What year do cars need catalytic converters

Depending on the engine and exhaust configuration, a vehicle can have more than one "cat". While catalytic converters require no maintenance during the expected life of a vehicle, they can be damaged by leaded fuel and some additives, which gather on the ceramic coating and render them useless. A broken or failed "cat" will not harm the vehicle, but they are required by law.

Replacement prices run from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. Do you have car maintenance or repair questions? E-mail us: globedrive globeandmail. Follow us on Twitter: globedrive Opens in a new window. Report an error. Editorial code of conduct. Skip to main content.

Search My Stuff What's New 3 12 24 Which year did catalytic converters become a requirement? BlueSmoke Original Poster 4, posts months.

As above, which year is the last one where you can remove a cat if you choose? Catalytic converters are not a requirement, however your car must passed the relevant emissions levels for its age. In reality, that is next to impossible without a cat. RacingTeatray 2, posts months. The catalytic converter breaks down harmful compounds. It consists of a metal casing and there are two ceramic blocks that makeup thousands of microcellular channels that look like a honeycomb.

The ceramic blocks are coated with precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. If you have a diesel vehicle, you need to make sure that the cat converter is being looked after. Failure to maintain these parts can lead to you visiting the dealership often to pay for minor problems. This makes sure that the fuel is burned efficiently, and the amount of water fuel is low.

To clean outgases, the diesel engine uses different systems than the gas engine. These systems are lined up in the diesel converter to make sure that the gases are cleaned properly.

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst — the diesel oxidation catalyst is the system that works more similarly to the system in the gas engine. The DOC is what is used to convert the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide — it also breaks down any um-spent fuel.

This part is made up of platinum and palladium which makes it the most recyclable part. The DFP can capture these particulates also known as soon by using a wall flow monolith. An organic metal is burned to create CO2 and water which helps to break down the hydrocarbons. The DFP uses small amounts of platinum and palladium to help catalyze the reaction. The DPF needs to be at a high temperature to allow the soot to burn and pass through the filter and out the tailpipe.