File a police report, which can easily be done online in many jurisdictions. Community members can receive one or more heat and destruction-proof theft prevention do-it-yourself kits that engrave a serial number into the catalytic converter, according to a Windsor Police Department news release. How do thieves know which converters have the rare metals and which ones dont? Is that true? If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. As with any type of theft, its easier to get away with under the cover of night. But for people worried about getting ripped off now, NICB says there are some steps that can be taken to protect your car. Cat Clamp seems very inviting right about now. In an attempt to steal the catalytic converter, thieves have to slide under the automobile and use cutting tools to detach the box from the pipes around it. .css-1r3oo2y{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Paralucent,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1r3oo2y:hover{color:link-hover;}}.css-1r3oo2y:hover{color:#454148;}How to Shoot a Vehicle for Bring a Trailer.css-17kabay{display:block;height:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;position:relative;width:1.25rem;}.css-17kabay:after{content:'';height:0.625rem;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:1.25rem;}.loaded .css-17kabay:after{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/autoweek/static/images/diamonds.322aecf.svg);}, Best Mechanic's Creepers for 2023, Tested, Save Big Bucks on Our Best Car Cleaning Kits, Automotive Airbnb Activities for Your Next Getaway, Our Favorite Automotive Books for Car-Loving Kids. You can read my catclamp review here. WebCatalytic converters are expensive to replace. May 13, 2021 - Investigators in the Houston Police Department Auto Theft Division are warning motorists to be aware of a rising national crime that has also hit Houston: catalytic converter thefts. Wish you lots of luck- Let us know how it works out! Which of these anti-theft devices do you recommend that would be compatible with my Subaru? A federal bill called the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act, or PART Act, was introduced in early 2022 and is still making its way through Congress. Just lost the cat on my 2000 E-250. The Catlock is another clamp and cable device catalytic converter lock, although not as substantial as the CatClamp. Not that this can help you now but may help someone else reading this: Miller has reworked their Prius CatShield design to help combat this theft technique, (see it here) and offers an add on for earlier shields called the Deadbolt. Each one uses a different design to protect your catalytic converter, and ranges anywhere from $130 all the way to $270+ depending on what you choose. Miller Cat Shield wouldnt take the discount code Gearist! It's a crime of convenience. Most people who are leasing or making payments on a car are required to carry comprehensive coverage, but whether or not someone files a claim on a stolen converter depends on the policys deductible and how much it costs to replace the part. From what were seeing, theres been a huge increase in cat converter theft on pickup trucks and vans like your Ford E-250. Unfortunately, a camera wont do much for stopping theft, but it may help the police after the fact. She spent the next 30-plus years as a writer and content manager in the financial services industry, creating educational content that covered a wide range of personal and business financial topics. But it did fit without a problem. Make your catalytic converter standout. To prevent catalytic converter theft, the New Castle County Division of Police offers these tips: Park in a well-lit area. The CatClamp MAXX claims to form a nearly unbreakable barrier around your cat converter with a 5/16-inch-thick stainless steel cable that fits around 1 3/4- to 3-inch exhaust pipes. This is a good idea in general. Short answer: It depends. It would just get too expensive in a general sense. The amazon link for the catclamp shows not available. Heres why catalytic converters are being stolen, what makes them so attractive to car thieves, and what you can do to prevent your vehicles from going missing. According to a recent article in Waste Advantage magazine, a typical catalytic converter contains 3to 7grams of platinum, 2to 7grams of palladium, and 1to 2grams of rhodium. The only special tools youll need are included with the kit. Catalytic converters represent a treasure trove to potential thieves looking to make a quick buck. I more questions than answers now though, but thats better than being totally ignorant! New York now requires new car dealers to offer serial number etching kits to customers at cost. Otherwise, as Ive said to Kathryn and Paige in the comments: Make a few phone calls to some independent garages and muffler shops and see if they heard of the CatClamp. And California is the state with the highest number of thefts of catalytic converters, with Texas coming in second. Advice totally makes sense! Here are the top 4 catalytic converter shields, locks, and cages commercially available. Web1. Know if you're a target for catalytic converter theft, 2. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. Use a security system. If theres video surveillance, thats even better. According to Advanced Auto Parts, replacement catalytic converters can cost thousands depending on the quality of the converter and your vehicle type. More modern vehicles however, with better technology, their cars are mainly filled with Titanium and metals that are essentially worthless on small quantities. Aside from comprehensive insurance coverage and setting your alarm to its most sensitive setting, is there anything we vehicle owners can do to make sure we're not stuck with expensive repairs? The best option, though, is prevention. SWIM, BIKE, RUN Focused on you, the athlete we bring you informative articles and gear reviews about cycling, running, trail running, triathlons and other endurance sports. I had never heard of this happening before. I'm thinking a "skid plate" covering the catalytic converter, attached to the FRAME may be the best route to go. That number rose over 400% to 6021 in 2020. WebThe bad news is a replacement catalytic converter will cost you up to $4500. Consider replacing it with a theft-resistant catalytic converter. Ive looked all over internet and cant find one that says it will work on it. Why Are Catalytic Converters Being Stolen? What to install to protect catalytic converter on 2010 Honda Fit? Any info? You can check out Primitive Racing for skidplates, but I dont think any will protect the secondary cat thats out in the open. So, what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device? I do remember the owner saying it was a very tough fit (no pun intended), but it was CatClamp friendly. Photo: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images. While your new catalytic converter is being installed, ask the repair shop about adding an anti-theft device to prevent future thefts. When I'm not reporting, I can usually be found at home with my family, at the beach surfing, or in my driveway, wrenching on my hot rod '74 Olds sedan. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Park close to building entrances or the nearest road in public parking lots. The first thing you should do is document the theft. They couldnt get one for four months! You can help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate number on it, parking in well-lit areas and installing an anti-theft device. Im sure youve seen the videos. Depending on your car alarm to stop catalytic converter theft? If you can, park your car in a well-lit area. One way to prevent the theft of your catalytic converter is not to make it an obvious target for thieves. And it seems that bystanders either dont notice whats happening or wont get involved. I have a 2012 Subaru Outback which Ive maintained well and is excellent condition. Sorry to hear about your Prius, but glad youve gotten it sorted. Good Luck- please report back on what you decide to do! Even cheaper is the CatStrap with an easier installation process. Here are some tips and tricks on catalytic converter theft prevention: 1. To be honest, I guarantee you that they will be back. Vehicles with ultra low-emissions are bigger targets, because they have catalytic converters that contain more rhodium, palladium and platinum that render pollutants harmless while increasing the value for thieves. Statistics can help legislators pass laws that make it tougher for thieves to sell stolen parts. Can you imagine crawling under the car to replace those 3x AAA batteries every 6 months or so? Kinda like a thief who steals fake diamonds- they dont know it until they try and sell em, but theyve still been stolen! If you cant park your car in a closed garage, make sure you leave it in a well-lit, highly-visible location. Both companies focus mostly on making Toyota Prius catalytic converter shields and Honda Element catalytic converter shields. Can you tell us what year Prius you have? They do provide a sticker that a thief probably wont see when under your car in the dark, but every little bit helps. It would require the VIN to be stamped on catalytic converters of new vehicles and would create a grant program for VIN stamping of existing vehicles. If youre parking on the street, try to pick a well-lit one with plenty of traffic. Older cars converters are more likely to be stolen for the same reason the Prius converters are more likely to be stolen: more precious metal content. Economical means different things to different people, but a CatClamp can be purchased for under $200. Can you confirm that? So, whats the best form of catalytic converter protection? If you have a carport or parking space at your home, install motion-detector security lights and set a car alarm. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. I had mine stolen a few weeks ago (a 2011 Prius) as well as the oxygen tube (?) What Should You Do If Your Catalytic Converter Is Stolen? Hi Mary. Here are some tips to help protect your vehicle from catalytic converter theft: 1. If your car is parked in a crowded place, most thieves wont run the risk of spending the extra time to defeat one of these devices and move on to an easier target. Trucks, which are higher off the ground, are at greater risk, simply because the converters are easier for thieves to access. My older model Prius had its 2nd cat stolen even though it had a Miller cat shield. Then theres the not so savvy guy wholl swipe whatever he can! Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. An experienced thief will probably target a higher value item, but Ive heard of plenty of these secondary converters being stolen. Hopefully, once you have ANY device installed, Catalytic Converter theft on your CRV is something you can cross off your worry list! I cant find the Cat Lock for sale any place else. And if they can do it for this truck, more models should be on the horizon. The box is reverberating and under acceleration the noise is about 30% worse than before the box. 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