Q: Engine light turned, reading says I need new catalytic converter, how long could I wait to fix it?

asked by on January 03, 2018

How long can I wait to get catalytic converter fixed on my Honda. It turned on about a week ago and I immediately took it to where I got it and they said It needs a new cat. I didn’t drive it for about 5 days until now. I just want to know if It safe to drive it around until I can get it fixed which is in a week and a half..

My car has 164000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Catalytic Converter Replacement $288.41 - $1959.69 Get a Quote

A clogged or failing catalytic converter can cause the vehicle to have poor fuel economy. As you may already know, the catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly. When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy.

Depending on how clogged or damaged the catalytic converter is, it may or may not be safe to continue driving it. In some cases, if it is a minor clog or some of the catalyst materials inside have been damaged it may still be fine to drive for a bit longer. In more severe cases, a clogged catalytic converter can cause more serious problems with allowing the motor to properly breathe and will eventually result in the vehicle performing poorly. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I program the HomeLink?
You can use the universal garage door opener to open your own garage door or another garage door of a friend or family member. Hold the remote control transmitter between one and three inches from the control buttons for HomeLink,...
Car making noise, but not starting
If the engine doesn't crank but only makes a grinding or clicking noise, my guess is that the starter is bad. This can be verified using a dedicated starting/charging system tester, or by using a digital multimeter. A trained professional,...
Unknown oil leak in a 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
It can be difficult to determine which fluid is leaking as transmission oil and engine oil eventually turn black if they have not been serviced. Power steering fluid is another common fluid leak most cars experience. A technician must first...
stalls when put in gear
The idle control valve may be stuck or you have a vacuum leak. Try to disconnect the vacuum lines to the EGR valve to see if it still stalls. This may be due to problems in the vacuum system. Try...
why doesnt my fuel gauge show me how much gas is in the tank?
There are 3 components, and wiring involved in a fuel gauge on your car. There is a fuel level sensor, also called a sending unit, the PCM (main engine computer) and the instrument panel. The fuel level sensor is mounted...
input speed shaft sensor location?
Hey there. The turbine speed sensor is located on the drivers side of the transmission just above the shift lever and sensor. The turbine sensor is mounted in the side of the transmission.
Oil leaking from top left side of engine, could that be the vavle cover gasket?
Oil leaks at the top of engine could be at valve covers, intake manifolds, head gaskets, cam seals, PCV valve grommets and tubing and related components. The best thing to do, to get the source of the leak identified, is...
check engine light for o2 sensor because the straight pipe and an Evap code are on, what does this mean, want to buy but unsure
It's possible that the seller eliminated the catalytic converter and along with it the downstream oxygen sensor, which is illegal by the way, and also guarantees a fail in any jurisdiction where emissions testing is mandatory. Unfortunately, an as bad...

Related articles

2012 Jeep Patriot vs. 2012 Honda CR-V: Which One Should I Buy?
The mid-size SUV is a great vehicle for getting a lot of people from one place to another, with a decent price point and pretty good ongoing fuel economy. While they are never going to get the amazing gas mileage...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Doctor Who Makes House Calls
If If you are a doctor who makes house calls, reliability is likely to be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to choosing a used car. You also expect a certain level of comfort. We have evaluated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Camping
Do Do you love camping, getting back to nature and enjoying life in the great outdoors? If you do, then you know that getting there can be half the fun, and it’s even better if you have a great ride....