The Basics Behind Catalytic Converter Replacement Services at GM Specialist

Located on the underside of your vehicle, the catalytic converter helps clean up vehicle emissions before expelling them into the environment. Catalytic converters contain honeycomb-like structures coated with platinum and palladium that help minimize the harmful effects of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide produced by your vehicle’s engine. These harmful elements pass through two stages: the reduction catalyst stage and the oxidation catalyst stage. During the reduction catalyst stage, nitrogen oxide is converted into oxygen and nitrogen gases while carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon is oxidized in the oxidation catalyst stage. The catalytic converter also relies on the oxygen sensor to detect the correct level of oxygen introduced in the oxidation catalyst stage. Routine exhaust system maintenance can help ensure your catalytic converter is always working optimally and reduce the likelihood of it releasing harmful and often deadly chemicals into the environment, or into the cabin of your vehicle.