Catalytic Converter
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 32 other vehicles, including the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Mercury Mariner, 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis, 2010 Lincoln Town Car, and 2010 Lincoln Navigator L. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
A catalyst is a material that remains unchanged when it initiates and increases the speed of a chemical reaction. A catalyst also enables a chemical reaction to occur at a lower temperature. The concentration of exhaust gas products released to the atmosphere must be controlled. The catalytic converter assists in this task. It contains a catalyst in the form of a specially treated ceramic honeycomb structure saturated with catalytically active precious metals. As the exhaust gases come in contact with the catalyst, they are changed into mostly harmless products. The catalyst initiates and speeds up heat producing chemical reactions of the exhaust gas components so they are used up as much as possible.