What is the purpose of cleaning a car's three-way catalytic converter?

[ThomasRose]

Cleaning a car's three-way catalytic converter helps improve engine performance and reduces frequent alarms from the exhaust system's oxygen sensor. The three-way catalytic converter is an important external purification device installed in the vehicle's exhaust system. It converts harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx emitted from automobile exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. The working principle of a car's three-way catalytic converter is as follows: when high-temperature exhaust gases pass through the purification device, the catalyst in the converter enhances the activity of CO, HC, and NOx, promoting specific oxidation-reduction chemical reactions. CO oxidizes at high temperatures into colorless, non-toxic carbon dioxide gas; HC compounds oxidize into water and carbon dioxide; and NOx is reduced into nitrogen and oxygen. These three harmful gases are transformed into harmless substances, thereby purifying the vehicle's exhaust emissions.