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Catalytic converters are vulnerable because they’re quick and easy to steal. Catalytic converters are expensive to replace.Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. Park in well-lit areas. Install an anti-theft device.
Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen?
The common consensus seems to be that the Prius, Tacoma, Lexus SUVs, and the Accord are some of the most targeted cars for catalytic converter theft. So if you own one of these, make sure your car is locked up safe and sound.
Does insurance cover stolen catalytic converters?
If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you’re typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Comprehensive coverage will typically pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal.
How do thieves steal catalytic converters?
Some thieves bring a mechanic’s creeper. Then all they do is slide under the vehicle, remove the bolts holding the converter, and take it. Typically, catalytic converters are stolen from cars and trucks in driveways, strip malls or in parking garages.
Do catalytic converter clamps work?
CatClamp claims a 99.9% effective rate for over 5 years running. The basic premise of the CatClamp is to encase the Catalytic Converter in a hard to cut “cable” cage and attach that cage to several points on the chassis.
How do you stop catalytic converter thieves?
5 Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Know if you’re a target for catalytic converter theft. Install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter. Paint your catalytic converter. Set an alarm or camera to catch thieves. Check your car insurance.
How much do thieves get for catalytic converters?
Thieves can fetch as much as $700 per converter from unscrupulous scrap yards. And unfortunately, this can leave Prius owners with bills as high as $2,000. Trucks and SUVs are also common targets of catalytic converter theft because they are raised off the ground.
How much is a stolen catalytic converter worth?
Joseph Boche, who is a director with the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), explained that stolen converters can sell for as little as $50 to as much as $1,600 on the black market.
Why is Prius catalytic converter stolen?
“The demand is high for catalytic converters, and they seem to know which ones command the highest prices, like those on the older Priuses.” Prices have soared for metals like platinum, rhodium, palladium and others, due to lower mining production in recent years, a trend that was exacerbated by the pandemic.
Can you tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen?
You may not be able to tell your catalytic converter was stolen by looking at your car, but you will know as soon as you start the engine. When the catalytic converter has been removed, your vehicle will make a loud roaring sound that will get louder as you push the gas pedal, says The Spruce.
What happens if someone steals my catalytic converter?
Thieves typically cut the part off from beneath the vehicle with a power saw or blowtorch, and if they do a hatchet job, they can damage other systems as well, possibly affecting the vehicle’s driveability.
Can a car run without a catalytic converter?
Technically, yes. Older cars ran just fine before catalytic converters became commonplace in the 1970s. So, if your question is whether your car will run without one, then it most certainly will. And for each light-off catalyst, there is an O2 sensor monitoring the exhaust stream directly behind that catalyst.
How do people steal catalytic converters so fast?
Thieves are motivated to steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, such as platinum and rhodium. Then, the thieves often sell the car parts for money on the black market. Harker added that a would-be thief can steal a catalytic converter from the underbelly of a car within 5-to-10 minutes.
Why are criminals stealing catalytic converters?
This jewelry is being treated with a thin coating of rhodium—a chemically inert, corrosion resistant metal. And it’s also the reason why thieves across the U.S. are sawing off catalytic converters in order to get their hands on a few precious grams of the world’s most valuable metal.
Are cat clamps worth it?
5.0 out of 5 starsDeterred a theft! It worked! I bought and self installed this cage over a year ago after getting the cat stolen off my Honda Element right in front of my home. A determined thief will be able to cut their way through anything, but most will give up and move on for an easier target.
What is the best catalytic converter to scrap?
Platinum – Platinum being used tends to be the best metal for overall performance in the catalytic converter field.
Do Thieves steal aftermarket catalytic converters?
If your Catalytic Converter has been replaced with an aftermarket Catalytic Converter within the past few years, there is a good chance it won’t be stolen. The new aftermarket Catalytic Converters don’t have as much of the precious metals, so thieves typically don’t take them.
How much gold is there in a catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters contain Platinum, Rhodium and Palladium. However, there is no gold in catalytic converters.
How much are Prius catalytic converters worth?
Hybrids require catalytic converters with a higher concentration of precious metals than those found on gasoline-only cars. The HLDI notes that the converter from a 2007 Prius is selling for about $1,022 today, compared to just $143 for the converter used a Ford F-150 from the same year.
How much do thieves get for a Prius catalytic converter?
Data available from marketplace website AutoCatalystMarket.com shows that the average scrap price for a GD3+EA6 catalytic converter found in a second-generation Prius is $1,022.
