Catalytic converters are a requirement for all fuel-powered vehicles these days. As a result, if you’re driving a modern car, chances are your vehicle is equipped with this device.
Catalytic converters help turn harmful substances produced during internal combustion into less toxic ones, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. Therefore, they’re incredibly important in all cars.
Still, many people wonder if their car does, in fact, have a catalytic converter. For example, are Ford Explorers equipped with this type of device? Let’s take a look at this car model.
Do Ford Explorers Have Catalytic Converters?
Ford Explorer is one of the car models that have more than one catalytic converter; in fact, it might have two or four. This is because some models are classified are dual-exhaust vehicles, which means they need two catalytic converters – one for each exhaust pipe.
According to most laws, all fuel-powered automobile vehicles are required to have catalytic converters. So, this means that all Ford Explorers are equipped with this type of device.
Where is the catalytic converter in a Ford Explorer?
On most vehicles, the catalytic converter is found on the underside and is part of the exhaust system. It’s often located between the engine and the muffler, resembling the other quite a lot.
Most Ford Explorers have two or four catalytic converters, depending on the year of production and other factors. Ford Explorers with V8 engines tend to have four catalytic converters, whereas those with V6 engines usually have only two.
All of these catalytic converters are found around the same location as well. If your car has two catalytic converters, one will be found at the front and the other at the back of the vehicle.
Do all Ford Explorers have catalytic converters?
All Ford Explorers are fuel-powered vehicles. As a result, they all come equipped with catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters are meant to turn harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide that are produced during internal combustion into less toxic ones, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Because of that, all types of Ford Explorers have catalytic converters.
The only modern cars that don’t have catalytic converters are fully-electric vehicles. These rely on an electric battery instead of fuel, so there’s no internal combustion happening.
This also means that the car doesn’t produce any emissions, eliminating the need for a catalytic converter.
Ford Explorers aren’t fully-electric or even hybrid vehicles. As a result, they need catalytic converters.
Are catalytic converters on a Ford Explorer easy to steal?
The Ford Explorer car model is an SUV. This type of car is one of the most common targets for thieves since the catalytic converter is easy to access and remove.
Ford Explorers has high ground clearance, leaving lots of room for thieves to get under the vehicle and cut out the catalytic converter.
Catalytic converters are being stolen because the materials they are made of can be sold for high prices, so thieves can make a great profit.
As a result, if you’re a Ford Explorer owner, it’s important to protect your car to avoid paying a lot of money to replace the catalytic converter.
One of the most common ways to prevent catalytic converter theft is to park your car in a private garage that’s locked for public access. That way, you’re greatly lowering the risk that you will have your catalytic converter stolen.
Experts also recommend parking in well-lit areas when you’re out and about, regularly changing your parking spot to deter thieves, and installing anti-theft devices in your garage and on the car itself.
You can also paint the catalytic converter, which will make the parts less valuable, reducing the risk of theft even more.
So, if you’re a Ford Explorer owner, it’s a good idea to utilize some of these anti-theft techniques to stay as safe as possible.
Can you drive a Ford Explorer without a catalytic converter?
All Ford Explorers are fitted with catalytic converters when they leave the factory. This device is also essential to ensure that your car runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
As a result, removing the catalytic converter from a Ford Explorer can make the car run less efficiently than usual.
Technically, any car can run without a catalytic converter, but it’s not a good long-term option.
A catalytic converter has many more functions aside from neutralizing toxic substances produced during internal combustion. For example, it monitors oxygen levels in the exhaust pipe, helps with acceleration, and many others.
If you drive a car without a catalytic converter, you may find that it makes loud noises, produces more exhaust gases than usual, and doesn’t accelerate as it used to.
So, even though it’s possible to drive a car, including a Ford Explorer, without a catalytic converter, it’s not recommended.
Is it illegal to drive a Ford Explorer without a catalytic converter?/
In most regions of the world, the laws about exhaust emissions are very strict. As a result, it’s required by the law that all modern vehicles produced after a certain date are equipped with catalytic converters.
Current exhaust emissions laws apply to most regions of the world and all modern fuel-powered cars, so this includes Ford Explorers too.
As a result, it is illegal to remove the catalytic converters found in a Ford Explorer or tamper with them in any way. In fact, some parts of the world consider doing so a criminal offense, which is very serious.
If you’ve has your catalytic converter stolen, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible to avoid breaking the law and negatively impacting your car’s performance.
During that time, though, it’s possible to use your vehicle without getting fined across the globe.
Conclusion
Just like all modern fuel-powered vehicles, Ford Explorers do have catalytic converters. In fact, this car model might have up to four catalytic converters, one for each exhaust pipe.
So, if you’re wondering whether your Ford Explorer is equipped with this device, you can rest assured that it is.
Sources: Ford, Pew Trusts, and Research Gate
Jack is the owner, chief editor, and senior writer of this website.
Machinery, engines, and farming have always been a passion of his since he was a young boy. Growing up on a small farm in rural America, he learned the value of hard work and dedication from an early age.
After completing his degree in Engineering, he decided to follow his dream and became a farmer in 2009.
Since then, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field. He has grown a variety of crops, tended to farm animals, and worked with all sorts of farming machinery. Continue reading…
