How Long Does the Catalytic Converter Last in a Jeep Wrangler?

Catalytic converters often last a long time because they don’t have moving parts. How long do catalytic converters last Jeep Wrangler?

As a mechanic, I encourage people to do small repairs before large repairs become necessary. For example, small repairs to your engine prevent expensive repairs in the future. If your engine burns oil, fix the problem before it damages your catalytic converter. 

A catalytic converter should last about 100,000 miles in a modern vehicle including a Jeep Wrangler.

It might last until the end of your vehicle’s life, though the vehicle might last much longer. 

It is designed to last until the truck is starting to fall apart. By the time the catalytic converter breaks, you will also need other repairs. 

A lot of the time, it’s better and cheaper to get a new car than to keep repairing an old one. The repair costs get higher and higher as the vehicle ages. 

Premature Damage to Catalytic Converters

If an accident damages the catalytic converter, it will fail long before 100,000 miles. There could also be manufacturing defects or other factors that make the converter fail early.

Fuel Additives

Some fuel additives aren’t good for catalytic converters and may make them fail early. 

Engine Burning Oil

Problems with your piston rings or other engine parts may make the engine burn oil. This oil ends up in the exhaust, where it will wear out the catalytic converter faster.

Fix problems with your car early. If you don’t fix a problem, it will lead to other problems in the future. 

How Long Do Jeep Wranglers Last?

Sometimes, Jeep Wranglers last for 400,000 miles. You do have to repair them before then, but you can keep them going. 

250,000 miles is a better guess if you take very good care of them. 

The best way to keep your vehicle going for a long time is to fix problems early. Maintenance costs on Jeep Wranglers are fairly low, they should not be thought of as high-maintenance vehicles. 

Oil, Filter, and Tires

You should change your Jeep Wrangler oil, filter, and tires often enough. Change the oil after 4,000 miles, change the tires after 6,000 or 8,000, and change the filter after 20,000. 

Remember to check the wheel alignment. 

Brakes

Never drive with half-working brakes. After 40,000 miles you should replace the brake pads. The parking brake and brake linings should also be inspected. 

If you hear noises when braking, get your brakes looked at shortly.

Batteries

Batteries need to be replaced once every four or five years. They last longer if you clean the terminals and secure the cables to the battery. 

Engine

Making a lot of small repairs on the engine will prevent problems that require major repairs. 

You may need to replace the hose, engine timing belt, and drive belt only once every 50,000 or 80,000 miles. However, you should check them more often than that. 

Using the right engine oil for your Jeep Wrangler will keep the engine going for longer. An oil that reduces friction is a good idea. 

Rust

Jeep Wranglers are more vulnerable to rust than most vehicles. They are still great vehicles, but you have to be wary of rust. Rust will affect the bottom parts first. 

What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?

A catalytic converter is an environmental protection device. It makes your car’s exhaust less harmful. 

Without a catalytic converter, your engine contains harmful oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburned fuel which turn into toxic emissions in the air.

The catalytic converter converts the nitrogen oxide into plain nitrogen, which is harmless and everywhere in the air we breathe. Carbon monoxide becomes carbon dioxide, and the exhaust becomes significantly less harmful.

These converters require expensive metals like gold, palladium, and rhodium. These metals are necessary to speed up chemical reactions that turn exhaust chemicals into less harmful compounds. 

Catalytic Converters Are Low Maintenance

Thankfully, catalytic converters on Jeep Wranglers and other cars don’t need to be maintained and last until late in the car’s life.

This is because of the lack of moving parts. There are no mechanical parts in a catalytic converter that can fail. 

What Happens When a Catalytic Converter Starts Failing?

You might smell a bad odor in the car, though this could be caused by a lot of things. If there is a bad smell coming from your engine, it could be the catalytic converter. 

Some Thieves Steal Catalytic Converters

Believe it or not, some thieves will steal a catalytic converter. This is because it has precious metals in it. 

A car or a truck that is low to the ground is not a likely target for thieves. They prefer a truck that is high enough that they can easily slip under it. They can use a wrench or saw to steal the converter. 

Be careful where you park your car. A thief could not steal a catalytic converter in broad daylight with people around. 

Key Takeaways

• Catalytic converters in newer vehicles including Jeep Wranglers last for about 100,000 miles. Sometimes, this is near the end of the Jeep’s life. However, a Jeep Wrangler might last for 250,000 or even 400,000 miles with repairs. 
• Catalytic converters make exhaust less harmful. They cause chemical reactions that turn harmful oxides into harmless gases. 
• An impact from an accident might damage your catalytic converter. If you use the wrong fuel additives this can wear it out faster. If your engine is burning oil, this creates wear and tear on your converter. 
• Some thieves steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals. 
• Since catalytic converters do not have moving parts, they do not require maintenance.