How to Check if a Car Has a Catalytic Converter?
2 Answers
The safest method is to take the car to a reliable repair shop and use a lift to check if the catalytic converter is still present underneath the chassis. Additionally, if the vehicle lacks a catalytic converter, the exhaust sound will be noticeably louder, and the exhaust fumes will emit a very unpleasant odor. Here is some information about catalytic converters: 1. Composition: The interior of a catalytic converter contains metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. 2. Function: Platinum, rhodium, and palladium effectively catalyze nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in the exhaust. Vehicles equipped with catalytic converters will not produce strong-smelling exhaust. Of course, a strong gasoline odor during cold starts is a normal phenomenon.
As a car enthusiast, when I want to check the catalytic converter on a friend's car, I first look for the production year label on the door frame or in the engine bay. Cars produced after 1975 generally have one installed due to stricter environmental regulations. Then, I crouch down to inspect the exhaust system – the round canister in the middle is the catalytic converter, responsible for cleaning up exhaust emissions. Older cars without it have strong exhaust smells and poor fuel efficiency. I recommend checking the VIN code when buying used cars; just input it into a mobile app to verify configurations and avoid scams. Once, my car's catalytic converter got clogged, making the engine struggle, but replacing it saved me a lot on fuel costs. Regular inspections are essential, and don’t forget to check the air filter during maintenance.
