned off is an indication of a problem.

5. Pay attention to the errors your vehicle is displaying and use a diagnostic scanner to check for trouble codes (DTCs) in the vehicle’s system. This will help you determine if the problem is directly related to the catalytic converter.

6. Try to protect the catalytic converter from mechanical influences, e.g. avoid aggressive driving, hard acceleration and braking can negatively affect the condition of the catalytic converter and increase the stress on all components of the vehicle. Frequent trips on short distances also harm it, as the engine may not have time to warm up to the optimum operating temperature.

7. Do not cover the insulation with paint.

8. Frequent diagnostics and maintenance checks to detect problems in time.

Depending on the condition of the catalytic converter, you may need to replace or repair it completely. Contact only qualified specialists and use original parts.

Professionals at DEIZ are always ready to solve this problem in a high-quality manner!