A MOTORS expert has warned all drivers should be cleaning a crucial vehicle component to keep safe on the roads.
While tests like checking oil and water are common, this device also needs be to inspected and cleaned regularly, car whizz Kayla Keena says.
Kayla explained that a responsible motorist needs to keep all components of their car in mind, since they all work together to create a smooth ride.
Some of them, she warns, get dirty quickly - and it can cause damage down the track.
One of these is the catalytic converter, a device which reduces the amount of harmful pollutants coming out of your exhaust.
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It does this by cleaning exhaust gasses before they fly out the pipe, using a chemical reaction to convert toxic gases to carbon dioxide and water vapour.
According to the RAC, catalytic converters, or "cats", typically come with a long lifespan.
But they're important to check, because repairing a faulty one is expensive.
Kayla says while it's easy to forget about the cat, drivers should start remembering to keep it clean.
She wrote for Scioto County Daily News: "This car part is one of the main components in your exhaust system, and it helps filter harmful pollutants out of your exhaust so that your emissions are safe.
"Over time, those pollutants, dust, and debris can stack up, clogging your exhaust system if you’re not careful.
"The biggest exhaust system maintenance tip you should know is that you need to regularly clean your catalytic converter."
A clogged-up cat can cause overheating, contamination and physical damage, the RAC says.
If the exhaust system isn't free-flowing, less air will get into the engine - meaning reduced efficiency.
Cleaning the cat is another task to add to the checklist - but luckily, Kayla says it's a very simple one.
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She adds: "All you need to do is add a cleaner to your gas tank and let it go through your exhaust system, loosening the clog in the converter and getting everything back into proper working order."
If you drive a modern car, it's likely a red light will flash on the dashboard diagnostics if the cat is compromised.
Otherwise, RAC has a list of symptoms indicating a faulty cat.
They include: sluggish engine performance, reduced acceleration, dark exhaust smoke, the smell of sulphur or rotten eggs from the exhaust and excessive heat under the vehicle.
