October 17, 2022
Protecting Your Catalytic Converter
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter theft is on the rise. You may not realize that this seemingly innocuous part of your exhaust system is valuable, but criminals sure do.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter theft is on the rise. It’s a component that every vehicle must have, it's made of precious metals, and it's completely exposed underneath your vehicle. This is a perfect storm for thieves, but that doesn’t mean you have to let theft happen. Read on to learn what the catalytic converter is, why it’s so valuable and how you can prevent yours from being stolen.
The emissions enter a chamber called a catalyst, so-called because it initiates a reaction that breaks down the more harmful exhaust chemicals. In order to achieve this, the converter is stuffed with precious metals, such as palladium and rhodium.
“Sawzall” by Milwaukee tools is the “Kleenex” of these saws, but there are many other brands, and they can all make short work of the exhaust system fore and aft of the catalytic converter to quickly remove it. There won’t be any indication a crime has been committed until you fire up the car the next morning and the exhaust is extremely loud.
There are different types of catalytic converters. The ones in hybrid cars are more robust and are loaded with even more precious metals. A typical catalytic converter can fetch as much as $250 from a recycler, but a hybrid converter can fetch $1,500. And just remember that actually having the part replaced is more than just the cost of goods. Replacing a typical converter can cost $1,500. Replacing a truck converter (which has to remove more emissions) can cost as much as $3,000.
Catalytic converter theft is often about location, location, location. Knowledge is power and knowing where these thefts have been occurring can help you take steps to prevent it from happening to you. If you know the crime rates in your area, you might be able to park in a location that’s less susceptible to it.
Ideally, you could park in a garage. If not, park under a streetlight or in a busier public area. You can always park somewhere out of the way, but that plan cuts both ways, and such privacy could give criminals the perfect place to work.
Equip a Car Alarm
Car alarms are designed for keeping thieves from getting into the car’s cabin, not deterring them from its undercarriage. You can alter the alarm’s sensitivity to activate whenever anyone touches the car, but that may yield a lot of false positives from wildlife, and your neighbors may start to resent you.
There are other alarms designed to go off when the car is tilted (i.e. if someone jacks the car up to steal wheels), but once again, criminals can work quickly without even using a jack, especially under trucks and SUVs which are higher off the ground.
Install A Shielding Device
Adding a layer of metal between the catlytic converter and the road is one of the more effective ways of preventing theft. There are a number of shielding panels that can be installed, effectively blocking off the catalytic converter from the road. These metal panels would ensure the removal job would take far longer, which is enough to scare off many would-be thieves.
There appear to be a number of fitted panels for specific vehicles, notably the Toyota Prius, which has a larger (and more valuable) converter). There are some universal shields, but some custom cutting and welding may be in order. Leave something like that to the professionals.
Use a Universal Catalytic Converter Lock
Believe it or not, there are devices that exist that actually secure the catalytic converter. These devices have steel cables and clamps to add a layer of protection that makes it impossible for a thief to successfully cut and remove the converter.
The “CatClamp” is a universal fit and at least some part of it has to be routed through the chassis of the vehicle for it to be effective. As such, you may want to contact a local auto-body shop and hire them to properly install it. The same tools used to steal the catalytic converter could also be used to cut through the CatClamp, but it would take longer, and running the saw for that amount of time at night could be enough to draw attention.
A Treasure Beneath Your Floorboards
The catalytic converter is like the automotive equivalent of an appendix. Most people do not know what they do, and they usually only find out it exists when there is an issue. You may not realize that this seemingly innocuous part of your exhaust system is valuable, but criminals sure do.According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter theft is on the rise. It’s a component that every vehicle must have, it's made of precious metals, and it's completely exposed underneath your vehicle. This is a perfect storm for thieves, but that doesn’t mean you have to let theft happen. Read on to learn what the catalytic converter is, why it’s so valuable and how you can prevent yours from being stolen.
What Is a Catalytic Converter?
The catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions. More than just some form of filter, it actually converts engine emissions into less harmful gasses. Once combustion occurs in the engine, the emissions make their way through the exhaust system and encounter the catalytic converter on the way to the exhaust outlet.The emissions enter a chamber called a catalyst, so-called because it initiates a reaction that breaks down the more harmful exhaust chemicals. In order to achieve this, the converter is stuffed with precious metals, such as palladium and rhodium.
How Do Criminals Steal your Catalytic Converter?
As the catalytic converter (or “cat” as it’s known to wrench-turners) is part of the exhaust system, it is completely exposed in the undercarriage of your car. Using a reciprocating saw, a criminal can cut out the converter. The saw is loud, but it can be removed in just a few minutes. The sound of the saw might not even wake you.“Sawzall” by Milwaukee tools is the “Kleenex” of these saws, but there are many other brands, and they can all make short work of the exhaust system fore and aft of the catalytic converter to quickly remove it. There won’t be any indication a crime has been committed until you fire up the car the next morning and the exhaust is extremely loud.
How Much Is a Catalytic Converter Worth?
As of this article’s writing, the palladium that’s inside the converter is valued at $66 a gram and $2,063 per ounce. There’s also platinum and rhodium in the catalytic converter. The latter is extremely rare and an ounce of it can fetch over $20,000. That’s why criminals are so eager to cut a foot-long hole in your exhaust. It’s like a little pocket of valuable metals that can be removed in moments.There are different types of catalytic converters. The ones in hybrid cars are more robust and are loaded with even more precious metals. A typical catalytic converter can fetch as much as $250 from a recycler, but a hybrid converter can fetch $1,500. And just remember that actually having the part replaced is more than just the cost of goods. Replacing a typical converter can cost $1,500. Replacing a truck converter (which has to remove more emissions) can cost as much as $3,000.
How to Keep Your Catalytic Converter from Being Stolen?
Know Where you ParkCatalytic converter theft is often about location, location, location. Knowledge is power and knowing where these thefts have been occurring can help you take steps to prevent it from happening to you. If you know the crime rates in your area, you might be able to park in a location that’s less susceptible to it.
Ideally, you could park in a garage. If not, park under a streetlight or in a busier public area. You can always park somewhere out of the way, but that plan cuts both ways, and such privacy could give criminals the perfect place to work.
Equip a Car Alarm
Car alarms are designed for keeping thieves from getting into the car’s cabin, not deterring them from its undercarriage. You can alter the alarm’s sensitivity to activate whenever anyone touches the car, but that may yield a lot of false positives from wildlife, and your neighbors may start to resent you.
There are other alarms designed to go off when the car is tilted (i.e. if someone jacks the car up to steal wheels), but once again, criminals can work quickly without even using a jack, especially under trucks and SUVs which are higher off the ground.
Install A Shielding Device
Adding a layer of metal between the catlytic converter and the road is one of the more effective ways of preventing theft. There are a number of shielding panels that can be installed, effectively blocking off the catalytic converter from the road. These metal panels would ensure the removal job would take far longer, which is enough to scare off many would-be thieves.
There appear to be a number of fitted panels for specific vehicles, notably the Toyota Prius, which has a larger (and more valuable) converter). There are some universal shields, but some custom cutting and welding may be in order. Leave something like that to the professionals.
Use a Universal Catalytic Converter Lock
Believe it or not, there are devices that exist that actually secure the catalytic converter. These devices have steel cables and clamps to add a layer of protection that makes it impossible for a thief to successfully cut and remove the converter.
The “CatClamp” is a universal fit and at least some part of it has to be routed through the chassis of the vehicle for it to be effective. As such, you may want to contact a local auto-body shop and hire them to properly install it. The same tools used to steal the catalytic converter could also be used to cut through the CatClamp, but it would take longer, and running the saw for that amount of time at night could be enough to draw attention.
