Since the federal mandate has provided a long warranty on the parts relating to emissions such as the catalytic converter, one would be advised to seek advice of a dealer service department before changing the converter at your own cost. In order to minimize the emission of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen gases, every vehicle has a three-way catalyst system which oxidizes and reduces the chemicals and transforms them to harmless nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. In the case of 1997 and earlier years, the catalytic converter is placed below the car between the front and the back exhaust pipes. In 1999 and 2000 models, California models have a Warm-Up Three-Way Catalyst (WU-TWC) besides the primary Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) underneath the vehicle, whereas 49-State models just have the primary Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) underneath. Between the year 2001 and 2005, California and the 49-State models have one TWC catalyst positioned below the vehicle, which is bolted to the front exhaust pipe. The TWC is combined with the exhaust manifold in the TWC of 2006 and subsequent models. Periodic checks ought to be conducted wherein the catalytic converter-to-exhaust pipe mating flanges and bolts are tightened and checked against leaks, whether the catalytic converter protector has dents or other damages, and whether the insulator around the heat insulator is clear of the catalytic converter. The exhaust system includes the elimination of the catalytic converter.