The Toyota Priusa popular gasoline-electric hybrid with two convertersis a favorite target, according to the NICB. I have a friend in Chicago who has had 2 stolen from the same Toyota Prius. Now that mine has been stolen this past week, I see that Miller is finally making one (others makers, still not making them). The average cost for a catalytic converter is $2,000 to $3,000, experts say, but it takes only seconds to remove the part. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Thats why I say buy the two pack!. Catalytic converters on the underside of vehicles help reduce emissions. Install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter. cut. Weve had a bunch of people reach out to thank us, and this is the first weve heard of any issues. If your car was insured, youll likely pay little out of pocket to get a new catalytic converter, depending on your deductible. Sobering! Always follow safety procedures or contact a professional. WebA pr. The two anti-theft options that may work for your vehicle are the CatClamp or the CatStrap. Start the conversation with My catalytic converter was stolen, do you have any experience with the CatClamp?. Before joining NerdWallet, Julie oversaw editorial teams at NextAdvisor, Red Ventures and Quote.com. The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. The secondary, inline catalytic converter under the car is the one to worry about. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Theyll find out later its useless as scrap, but its still been stolen from your E-250. Trucks and SUVs are often targeted because its easy to slide 2. Read more. You're going to want to read thisespecially if you drive a Toyota Prius. However, thieves are getting more bold. How to stop your catalytic converter being stolen Park to prevent access underneath But remember to consider pedestrians 1/10 In order to steal the parts, thieves need to slide under the vehicle and use cutting tools to detach the box from the pipes around it. Which would be most effective to deter successful vicious thieves, the Cat Strap or the Cat Clamp? Thanks. Protect Your Catalytic Converter from Theft with One of These Devices, How to Shoot a Vehicle for Bring a Trailer, Watching a Catalytic Converter in Action Is Absolutely Mesmerizing, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. You can buy the Miller Cat Shield directly from the manufacturer, and the CCM CatSecurity on Amazon. 3. Heres a MillerCAT Cat Shield on a Prius V. Notice the louvers to promote airflow to reduce heat buildup. 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. Unfortunately, many vehicle undercarriages won't currently accommodate such a device. A prevention campaign, as with any crime, is key. 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. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and to a shocking degree. The amazon link for the catclamp shows not available. Just wondering why car manufacturers do not automatically install protection, even if was an optional thing I would be worth it especially on a Hybrid. Advising the public of the following could help prevent or slow down catalytic converter thefts in your jurisdiction: Park vehicles in a garage. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen. Hi! The best way to prevent catalytic converter theft is to explore the solutions below and see what will work for you. We can, however, make it a lot harder. As mentioned in the article, theres all levels of thief. If you can, park your car in a well-lit area. As with any type of theft, its easier to get away with under the cover of night. If youre parking in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor lights. The only off the shelf option that stands out is the CatClamp Maxx. Theres also a the thought that cars parked this way will obscure the thief from the street, letting him steal your cat converter out of sight of traffic. Thanks for your comment. The thief jacked up my car in the middle of floor pan, causing a dent in the floor in addition to the theft. Just not sure where to install it. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, there are several anti-theft devices on the market. I dont think car manufacturers can cover for every eventuality that MAY happen. Plus, catalytic converters dont carry any sort of identification number, so its pretty much impossible to identify them as stolen property. Although you may save a few bucks NOT buying from CatClamp direct, sometimes the manufacturer can provide support that the online shops cant. Palladium alone sells for nearly $2,500 an ounce. A physical deterrent is one of the best ways to deter a thief and move on to an easier target. If youre talking about one of the shields, youre only going to have access to the back half of the exhaust. Constant product innovation is the reason why I always recommend a Miller CatShield if they make a model for your vehicle. Short answer: It depends. It's typically required if you have a loan or lease. Here is a list of our partners. You can also pair this with the CatEye Electronic Catalytic Converter Alarm. Thefts of catalytic converters continue to climb at an alarming rate, and the pandemic and its resulting economic issues have made their resale value rise .css-p0u9qf{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#595959;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#595959;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #FFC84E 50%, #FFC84E);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-p0u9qf:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:#000000;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}even further. The Cat Strap is the least expensive of the bunch, Its basically a series of cables in a sleeve that you glue onto your catalytic converter and exhaust pipe. This device is a little different than the others. Id want it pointing down, but kind of hidden near my catalytic converter because if these work how I think they do, theyre easy to bypass where they have it mounted in the video. The idea of driving an old beater is false. 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. The first thing you should do is document the theft. great article! (There are just over 28grams in 1 ounce. I agree with Erhan on this. A few aftermarket companies have developed metal shields that easily bolt to the undercarriage of 2004-up Priusesand even some late-model Tacoma pickups. The average cost for a catalytic converter is $2,000 to $3,000, experts say, but it takes only seconds to remove the part. Check your passenger side fender liner and see if its loose and/or missing bolts. The more inconvenient your vehicle is to get to, the more likely a 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/. Well, it depends. Planning on using zip ties and heavy duty velcro to mount them somewhere else, away from an easy access point. Thats because they use rare metals like palladium and platinum to filter your emissions and reduce vehicle pollution. These are actually the cars targeted the most. Is one of these worth it for you? 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. It's "universal" because it hangs loosely via metal hose clamps to the exhaust under the car, so, theoretically, it should fit nearly any car or truck. Hi Jay, Great article thank you for your contribution. Park Close to Curbs. 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. Well have to look into that link, but try CatClamp.com if you cant find it on Amazon. If you have a carport or parking space at your home, install motion-detector security lights and set a car alarm. Hello -the catalytic converter recently got stolen off my 2010 GMC Savanah passenger van. They are too expensive to replace as insurance doesnt usually cover everything not to mention it will be taking longer for these to be in stock due to fallout from the Ukraine invasion. Definitely take a look at the CatClamp to see if itll work. For only $300 we will install a catalytic converter shield that prevents theft of this necessary and critical vehicle component. 1993-2003 car models, specifically Honda and Ford trucks have cats that are filled with precious metals such as Rodium, Palladium, and others which, per ounce, are worth more than gold right now. Unfortunately, this is one of those things that we dont think about until it happens to us. To prevent catalytic converter theft, the New Castle County Division of Police offers these tips: Park in a well-lit area. Even cheaper is the CatStrap with an easier installation process. Park in a well-lit area. There are a few subtle differences, but theyre pretty similar in design. Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. If you have a personal garage, keep your car parked inside with the door shut. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. Whatever you do, do not weld your catalytic converter to the frame or make a hard, inflexible connection. 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. And theres a new rattle when the engine starts under hard acceleration. And California is the state with the highest number of thefts of catalytic converters, with Texas coming in second. Can I use the Cat clamp on a 2013 Hyundai Elantra? In a press release, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, We will continue to work alongside our state and local partners to disrupt criminal conspiracies like this one that target the American people.. About the author: Shannon Bradley covers auto loans for NerdWallet. I cant say for sure yet, but if all the volume comes out of the front of that little device, the noise is easy to overcome by just putting your hand over it. Julie Myhre-Nunes is an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. Both require some minor drilling for install. 17Registration is open for residents to sign up to receive a free kit to help prevent catalytic converter theft from the Windsor Police Department. 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. After being a NerdWallet reader for many years, Shannon welcomed the opportunity to become a NerdWallet writer and help more people with financial decision-making. They took mine although I caught them in the act, they threatened me with machetes saying they would kill me if I didnt go back in my house and close the door as they were doing it on my drive literally few feet away from my front door. As with any type of theft, its easier to get away with under the cover of night. Catalytic converter theft continues to rise nationwide. 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. Can you imagine crawling under the car to replace those 3x AAA batteries every 6 months or so? Can a Car Run Without a Catalytic Converter? Contact the police. Your username maybe be your email address. I have Ford E350 shuttle buses and I have the Catstrap on all of them. Hi Mary. You can read my catclamp review here. Park indoors if possible. Here are some tips to help protect your vehicle from catalytic converter theft: 1. 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. And reviewers on the bike alarm model said that you can get in a situation with a weak or dead remote battery and be unable to turn off or disarm the darn thing. 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