Your Buick catalytic converter is an amazing environmental-saving device. Without it, our automobiles would be spewing out lead and hydrocarbons into the environment, leading to health and environmental destruction. When the catalytic converter became standard equipment in most cars, the use of leaded gasoline dropped dramatically, which also helped dramatically reduce pollution levels in the air and ground. The catalytic converter takes the icky pollution molecules flowing from the engine combustion process to your exhaust, then converts them into harmless compounds. The final result is that your car emits carbon dioxide, which is the same mixture that we expire in our breath; nitrogen, and water vapor. The conversion is done by sending the exhaust gas through a filter - usually a honeycomb structure made of metal - where certain metals are imbedded. These metals, which are usually platinum, palladium and rhodium, act as catalysts (hence the name of the component!) to start a chemical reaction that smashes the molecules of pollutants and re-creates harmless molecules. In most modern Buick models, the emissions system relies on three-way catalytic converters, which is a reference to the three groups of pollutants that are treated: These are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. By purchasing a new, high-quality catalytic converter from our site, you can be assured that you are helping keep the air clean and pure.