Hi Julie. (This happened to me.). This device is a little different than the others. Ask your mechanic if driving your car without the catalytic converter will further damage it. Its actually very likely the thieves will be back to see if you fit/fixed your cat to take it again. Cant recall if it was an older 2007-2012 Honda Fit or a 2013+ Fit. He adds that its a crime of opportunity, and car owners can take steps to encourage thieves to move on to easier prey. It's typically required if you have a loan or lease. great article! My mechanic is currently treating a new Cat-mounted alarm but the truth is, until laws enforcement cracks down on the scrapyards and mechanics buying the illegal parts, this problem will persist and there is little that can be done. Not sure if you checked out my review of the CatClamp here. The more inconvenient your vehicle is to get to, the more likely a Sometimes thieves unbolt the catalytic converter, but more often they just cut the connecting pipes using a battery-operated saw. For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible to keep your monthly premium low, you wouldnt file a claim on a repair that cost $1,200. 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. Can you suggest which anti theft device would be best for catalytic converters? Install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter. Sorry to hear it happened to you. If you start your car and hear a low, loud rumble, one of the first things you should check is whether your catalytic converter has been stolen. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Park strategically. Sorry to hear about your Prius, but glad youve gotten it sorted. A California bill that would have required car dealers to etch converters with a vehicles unique vehicle identification number (VIN) did not pass. Install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter, 4. Hello, An uptick in catalytic converter thefts has a lot of street parkers concerned. Thanks. Some companies now sell security kits that make it much, much harder for converters to be removed from their housing. Good Luck. The only real way to prevent your catalytic converter from getting stolen is not to have one! It may help you make your own decision about buying a catshield. Whichever way you go, something is better than nothingyou want to make it as difficult as possible so the criminals move on to an easier target. Hybrid vehicles are particularly vulnerable, because those cats utilize even more of the precious metals within. They seem to work as intended, but im looking to test it somewhere low inside the engine compartment where its easy to access for the vehicle owner, protected from the elements, and tough for a thief to find. What Should You Do If Your Catalytic Converter Is Stolen? 3. 3. Im sure youll get a couple of Huh?s before you find one, but Im sure somebody local can help you out. The Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sportage SUVs are starting to get targeted, The Hyundai Elantra? Any suggestions? Think about when you have your hand covering your mobile phone speaker. If you can, park your car in a well-lit area. Detecting Tampering. This should make it much more visible to passersby and surrounding properties, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves. Even if your insurance covers replacement of a stolen catalytic converter, parts delays and repair shop backups are common right now, meaning you may have to wait a while for repairs. Triathlon Gear Buyers Guide Summer 2021, Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Sleeping Pad Review, https://www.gearist.com/cat-clamp-review-honda-catalytic-converter-theft/. Victoria, I am also looking for some type of an alarm. In New York City, the police department reported that converter thefts had risen from 211 to 802 over that same period, and jumped to 3,705 in 2021. Unfortunately, many vehicle undercarriages won't currently accommodate such a device. Some vehicles have more than one, and the NICB says replacing stolen converters can cost as much as $1,500 to $3,000. Since we first wrote this article, MillerCat has expanded their line up. Comprehensive insurance covers stolen auto parts. According to Kitco, a website that tracks precious metals trends, the current price for an ounce of platinum is $1,000, while palladium costs more than $2,300, and rhodiumwhich is extremely rarecosts more than $20,000. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. They do provide a sticker that a thief probably wont see when under your car in the dark, but every little bit helps. Any info? In most cases, they dont even need to jack up the car first. For only $300 we will install a catalytic converter shield that prevents theft of this necessary and critical vehicle component. Definitely take a look at the CatClamp to see if itll work. Cat Security is one of the more popular brands of catalytic-converter covers because they're made of lighter aluminum and, therefore, add less weight to the vehicle. WebCatalytic converters are expensive to replace. As mentioned in the article, theres all levels of thief. Hi! Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. If you dont have metal zip ties and heat tape lying around and doing a single vehicle, it may be convenient to just buy the kit from that other company. Thefts of the converters in the city so far in 2021 have increased by 300% compared to the same time period last year. Your email address will not be published. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. It may help in a very minor way to inconvenience a thief if you park just right with the curb blocking any space to get a jack underneath. A number of other states have proposed legislation. The best way to prevent catalytic converter theft is to explore the solutions below and see what will work for you. I looked at Miller CAT Shields but they do not make one. PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USEWe respect your privacy. And if they can do it for this truck, more models should be on the horizon. Wish you lots of luck- Let us know how it works out! For every device listed here, ive seen both the pros and cons of each. If my travels have taught me anything, it's that stuffconsumer productsis at the center of daily life all over the world. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), pop up in the news every late winter and early spring. Although professional installation is suggested, If youre comfortable changing your own oil you shouldnt have a problem installing this yourself. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. She has been working in the personal finance space for more than 10 years. The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. As with any type of theft, its easier to get away with under the cover of night. The anti-theft devices Sandmans shop installs range from $300 to $800. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more. You can prevent your vehicle from being stolen by observing the necessary few instructions. Palladium alone sells for nearly $2,500 an ounce. Tips for Protecting Your Vehicle from Catalytic Converter Theft. I have Ford E350 shuttle buses and I have the Catstrap on all of them. About the author: Shannon Bradley covers auto loans for NerdWallet. Seriously though, If youre not ready for an electric car- try the two things above to keep your catalytic converter where it belongs. Sorry to hear your Prius got hit..twice! Catalytic converters are generally easy to access; it takes an average of three minutes for a thief to slide under a car or (especially) a truck and simply cut it out with a hacksaw or Sawzall. However, if youre doing multiple vehicles, just buy the metal ties and heat tape. Strategy 1: Park in a safe, well lit place with lots of traffic. Apply a commercial catalytic theft prevention device such as CatClamps or CAT Security. Had a steel box made for my 07 Lexus RX 400h after its cat was stolen last month. Well, it depends. Its been a while since Ive been under a 2003-2006 Subaru Baja, or an Outback/Legacy of the same generation- my last Subaru was a 4 cyl, 2007 Outback. By adding bright paint, you can create a visible deterrent to alert thieves to move on. Usually if its a model I dont have hands on experience with I can make a few calls and see whats been working, but coming up empty for the 2002 Jetta! MORE: Update your old car with new-car tech. Always follow safety procedures or contact a professional. Purchase some high-temperature (1,300 to 2,000 0F), automotive exhaust spray paint in a bright color, and spray a generous amount onto the converter. This is a good idea in general. The cars that are most commonly targeted for their catalytic converters are the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Can you confirm that? Thank you so much!! Heres how to prevent a catalytic converter theft from happening in the first place. Quick and Easy Install: Apply CATETCH/CATGUARD labels directly to your clean, cool, and dry catalytic converter and use supplied etching fluid (with the brush) to the label as instructed. If so, thats exactly what happened. I agree with Erhan on this. How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Ford F-150 But all is not lost! You can turn up the sensitivity of your car alarm so that it goes off when thieves jostle your car. Let us knowtheir customer service is excellent and will look to see whats going on if theres a persistent issue. Hopefully, once you have ANY device installed, Catalytic Converter theft on your CRV is something you can cross off your worry list! This will help police track such crimes and might assist in arrests. But Sandman cautions that attaching the catalytic converter directly to the cars frame can be noisy since the exhaust system otherwise is suspended from the car by sound-buffering hangers. I was wondering if you have a recommendation on how to install the bike alarm option? Install an alarm system: Installing an alarm system on your vehicle can alert you and others if someone attempts to tamper with it. Check out the selection of cat shields and covers below, as well as a couple of other suggestions: a device designed to "lock" your catalytic converter in place and a motion-sensitive alarm to sense when the cat itself it being messed with. Unsurprisingly, those rare metals are worth quite a bit of money. On Nov. 2, the Justice Department announced the takedown of a national, multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft network. A professional will know what to look for, the casual thief thinking he can make a few extra bucks wont know until its already stolen from your vehicle. The F150 catalytic converter anti-theft system is designed to immobilize the vehicle if the catalytic converter is removed, providing peace of mind to the vehicle owner. We respect your privacy. Ive mentioned before that Id like something like the MillerCat for my Honda because of the clean looks. OUTDOOR & TRAVEL Because life doesnt always move fast, check out our content and reviews for camping, backpacking, adventure travel and gear for your everyday life. There is only 1 way you can stop it from happening and that is not to have 1. Ill try all 3. How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft The best preventive measure you can take is asking your mechanic to use welding techniques to attach the converter more permanently to your undercarriage. 2. Thats the best you can hope for, but its a good strategy. In reality, this will do nothing to stop a catalytic converter thief. I have not had anymore problems since they tried to steal one catalytic converter from my business yard. I personally have never installed a CatClamp (or any other Catalytic Converter device) on that specific vehicle. The office of D.A. Thanks for your time. It's a crime of convenience. Installs range from $ 300 we will install a catalytic converter theft has a lot of parkers. And critical vehicle component wont see when under your car without the catalytic converter will damage... Ive seen both the pros and cons of each a Ford F-150 but all not!? s before you find one, but its a crime of opportunity, and NICB. Heat tape us knowtheir customer service is excellent and will look to whats. An older 2007-2012 Honda Fit or a 2013+ Fit and services are presented warranty... Early spring real way to prevent catalytic converter thief get a couple of Huh? s before you find,... Switching car insurance could save you Element, can you suggest which anti theft device would be for! On that specific vehicle mentioned before that Id like something like the MillerCat for my 07 Lexus RX after... 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