Do National IV Vehicles Have Three-Way Catalytic Converters?
2 Answers
National IV vehicles are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. Below is relevant information about three-way catalytic converters: Working Principle: When high-temperature vehicle exhaust passes through the purification device, the purifying agents in the three-way catalytic converter enhance the activity of CO, HC, and NOx gases, promoting certain oxidation-reduction chemical reactions. CO is oxidized into colorless, non-toxic carbon dioxide gas at high temperatures; HC compounds are oxidized into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide; and NOx is reduced into nitrogen and oxygen. These three harmful gases are transformed into harmless gases, thereby purifying the vehicle exhaust. Maintenance Cycle: Typically, the three-way catalytic converter should be cleaned every 30,000 kilometers driven. It is also advisable to clean the three-way catalytic converter before the annual vehicle inspection to ensure smooth passage of the exhaust emission test.
From my understanding of automotive emission standards, China 4 compliant vehicles are definitely equipped with three-way catalytic converters, as they became mandatory for new vehicles around 2008. This device is installed in the exhaust pipe and works wonders by converting harmful emissions like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water, making the exhaust cleaner. It uses precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium as catalysts, enabling highly efficient chemical reactions at high temperatures. If the catalytic converter fails over time—for example, due to clogging or contamination by impurities—the vehicle's power may decrease, the dashboard warning light may come on, and fuel consumption may increase. It's recommended to inspect the exhaust system every 50,000 to 60,000 kilometers, use high-quality gasoline to avoid poisoning the catalytic converter, and not skimp on costs. This way, driving produces fewer emissions, benefits the environment, and avoids unnecessary headaches, as the China 4 standard requires this configuration for compliance.
