Your Pontiac catalytic converter handles the job of transforming pollutants in your exhaust into harmless vapors. Normally, a catalytic converter should last at least 100,000 miles, if not the entire lifespan of your car. But heat stress and malfunctions in the exhaust system will strain the capacity of your catalytic converter. The symptoms of failure in a catalytic converter mimic the same problems seen when other exhaust components fail, such as the oxygen sensor and fuel injectors. You might sense a little hesitation or bucking when you hit the gas pedal, and a warning light appears in your dashboard. The gas mileage has dwindled, and you might fail an emissions test. The failure occurs because the catalytic converter cannot stop the emissions of dangerous pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants are converted into harmless vapors with the help of the catalytic elements: platinum, palladium and rhodium. They are placed in a honeycomb-like filter, and the pollutants react against them as the gases are pushed through the converter. As a result of the chemical reaction, the gases are formed into water vapor, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Then, the residue from the conversion is checked by the oxygen sensor as the exhaust flows into the exhaust pipe. The data from the oxygen sensor tells the ECU how to adjust the air-to-fuel mix in the combustion chamber. When one of these processes fails, it is time to replace your Pontiac catalytic converter with a new unit purchased from our site.