Let's start with a product that's inexpensive and universal. Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? There are a couple of reasons why people steal catalytic converters. For one, it contains valuable metals. As weve mentioned, a catalytic converter uses metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium to neutralize toxic gases, and those metals are rare and valuable. Rhodium, for example, sells for thousands of dollars per ounce. to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). For this reason, a shock sensor will detect the jack and sound the alarm. Install an antitheft device or metal protective cage around it. With this unit, you have the flexibility to beef up your car security to the highest level while enjoying the perks of remote start and other options. By now youre probably wondering if your catalytic converter is at risk of being stolen. .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;}Formula 1 Is Back! In turn, hybrid vehicles generally come equipped with higher-quality catalytic converters, meaning they contain more valuable precious metals. 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. | Watch WPXI NOW. Designed to deter the issue of catalytic converter from your car, An alarm to ensure maximum safety for your trailer when you are not around, Alarm against theft or theft of your bike or motorcycle. As for the dual-zone tag, this allows you to customize the sensor to create two zones around your vehicle. After our exclusive report on thieves targeting a valet lot for catalytic converters, Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle is digging deeper into this crime. To be fair, we could see a couple of potential drawbacks with this alarmwindy nights come to mindbut at this price, it's worth a shot if you don't own a Prius. Since their widespread adoption in the 1970s, catalytic converters are emissions devices used on gasoline engines to convert toxic exhaust pollutants into less harmful emissions. Do you know how to reset the Bluetooth in a Mini Cooper? We use our extensive knowledge of converters and in-house manufacturing and design to build the best catalytic converter protection devices. The best course of action would be to put your vehicle in a garage, said Detective Pasquarelli. To give you an idea, there was a point in 2021 when rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per At around $300, it was expensive. Use of CatClamp products is recommended by United States Department of Justice, registered Secured by Design/Sold Secure Gold standard product in the UK. Suitable for any type of transport, has a minimum configuration. No, someone didnt stuff a big block V8 engine under the hood, but rather the catalytic converter has likely been removed from the vehicle due to theft. The main thing is to consider how prevalent cat converter theft is in your area and whether you own a heavily targeted vehicle, such as an older Prius. Depending on your vehicles engine configuration, it may have more than one catalytic converter, such as a V8 engine with a dual-pipe exhaust system. There are simple ways to protect your vehicle from theft. It's a crime of convenience. This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement. Once installed, youll receive alerts directly to the beautiful OLED display. Thieves are now collecting dough on the black market by selling stolen catalytic converters to scrapyards. However, thats as far as an alarm will go. We can, however, make it a lot harder. The CatClamp is installed by placing the split clamp assemblies in place before and after the converter. Protect Your Catalytic Converter with One of These Devices, People Also Ask what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device. Most commonly, an alarm is wired to a motion detection sensor that activates when the exhaust system is jostled or motion is detected. To cut through the confusion and help you decide which security device is right for your vehicle, weve reviewed the most common types. For high-risk vehicles such as the Prius and Element, a car alarm is a must-have car security feature. It includes a remote control fob so that you can disable it. like when you need to go in for service, oil change. Most insurance policies don't cover cat theftand because it's a model-specific, EPA-regulated emissions device, catalytic-converter replacement can cost thousands from your dealer. For one, it contains valuable metals. I then found these alarms online and we now have them on all 3 cars/trucks in our family. If you're a Toyota Prius driver, you're in luck. Check out this post! . The base package includes Vipers Stinger DoubleGuard Shock If a person enters the first zone, the sensor will cause your alarm to make a chirping sound. Scrapyard owners then pass the converters along the chain to have the precious metals extracted. With a 3000 ft range, you get over 1/2 mile of coverage, which is sufficient in most circumstances. If you have a car alarm, turn up its sensitivity so that it goes off if your car is jostled. Once dulled, the blade becomes useless, requiring multiple blades and large amounts of time. What To Do When Your Catalytic Converter Is StolenContact the Authorities If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. So with that in mind, its time to take a closer look at each of the alarm systems in the reviews below. #1) Viper 5906V Responder HD. Every transaction, Richmond said, is documented with a drivers license and a photograph of the converter. , as many are located in plain sight. When a thief attempts to jack up the car, the alarm will sound off with 113 dB to scare them away. Catalytic converters can cost more than $2,000 and can be stolen in less than two minutes. Prius catalytic converters are worth more, hence the reason why thieves target Prius cars, particularly older models. Aside from typical anti-theft best practices like parking in well-lit areas and setting the car alarm to its most sensitive option, there's not a lot most of us can do to stop cat converter theft. When installed according to instructions, the thief must successfully cut through the strap not once, but twice, with 4 layers of dissimilar metals. Although they can vary in size and shape, most are about the size of a loaf of bread and are, located in the exhaust system between the engine and the muffler, Because catalytic converters require heat to operate, they must be as close to the engine as possible., Catalytic converters are an important part of any gas, diesel, and hybrid vehicles emissions systems, but theyre also a major target for theft. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this fact, which motivates them to sell stolen catalytic converters to places such as less-than-honorable recyclers. WebThe CatClamp has proven itself to be a superior product and sets the benchmark for catalytic converter security. What is a catalytic converter and how does it work? Lastly, the four bolts are tightened with a standard socket and the included tamper-proof installation tool. The best ones on the market will come with, or have an option to purchase additional security hardware such as tamper-proof screws. Conversely, catalytic converter shields made from 304 stainless steel are not the cheapest but is a more dense and rigid material and are difficult to cut through. As with all insurance policies, its important to read the fine print to identify what is and isnt covered by your policy. All Rights Reserved. Short answer: It depends. Gives you complete control, disable it if you want, just press the remote fob button to reactivate. Last year? Today, the Wienermobile is based on a Chevrolet W4 truck platform (Isuzu NPR) and is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 (242kW). Please check out a review of catalytic converter security devices here. Plus, there are more Prius owners. They are best used in conjunction with other catalytic converter security products to provide a visual deterrent to would-be thieves. It verifies the threat and only then does it activate the alarm. It includes a remote control fob so that you can disable it. like when you need to go in for service, oil change. The CatClamp was invented by the owner of American Welding Inc., a reputable custom fabrication shop in Toledo, OH. We advise that you go through their website and familiarize , The catalytic converter is an exhaust system part thats necessary for your car to pass safety and emissions inspections in many states. Depending on the brand, it may or may not be wrapped in some type of heat shield-resistant wrap. How does the catalytic converter alarm work? In fact, Pittsburgh Police met with law enforcement agencies across the area to compare notes in a coordinated effort to track down the thieves. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. Multi-Purpose Alarm. Now that youve examined the most commonly used security devices against catalytic converter theft, choosing which one is right for your vehicle comes down to the level of protection you need, and your budget. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. But rising prices for some metals has led to a jump in them being stolen and some unique Grab Some Swag Today.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 Portable Jump Starters for 2023, Tested, Best Portable Tire Inflators of 2023, Tested, Essential Items for Your Car's Winter Survival Kit, How to Keep Your Driveway Snow- and Ice-Free, Walmart Drops Prices on Goodyear All-Season Tires, Top OBD-II Scanners to Give Your Car a Checkup, 20 Essentials for Your Next Winter Road Trip, These Portable Tire Inflators Will Lift Your Mood. Thankfully, in recent years, automakers have caught on to this trend and made converter theft more difficult. If you do end up needing to replace your vehicles catalytic converter, there are aftermarket alternatives available for less than a factory replacement. Thieves are targeting catalytic converters in greater numbers than ever. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. For Prius owners, an additional motion sensor might be overkill. The same wire rope locks the converter to the chassis of the vehicle up to seven times, creating too much work for a thief in a hurry. Which cars are most at risk for catalytic converter theft rings? WebProtect your Toyota Prius with Cat Shield by MillerCAT -- the most advanced and functional security solution available for theft prevention of catalytic converters. Youll receive alerts directly to the beautiful OLED display used in conjunction with other catalytic converter, there are alternatives. Fabrication shop in Toledo, OH build the best ones on the brand it. Or metal protective cage around it you want, just press the remote button. 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