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When it comes to a car as high-performing and reliable as Audi, any problems that arise under the hood should be taken care of as soon as possible. Not taking your car to be serviced when its due will only lead to future problems and a greater headache for yourself. Don’t settle for a vehicle that isn’t working at its peak efficiency, but rather trust a professional to get your vehicle back to its designed performance.

As far as vehicle issues go, problems with the catalytic converter  is one of the larger issues that could arise. This component is integral to the performance of your vehicle and the overall health of your vehicle. If you suspect that there is a problem with your catalytic converter, take your Audi in to be serviced today.

The Purpose of the Catalytic Converter

To actually understand why you may need to take your catalytic converter into the shop, you need to understand what it does for the vehicle and how the entire system works. In short, the catalytic converter is responsible for removing all the harmful gaseous byproducts that your vehicle may produce.

As you know, car engines run on gasoline or diesel fuel, but the byproducts from burning this fuel can potentially be dangerous for your lungs and the air in general. The catalytic converter breaks down the atoms within the dangerous gas before expelling it as a harmless form into the air.

Typically put into a large metal box, the catalytic converter usually has two pipes connected to it. One of these pipes connects to the engine and brings in the polluted gas, whereas the second pipe is connected to the exhaust and provides an exit for the harmless gas. The catalyst itself is made up of a specific metal that can speed along the process of breaking apart molecules so that the gas can become harmless.

Using reduction and oxidation to depollute gas, the catalytic converter is one of the most important pieces of your car that helps to keep it and the environment safe.

Signs the Catalytic Converter Needs to be Replaced

Fortunately for anybody unsure about whether or not their catalytic converter needs to be replaced, there are a number of important signs to watch for that can let you know it’s time to go into the shop.

The Check Engine Light is On

Your Audi is fairly intuitive, and a problem as large as something with the catalytic converter won’t go unnoticed. If your check engine light is on, your computer may have detected something wrong with the component. This should raise red flags in your mind and force you to keep an eye out for some more of the below signs.

You Smell Weird Things

As mentioned, without the catalytic converter, bad gases may be able to make their way out of the system and into the air. Should you smell a disgusting scent like the smell of rotten eggs, it is a sign that the exhaust expelled from your car is not clean enough by any means.

Dark Exhaust Smoke

Typically, you don’t even see exhaust coming out of your tailpipe besides the heatwaves accompanying it. However, if your catalytic converter is failing, then you may start to actually see the exhaust being expelled. As it gets dirtier and dirtier, that exhaust may become darker and darker, as well as thicker.

Your Gas Mileage Suddenly Got Worse

Problems at the gas pump are also a huge sign of a problem with the catalytic converter. You know your car best, and if you are suddenly getting worse gas mileage, it could be linked to the catalytic converter. As fuel emission becomes less clean, performance is impacted negatively.

Audi Broken Catalytic Converter Problems

European Service Center Will Fix Your Problem

At European Service Center, we understand how much your Audi means to you. We have experience servicing cars for clients from Alpharetta, Chamblee, Cumming, Norcross, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Roswell, and Atlanta, GA. This means that we have the expertise and knowledge needed to fix whatever problem may arise with the catalytic converter on your Audi.

Additionally, our specialty with European brands means that we are likely to have the parts you need to properly repair and replace parts on your vehicle. Give us a call today or come in to see why our name is the best in the business. We are looking forward to earning your trust and patronage.