In turn, hybrid vehicles generally come equipped with higher-quality catalytic converters, meaning they contain more valuable precious metals. However, each vehicle application is different, so catalytic converter location within the exhaust system and quantity can vary. Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. Once dulled, the blade becomes useless, requiring multiple blades and large amounts of time. Every transaction, Richmond said, is documented with a drivers license and a photograph of the converter. Although the cables are fairly tight next to the catalytic converter, the small amount of movement coupled with the strength of the steel cables makes it difficult to saw through. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, a thief will need to use a jack to access your exhaust. For full-sized pickups, there may not be enough material to protect a catalytic converter entirely. It verifies the threat and only then does it activate the alarm. The most effective solution to catalytic converter theft. The alarm is strapped to a part of the exhaust pipe with two metal straps. Catalytic converter theft has been rampant over the past couple of years. When choosing a car alarm to prevent catalytic converter theft, there are several routes to take. But do they really work? How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter from Theft, Watching a Catalytic Converter in Action Is Absolutely Mesmerizing, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. If you're a Toyota Prius driver, you're in luck. No wiring work required that can impact your vehicle's electric system. 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. It took the thieves less than 2 minutes to steal it! WebCatalytic Converter Alarm | Best Anti Theft Protection Fast Guard Alarms Home Catalytic Converter Alarm (1 PACK) Catalytic Converter Alarm (1 PACK) 80 reviews $52.00 | $46.00 Shipping calculated at checkout. 2007-2011 Honda CR-V Catalytic Converter Shield . When the engine is running, voltage high, when engine off, voltage is low. While not perfect, they are a significant contributor to better air quality in urban areas. Think you might be on the hit list for catalytic converter theft? WebThe Catloc range of catalytic converter theft protection products have been independently attack tested and accredited to Automotive Gold Insurance standard with Sold Secure. So how effective are catalytic converters? The best ones on the market will come with, or have an option to purchase additional security hardware such as tamper-proof screws. They filter toxic fumes and gases using specific (and very expensive) precious metalsplatinum, rhodium, and palladium. 304 stainless steel and aluminum is also resistant to oxidation for corrosion resistance which is important given a cat shield sits underneath a vehicle and is regularly exposed to road grime, rain, and snow. And if you dont have access to a secured parking facility, your next best option is to, install a camera or other security device to help deter thieves, . Why would someone steal a catalytic converter? You're going to want to read thisespecially if you drive a Toyota Prius. WebEffective and affordable catalytic converter alarm. Depending on the vehicle, some catalytic converters arent even welded in and are simply attached with bolts, which do not require electric cutting tools for removal. Next, this complete kit delivers just about everything you could ask for from an alarm system. Steel Shields are While it may only be a tiny device used to reduce harmful vehicle emissions, the metals in a catalytic converter are very attractive to thieves. Is catalytic converter theft on the rise? COMPLETE BOLT-ON PRIUS GEN 3/PRIUS V/LEXUS CT200H NOW AVAILABLE! Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. Included in the package is a dual-stage shock sensor with a nifty City Mode for city dwellers who want to protect against catalytic converter theft. 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. All rights reserved. WebGeico anti theft device categories. View Details . When buying a cat shield consideration must be given to the type of material used. Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, are often victims of catalytic converter theft because they are designed to be more emissions friendly than a standard gasoline car. This exhaust emission control device contains precious metals, and a crook can earn as much as $250 for a couple of minutes of work with a reciprocating saw. The CatClamp is by far the best engineered and most Afterward, they came up with a scoring rubric to grade each anti-theft methods overall effectiveness. Her first car was a Mazda 3 Sport GT. Plus, there are more Prius owners. Another issue with catalytic converter theft is the cost of replacement for the vehicle owner. If you are not 100% satisfied with our product you may return it for a full refund. No custom tools are needed for installation. The Cateye is an intelligent, SMART controller that senses human motion under your vehicle. Landing at third on our list is another affordable car alarm for catalytic converter theft. How much does it cost to replace a stolen catalytic converter? Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. 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. If you have a car alarm, turn up its sensitivity so that it goes off if your car is jostled. Products like the Cat Security catalytic shield place a metal plate over the converter to protect it. Other highlights include the multi-tone alarm, automatic arming/locking, and remote panic in all modes. Keep in mind that an alarm is only part of an anti-theft system. If youre not a fan of Viper alarm systems, then a worthy alternative is Compustar. The Cateye is programmed to require5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement"to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). I am looking for cat shield for my 2022 Lexus RX 450h, What shield do you recommend for a 2017 Mazda CX-5, I have a 2002 Lexus and have 3 convertors is there a shield for my car, What is a good anti theft device for my2016 santafe sport cat converter. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are commonly used within catalytic converters. The CatClamp is the patented original converter lock, and it has proven to be 99.9% effective for over ten years all around the world. These covers are easy to install too, with no welding required. Many unscrupulous thieves nationwide continue to steal catalytic converters from cars in order to make big bucks from the precious metals theyre made of. With a high dB alarm and alerts, you give yourself a much greater chance of protecting your investment. He also examined how the thieves are cashing in with these stolen converters, what vehicles they are targeting and what you can do to protect your vehicle. Target 11: Catalytic converter theft goes out of control in Pittsburgh (Part 2). Depending on which alarm you choose, the system utilizes sensors that catch thieves in the act. Protect Your Catalytic Converter with One of These Devices, People Also Ask what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device. Effective Protection -- Our catalytic converter anti-theft device deters thieves effectively by 113 dB loud alarm, Protect Your Vehicle Against Catalytic Converter Theft ! Once installed, the car owner can activate the alarm with the remote. After witnessing thousands of dollars of metal theft during his 15 years in business, the owner saw an opportunity to assist people in protecting themselves and their vehicles from these offenders. Practical SUVs the entire family will enjoy. The base package includes Vipers Stinger DoubleGuard Shock You can also purchase alarms that are activated if the car is tilted, such as when it's jacked up. , meaning that the catalytic converter theft rate is higher for specific models. Rhodium, for example, sells for thousands of dollars per ounce. The Best .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! Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. And just last month, police in North Huntingdon Township using surveillance images tracked down three men from Chicago they suspect stole $200,000 worth of converters from auto dealerships in western Pennsylvania. And it's easy to install. Thieves hope to make a big payday by melting down the precious metals found in the anti-pollution devices namely, platinum, car insurance policies doit depends on what kind of coverage you have. According to their testing, the Cat Clamp doubled the amount of time it would take a thief to steal the cat converter. Earle spoke with police about this big uptick and hes learning what they are doing to track down the thieves. | Watch WPXI NOW. Surveillance cameras at Mongiovi and Son Plumbing in Kennedy Twp. Because no matter how many precautions you take, theres always the chance of theft occurring. These shields often require installation by a professional as they take advantage of the structural rigidity of a vehicle's chassis to make them difficult to remove by catalytic converter thieves. for theft because theyre low emissions, so their catalytic converters contain. As of June 2021, approximately 18,000 catalytic converter theft claims had been reported to State Farm, which likely represents only a fraction of the total catalytic WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. Depending on the target, they dont even need a jack to raise the To cut through the confusion and help you decide which security device is right for your vehicle, weve reviewed the most common types. This required a number of 5 minute attack tests being carried out, using a variety of theft tools and methods. Here are the common types of catalytic converter anti-theft devices that you might come across: 1. But experts told Earle there are some things you can do to protect your converter. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. IMPORTANT For high-riding vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorhomes. #1) Viper 5906V Responder HD. For Prius owners, this sensor will surely detect a jack. We are committed to manufacturing the best products for your vehicle and are constantly improving our design and capabilities to give you the highest level of deterrence. I know it doesnt really matter to me personally, but I hate clutter! Install an antitheft device or metal protective cage around it. Maybe you live in a shady part of town or an area thats experienced a spike in catalytic converter thefts. The Honda Accord and the Jeep Patriot round out the top three. All Shields come with free ground shipping to lower 48 states! There are several security devices to prevent catalytic converter theft with varying effectiveness. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Prius catalytic converters are worth more, hence the reason why thieves target Prius cars, particularly older models. If those are too pricey, Detective Pasquarelli offered some other tips. With CatSecur, you can now have peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure from theft. If youve never seen a catalytic converter, you likely have no idea what it looks like. This lock attaches to the vehicles exhaust system and makes it very difficult for thieves to remove the converter. 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. The Cat Shield is secured using patented tamperproof screws for added security. For more content on new and used vehicles, electric vehicles, as well as vehicle ownership, be sure to check out the TrueCar blog for updates. Next, the 1-mile range is one of the longest youll find. and TrueCar, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Scrapyard owners then pass the converters along the chain to have the precious metals extracted. Which Types of Vehicles Are Prone to Catalytic Converter Theft? Which cars are most at risk for catalytic converter theft rings? With the dual-stage shock & impact sensor, youll always be one step ahead of thieves. Theres no way that anyone in the vicinity wouldnt hear this alarm once its been triggered. Investigators say thieves are targeting converters for the costly precious metals insidelike platinum and rhodium. We haven't tried it, but we're eager to hear from those who have. Always keep in mind that any car alarm is a deterrent. These can be installed on vehicles and may or may not need specialized tools. Some vehicles have more than one, and , Oil (if the engine burns oil)Tetraethyl lead (leaded petrol, some people still use leaded avgas in old cars due to the high octane and valve seat protection)Excessive unburned fuel (caused by a misfire or bad metering)Too high exhaust temperature (usually due to a lean running engine, meaning too little fuel for the amount of air coming in). Most commonly, an alarm is wired to a motion detection sensor that activates when the exhaust system is jostled or motion is detected. What is a catalytic converter and how does it work? While such a blade can cut through one cable at a time, the same blade is useless when faced with cutting through three parallel aircraft-grade. 362 North Westwood AvenueToledo, OH 43607, Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PMEastern Standard Time, Products Patent number 7,971,676, other patents pending only, The Best Security System Available for Theft Prevention of Catalytic Converters & Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). Short answer: It depends. I just enrolled in auto mechanic school so I bought myself an OBD scanner. Best Alarms for Catalytic Converter Theft Reviewed. The most effective catalytic converter security systems are usually custom-made to fit a particular model of vehicle and are much more difficult for thieves to bypass. Use of CatClamp products is recommended by United States Department of Justice, registered Secured by Design/Sold Secure Gold standard product in the UK. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, its estimated that catalytic converter theft rates have increased by 326% in 2020 and another 353% in 2021. All Rights Reserved. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners. The printed warning may indicate the fitment of a GPS tracker, engraved part, or other theft deterrent system. The Cateye is programmed to require, 5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement". However, quality and longevity may not always equal that of the factory converter. Our high-tech vibration sensor ensures that your catalytic converter is protected at all times. Or if you live in a condo or apartment and have. No fees, ever. 5 Ways to Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your Catalytic Converter. The included remote features an LCD with clear updates and notifications. The base package includes Vipers Stinger DoubleGuard Shock Sensor, which has the ability to detect both light and heavy impact. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Alarm with the dual-stage shock & impact sensor, which has the ability to both. You live in a condo or apartment and have is secured using patented tamperproof screws for added security an... The amount of time Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices Prius 3/PRIUS... 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Of replacement for the costly precious metals insidelike platinum and rhodium are commonly used within catalytic converters these,... To require, 5-15 seconds of `` sustained, purposeful movement '' just everything! And accredited to Automotive Gold Insurance standard with Sold Secure first car was a Mazda 3 Sport GT it really! Before they are published include the multi-tone alarm, protect your vehicle if youve never seen a catalytic theft!