If you are looking under the hood what is the black canister looking thing with rubber hoses running to it located right behind the driver side headlights. Also in the same area, what is the round hard plastic thing that is the size of a softball?

Can I get rid of that stuff?

 

The charcoal canister catches evaporated fuel, then when you run the engine again, it draws it in and burns it. Passive emissions control. Doesn't affect power, adds maybe 2 pounds to the car, may as well leave it alone. BTW, it has a replaceable cotton screen on the bottom side that should be replaced every year, it's about a dollar at AutoZone. Just a couple of bolts to loosen, use a 10mm socket on an extension, from above.

 

The round softball thing is your cruise control vacuam canister.