Does every car have a catalytic converter?
3 Answers
Not all cars are equipped with catalytic converters, but currently produced vehicles generally have them. In earlier years, vehicles manufactured in China that did not meet the National II emission standards were not equipped with catalytic converters. Definition of a catalytic converter: A catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in a vehicle's exhaust system. It converts harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx emitted from the vehicle's exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. Cleaning a catalytic converter: The cleaning method for a catalytic converter involves using an intravenous drip. This method connects a plastic hose to the engine's vacuum solenoid valve and relies on the air pressure in the hollow tube to draw the cleaning agent from the infusion bottle into the engine. As the cleaning agent exits through the exhaust pipe, it cleans the catalytic converter. Lifespan of a catalytic converter: The lifespan of a catalytic converter typically ranges between 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. The exact lifespan depends on the vehicle's usage conditions, as well as the quality of fuel used and the driving environment.
Actually, most gasoline-powered vehicles nowadays are equipped with catalytic converters, which are installed in the exhaust system specifically to treat exhaust emissions. When I took my old Toyota for inspection, the mechanic said the emissions would definitely exceed standards without a catalytic converter. However, pure electric vehicles really don’t have this component since they don’t burn gasoline. Recently, my neighbor bought a used car cheaply, and black smoke poured out of the exhaust pipe upon starting—it turned out the seller had secretly removed the catalytic converter. I recommend that when buying a car, you step on the accelerator to listen to the sound. A normal car’s exhaust note is muffled, while a car without a catalytic converter will make a sputtering noise.
Having run an auto repair shop for over a decade, nearly every vehicle I've handled comes equipped with a catalytic converter. This device transforms toxic exhaust gases into water and carbon dioxide – without it, passing annual emissions tests would be impossible. The real concern is converter clogging; using substandard gasoline can shatter its internal ceramic substrate. Last week, a Volkswagen couldn't accelerate even at full throttle, and upon disassembly, we found broken ceramic pieces blocking the exhaust pipe. Nowadays, some tuners remove converters to boost horsepower, but these modified vehicles emit a rotten-egg sulfur smell that's guaranteed to attract police attention.
