Does Your Kia Need a New Catalytic Converter?

The catalytic converter is an important part of your car, as its job is to take the harmful gases from exhaust fumes and transform them into less harmful ones. There are indicative signs that will usually show up when you need to drop by your nearest Kia dealer and have it checked out. Here’s a list of some of the signs you should be looking out for.

Does Your Kia Need a New Catalytic Converter?

1. Decline in Engine Performance

This is one of the earliest signs that the exhaust pipe may be getting worn down and need to be replaced soon, so your car’s performance is something to keep a very close eye on in order to catch any problems early. Diminished engine performance will lead to things like slower acceleration, reduced power, and substandard fuel economy.

2. Rattling Sounds Under the Vehicle

When the mesh inside the exhaust system gets worn down by age or fuel mixtures, it can lead to a rattling coming from underneath the car. This rattle is most noticeable when the engine is turned on, so listening for strange sounds when you first turn your engine over is important.

3. Sulfurous Smelling Exhaust

As the exhaust system is important in the transformation of harmful (and odiferous!) gases into less harmful ones, the smell of sulfur may indicate that there is something wrong. When gasoline goes through the combustion process, it releases hydrogen sulfide that the car’s exhaust system then transforms into odorless sulfur dioxide. If there’s a problem with the exhaust system, unburnt fuel may remain, leading to a nasty smell.

4. Check Engine Light Is Activated

Of course, there are many more reasons than just this that cause the check engine light to turn on, but a damaged or worn exhaust system will lead to the car’s oxygen sensor and air-fuel ratio sensor registering that something is wrong. Service center mechanics can easily scan a car to locate any problems, and this may be one of them.

5. Cleaned, Repaired, or Replaced

Not every sign points automatically to needing a replacement; sometimes, it may be as simple as a clogging issue, in which case the service center mechanics can remove it and give your exhaust pipe a good power wash. There are also other elements in the exhaust system that may be causing problems, in which case minor repairs are all that are needed.

6. Preventing Issues

Catching and preventing potential problems is smart, and there are several ways in which you can make sure that your exhaust system will be set. Keeping up with regularly scheduled car maintenance is the best way for issues to be prevented. Changing spark plugs every 50,000 miles will keep carbon buildups from happening, and driving your car at higher speeds for at least 20 minutes once a week will make sure leftover deposits are burned off.

Keeping your car’s engine running at top performance and staying safe from harmful gases are both extremely important, so a functioning exhaust system is mandatory. Come to the Crain Kia Dealer of Fort Smith for excellent car service and maintenance.

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