Posted on 5/30/2025
When your car hesitates or struggles to accelerate, it’s easy to suspect fuel or ignition problems. However, one component that is often overlooked is the catalytic converter. While it's mainly known for reducing emissions, a failing or clogged catalytic converter can have a direct impact on engine performance—and it may be the reason your vehicle feels sluggish when you hit the gas. Here’s how a bad catalytic converter affects acceleration, what signs to watch for, and when it’s time to get it checked out. What the Catalytic Converter Does The catalytic converter is part of your exhaust system. Its job is to convert harmful gases from combustion into less harmful emissions before they exit the tailpipe. It uses a combination of heat and rare metals to trigger chemical reactions that reduce pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. While it’s great for the environment, the catalytic converter also creates ... read more