Posted on 9/26/2025

If you've noticed your car using more fuel than usual, but you haven’t changed your driving habits or routine, a hidden issue could be affecting your engine's performance. One often-overlooked culprit is the catalytic converter. This emissions control component plays a crucial role in keeping your vehicle running clean and efficient. When it becomes clogged or blocked, it can quietly rob you of fuel economy while creating strain on the rest of your engine. Let’s break down how this important part works, why it might become blocked, and what that means for your gas mileage. What the Catalytic Converter Actually Does The catalytic converter sits in your exhaust system and helps reduce harmful gases by converting them into less harmful emissions before they exit the tailpipe. It uses a chemical reaction involving precious metals like platinum and palladium to change pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides into carbon dioxi ... read more