How Do You Know the Catalytic Converter Is Bad

Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationwide. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in a matter of minutes and sell it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars for the precious metals it contains.

Insurance giant State Farm says it handled three times every bit many catalytic converter theft claims in 2021 every bit it did in 2020 — and more 10 times as many every bit in 2019.

A replacement for a stolen catalytic converter can cost as much as $iii,000 for the ofttimes-targeted Toyota Prius, says Colby Sandman, possessor of Muffler Tech in Sacramento, California, who saw an uptick in thefts as the lockdowns took concord. At present, his shop replaces fifteen to 20 stolen catalytic converters each 24-hour interval.

Such a theft is a "crime of opportunity," Sandman says, then removing that like shooting fish in a barrel opening will crusade these cat burglars to move on to easier casualty.

Hither are the top tips from mechanics and law enforcement agencies to avoid a wrenching feel and a costly repair.

Your Car-Ownership Crook Sheet

Become Nerdy quick tips on how to streamline the car-buying process even before you lot hit the dealership.

1. Know if you're a target for catalytic converter theft

Call a good local muffler store and enquire what cars have been targeted in your area, Sandman recommends. I called a shop and, sure enough, they reeled off many vehicles affected nearby, such every bit Ford trucks, Honda Elements and Jeep Cherokees, that had oftentimes been seen in the store for a catalytic converter replacement.

"The Prius is the No. 1 vehicle for cat thefts" in the Sacramento area, Sandman says. As an ultra depression-emissions vehicle, the Prius has a catalytic converter that contains more of the rhodium, palladium and platinum that return pollutants harmless.

Trucks and SUVs are often hit by thieves because it's easy to slide under the vehicle rather than jack it up. Sometimes thieves unbolt the catalytic converter, but more ofttimes they simply cut the connecting pipes using a bombardment-operated saw.

ii. Install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter

Investing in a cable locking device is much cheaper than replacing a catalytic converter, says Arantxa Chavarria, public information officer for the Long Embankment, California, police department. The internet is filled with such devices to protect the catalytic converter, which is part of the exhaust system that runs along the bottom of your car. The anti-theft devices Sandman'due south shop installs range from $250 to $800.

Here are a few of the pop devices:

• A steel shield that fits over the catalytic converter, requiring fourth dimension and actress tools to remove.

• Cages made of rebar or other loftier-strength steel that's difficult to cut.

• Stainless steel cables welded from the catalytic converter to the car's frame.

Some muffler shops will custom-weld such a device to your machine. But Sandman cautions that attaching the catalytic converter directly to the car's frame can be noisy since the exhaust system otherwise is suspended from the machine by audio-buffering hangers.

3. Paint your catalytic converter

Some sources recommend using a loftier-temperature fluorescent orange paint, such as those sprayed on barbecue grills, on your catalytic converter and and so inscribing your vehicle identification number in the painted surface. This makes it traceable, and in theory at least, a reputable scrap metallic dealer might refuse to purchase it.

four. Ready an alarm or camera to grab thieves

You can turn up the sensitivity of your car warning so that information technology goes off when thieves jostle your car. That's fine, but as Sandman points out, then the alarm blares when your cat jumps on the auto in the eye of the night. Other alarms are designed to exist activated when the car is tilted, such equally when it's jacked up. Installing a motion-sensitive dash cam can notify yous of a theft in progress or perchance record the license plate of the getaway auto.

In add-on to alarms, Chavarria recommends getting motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible. She as well suggests getting to know your neighbors then you can recognize strangers who might be casing parked vehicles. I checked my local Nextdoor.com and institute most a dozen accounts of catalytic converter thefts in the past three months.

five. Check your motorcar insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers stolen auto parts.

If you lot have full coverage — liability insurance, plus standoff and comprehensive policies that repair or replace your ain machine — you're covered, minus your deductible corporeality. It's typically required if you have a loan or lease. If you lot have a vehicle at high risk for a catalytic converter theft, you lot might consider lowering your deductible amount.

If you carry liability coverage simply, you lot're non covered for theft.

What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen

If you lot come up out in the morn and starting time your auto, you lot'll know by the loud frazzle racket that your catalytic converter was stolen. Hither are a few steps that can get you going again:

• Aftermarket catalytic converters are cheaper, but brand sure they're allowed in your state. A good muffler shop should know what'due south legal. In some cases, an aftermarket catalytic converter will be less desirable and prevent hereafter thefts.

• Ask your mechanic if driving your motorcar without the catalytic converter will farther impairment it. If not, drive only to the repair store.

• Contact your insurance company and take pictures of the damaged exhaust pipe where the catalytic converter used to exist.

• File a police force study, which can easily be done online in many jurisdictions. This will aid police track such crimes and might assist in arrests.

• While your new catalytic converter is being installed, ask the repair shop about adding an anti-theft device to prevent future thefts.

How Do You Know the Catalytic Converter Is Bad

Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/5-ways-to-foil-catalytic-converter-thieves

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