Economical means different things to different people, but a CatClamp can be purchased for under $200. Kinda like a thief who steals fake diamonds- they dont know it until they try and sell em, but theyve still been stolen! Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution, 21 Small Kitchen Appliances for $100 or Less, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen. NICB says insurance policies can cover replacement of a stolen catalytic converter, but only if theres a comprehensive policy in place. Sorry to hear about your van. We dont recognize that sign in. That number rose over 400% to 6021 in 2020. Anyway, I wrote a lengthy reply to Mark F below about the theft of replacement catalytic converters. A federal bill called the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act, or PART Act, was introduced in early 2022 and is still making its way through Congress. 7.3,gas engine. If you add the right opportunity, theres not much you can do to protect your cars catalytic converter from being stolen. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. Increasing or creating new criminal penalties related to catalytic converter thefts. Hi Mary. I have heard that once your more valuable older vehicle cat is stolen the thieves will have no interest in the replacements as there is not as much valuable metal in them. There were a little under 60,000 Prius and 82,000 Toyota Tundras sold in the US just in 2021 alone, all of them high targets for expensive catalytic converter theft. I personally have never installed a CatClamp (or any other Catalytic Converter device) on that specific vehicle. 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. Assistant Assigning Editor | Auto loans, consumer credit. The standard CatClamp is meant to be a universal fit, which really means the CatClamp may or may not fit. Tips for avoiding catalytic converter theft 1. 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.. Looking at replacement costs for a 2002 VW Jetta catalytic converter was a real eye openerespecially in the CARB states like California! If my travels have taught me anything, it's that stuffconsumer productsis at the center of daily life all over the world. Prius owners can relax a bit more than the rest of us (they seem pretty chill and unperturbed already anyway), because it's relatively easy to bolt a metal shield under their car. Depending on your car alarm to stop catalytic converter theft? You can prevent your vehicle from being stolen by observing the necessary few instructions. If youre parking on the street, try to pick a well-lit one with plenty of traffic. Gearist never sells your information to third-parties. Install a catalytic converter protection device. This new trend has made it important to protect not just whats inside your car, but whats underneath your car. Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. They are usually parked at the ends of the parking lot. If your Sorento was anything like the 2019 im familiar with 4cyl, AWD, the expensive cat is up near the engine, and theres a secondary one underneath. Sobering! Park in a well-lit area: Parking your vehicle in a well-lit area can help deter potential thieves from targeting it. WebConsider these tips to help protect your car from catalytic converter theft: Know if your car is a likely target: hybrids, SUVs and trucks have valuable or easily removable catalytic converters. The amazon link for the catclamp shows not available. Hi! The following are several ways to prevent catalytic converter theft: Park in well-lit areas. Her personal finance insight has been featured on Forbes, The Boston Globe and CNBC throughout the years. So I was thinking about the bike alarm, pairing with a dashcam. They couldnt get one for four months! Depending on the make and model of a car, certain catalytic converters, like the ones under a Toyota Prius, can fetch over $1,000 on the used market. Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. Why Are Catalytic Converters Being Stolen? 3. When my Honda Accord Catalytic Converter was stolen (located on the passenger side) I was parked against a curb. He adds that its a crime of opportunity, and car owners can take steps to encourage thieves to move on to easier prey. Julies writing has been published by USA Today, Business Insider and Wired Insights, among others. Is this an easy install for auto mechanics? 3. By clearly marking your catalytic converter you will be deterring the theft from happening in the first place. Unfortunately, a camera wont do much for stopping theft, but it may help the police after the fact. Most of them involve rebar in one way or another. An experienced thief will probably target a higher value item, but Ive heard of plenty of these secondary converters being stolen. I have a friend in Chicago who has had 2 stolen from the same Toyota Prius. Before joining NerdWallet, Julie oversaw editorial teams at NextAdvisor, Red Ventures and Quote.com. While attending college to earn a journalism degree, Shannon completed an internship that led not to the newsroom, but to a bank marketing department. Depending on what vehicle you drive, you may have some choices. It seems that there are some resourceful people out there coming up with their own DIY solutions. This should make it much more visible to passersby and surrounding properties, acting as a deterrent to potential thieves. More modern vehicles however, with better technology, their cars are mainly filled with Titanium and metals that are essentially worthless on small quantities. A steel shield that fits over the catalytic converter, requiring time and extra tools to remove. Other alarms are designed to be activated when the car is tilted, such as when it's jacked up. Im only familiar with the Gas Elantra, but if the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue catalytic converter setup is similar, youve got two catalytic converters: the primary one is up in the engine compartment at the manifold and a secondary one under your car inline with the exhaust system. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); The good news is, your car will run just fine without a catalytic converter. Good luck, the Catstrap is working for me since June 2021. But it did fit without a problem. Each one uses a different design to protect your catalytic converter, and ranges anywhere from $130 all the way to $270+ depending on what you choose. these inexpensive, self-contained motorcycle / bike alarms. Hope that helps. 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. These covers are easy to install too, with no welding required. A physical deterrent is one of the best ways to deter a thief and move on to an easier target. Officials said they would seek $545 million in forfeitures of cash, luxury cars and real estate from those arrested in the operation. To be honest, I guarantee you that they will be back. Our car experts choose every product we feature. While there is no guaranteed method of preventing theft, the goal is to make your car an unattractive target. I would definitely make some calls in your area to see about getting some physical protection on your vehicle like the CatClamp. Alarmsboth full vehicle systems and special converter-specific onesalso can be effective deterrents. Know if you're a target for catalytic converter theft, 2. You can turn up the sensitivity of your car alarm so that it goes off when thieves jostle your car. But rising prices for some metals has led to a jump in them being stolen, and some unique theft prevention methods. One way to prevent the theft of your catalytic converter is not to make it an obvious target for thieves. (This happened to me.). Im sure youll get a couple of Huh?s before you find one, but Im sure somebody local can help you out. Would the Millercat work on my car? Some weld a piece or two lengthwise (like the Catstrap above) to provide more cut resistance. This Grill Caddy Carries Utensils, Condiments and More for Smoother Barbecues, Upgrade Your Garage with This Family Handyman Approved DeWalt Socket Wrench Set, Family Handyman Approved: Sea Foam Motor Treatment, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The NICB says replacing a catalytic converter can range from $1,000 to $3,000, which doesnt include loss of work or paying for alternate transportation. For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible to keep your monthly premium low, you wouldnt file a claim on a repair that cost $1,200. Hello, Will your product work on a 2009 Kia Sportage? Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and to a shocking degree. Check out the reply to Jeffery about his E350 Bus, which is most likely a cutaway. Ive looked all over internet and cant find one that says it will work on it. We recommend our users to update the browser. Right now in my neighborhood the Honda CRVs are being targeted. Also made of durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum, this shield is ideal for older Priuses with the 1.5L engine. Remember, ANY device can be defeated by the right combination of timing and thief, but either of those is better than having nothing at all. Hello, Read more. I dont think car manufacturers can cover for every eventuality that MAY happen. But Sandman cautions that attaching the catalytic converter directly to the cars frame can be noisy since the exhaust system otherwise is suspended from the car by sound-buffering hangers. Quick and Easy Install: Apply CATETCH/CATGUARD labels directly to your clean, cool, and dry catalytic converter and use supplied etching fluid (with the brush) to the label as instructed. They left the resonator hanging, but did not cut the cat shield. Strategy 1: Park in a safe, well lit place with lots of traffic. Each has its own merits. However, with the e350 you have the advantage of having an actual frame instead of unibody construction like most passenger cars and SUVs. Not only to protect your catalytic converter, but to stop other crimes of opportunity. 19. The secondary, inline catalytic converter under the car is the one to worry about. Just lost the cat on my 2000 E-250. About $2,000 to $3,000, according to CARFAX. The idea of driving an old beater is false. Advising the public of the following could help prevent or slow down catalytic converter thefts in your jurisdiction: Park vehicles in a garage. The cars that are most commonly targeted for their catalytic converters are the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, One downside of the CatClamp is that installation can be difficult at home, but totally doable. There are a few subtle differences, but theyre pretty similar in design. Start the conversation with My catalytic converter was stolen, do you have any experience with the CatClamp?. Ive had a few in person conversations with people whove had the same experience as above- catalytic converter thieves physically threatening the owner when caught in the act. Can a Car Run Without a Catalytic Converter? I have a 2019 Kia Sorento. 2. Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodiumexpensive precious metals that react with exhaust gasses, heat up a ceramic honeycomb element, and convert harmful combustion byproducts, such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, into less harmful gasses. Get more smart money moves straight to your inbox. In addition to alarms, get motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible. 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/. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Check your insurance policy to see if the theft is covered. I agree with Erhan on this. Muffler shops would not do any type of welding cages or bars on my 04 Accord and I gave up locating a shield as none were being made (~ 5 months ago). If you have a carport or parking space at your home, install motion-detector security lights and set a car alarm. Park indoors if possible. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in minutes, sell it to scrap metal dealers and receive hundreds of dollars for the precious metals it contains. Unfortunately, no one we know of makes a protector shield of any kind for the Kia Sportage. Catalytic converters represent a treasure trove to potential thieves looking to make a quick buck. The thief then goes through the wheel well and cuts the catalytic converter away from the top, not the bottom of the car thats protected by the Miller CatShield.

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