If you drive a Toyota Prius, you are at the highest risk of having the catalytic converter stolen from underneath the automobile because it is made of precious metal. Uptown Imports can replace your catalytic converter if it has been sawed away from the exhaust system. Below are signs that you no longer have a catalytic converter underneath your imported automobile.
Roaring Engine
When you turn on your Toyota or other import, the engine is going to roar loudly because the catalytic converter is missing. Although the converter is technically not a muffler, it helps to muffle the sound of the exhaust being pushed out of the engine. With the converter missing, this roaring sound is extremely loud and gets louder when you accelerate.
Acceleration Trouble
Speaking of acceleration, if you decide to drive your import, which we don’t recommend, you will notice that the acceleration is very jerky. This is because the force of the exhaust is no longer being absorbed by the catalytic converter. This can make your import jerk when you pick up speed. We will need to replace the converter to restore smooth acceleration.
Slow-Speed Problems
We will also need to replace the converter so your import operates smoothly when you are driving at slower speeds. Unfortunately, when the catalytic converter is not underneath the automobile, the engine has trouble producing low-end torque. Consequently, your import will sputter until you pick up enough speed that you are using high-end torque.
Check Engine Warning
Naturally, all of these things along with the missing catalytic converter are going to turn on the check engine light on your dashboard. There is no way around this because the engine control unit will be inundated with error codes from the system sensors. The missing catalytic converter causes problems with your engine’s performance and the exhaust.
Strong Exhaust Odors
Specifically, there will be a huge increase in your exhaust’s hydrocarbons because the catalytic converter is no longer there to treat them and convert them into safer emissions. Consequently, your exhaust will smell strong and be dangerous. Even worse, because the catalytic converter is not there to route it through the rest of the exhaust system, it will end up floating into the passenger cabin. This can make you sick when you are driving your import and is the reason why we recommend you avoid driving the vehicle until a new catalytic converter is installed.
Uptown Imports in Minneapolis, MN, can do this, so call us today.