catalytic converters theft is on the rise across the country. This antipollution equipment can be stolen in minutes and sold for hundreds of dollars to scrap metal dealers for the precious metals it comprises. Based on whether the cat converter is bolted or welded in, thieves often use a saw or wrench to remove it, and it can take as little as one minute. So, what can you do to avoid the theft of catalytic converters? Continue reading to learn more about what thieves may be looking for and how to protect your car. How to protect yourself from catalytic converter theft?1. Determine whether you’re a target of catalytic converter theft.Call a reputable local muffler shop and inquire about the cars that have been targeted in your region. They’ll tell you about adjacent vehicles that have been spotted in the shop for catalytic converter replacements, such as Ford pickups, Honda Elements, and Jeep Cherokees. The Prius seems to have a catalytic converter that holds more of the rhodium, palladium, and platinum that turn pollutants harmless as an ultra-low-emissions vehicle. Thieves frequently target trucks and SUVs because it is easier to crawl under the car rather than jack it up. The catalytic converter is sometimes unbolted, but more frequently than not, thieves just cut the connecting pipes with a battery-operated saw. 2. Secure your catalytic converter with an anti-theft device.It is far less expensive to purchase a cable locking device than to replace a cat converter. Such gadgets to safeguard the catalytic converter, which is part of the exhaust machine that functions along the bottom of your automobile, can be found on the internet. The cost of installing anti-theft equipment ranges from $250 to $800. Here are some of the most common gadgets:
Some muffler companies may custom weld a device like this to your vehicle. However, because the exhaust system is normally suspended from the car by sound-absorbing hangers, installing the catalytic converter directly to the frame can be noisy. 3. Apply a coat of paint to your catalytic converter.Some sites advocate painting your catalytic converter with a high-temperature neon orange paint similar to that used on barbecue grills and afterward inscribing your vehicle identification number on the painted surface. This makes it traceable, and a competent scrap metal dealer might refuse to buy it, at least in principle. 4. Install a burglar alarm or a security camera to catch thieves.You can improve the sensitivity of your security alarm so that it sounds when your car is jostled. That’s OK, but when your cat jumps on the car in the middle of the night, the alarm goes off. Other alarms are set to go off when the automobile is slanted, like when it’s jacked up. Placing a motion-sensitive dash cam can alert you to a pending theft and possibly film the getaway car’s license plate. We recommend getting motion-sensitive lights in addition to alarms and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever feasible. We also recommend getting to know your neighbors so you can spot outsiders lurking around parked cars. 5. Verify your auto insurance policy.Theft of motor parts is covered under comprehensive insurance. You’re insured, minus your deductible, if you have full coverage, which includes liability insurance as well as collision and comprehensive policies that repair or replace your own automobile. If you have a loan or a lease, it is usually required. If you have a car with a high risk of catalytic converter theft, you might want to reduce your deductible. You are not insured for theft if you merely have liability coverage. 6. Park near building entrances and in well-lit places.If your home has a garage, park your car inside and close the garage door. The idea is to make it more difficult for crooks to steal for a quick profit. If your automobile is parked in a garage, the perpetrator’s ability to get close to it is substantially reduced, preventing theft. Furthermore, lit places will prevent robbers. 7. Etch the ConvertorThieves can be deterred by etching your license plate number, driver’s license number, or phone number on your cat converter. You may either get an etcher for roughly $20 and perform it yourself or hire a mechanic to do it for you. Some law enforcement authorities will offer you free assistance with this etching.
from https://chicagoautohaus.com/how-can-i-stop-someone-from-stealing-my-catalytic-converter/
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June 2017
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