Donut Media put some of these devices to the test! 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. All in all, when shopping for the best car alarm for catalytic converter theft, stick with one of the systems mentioned in this article or with the manufacturers. Will a car alarm stop catalytic converter theft? Catalytic converters are generally easy to access; it takes an average of three minutes for a thief to slide under a car or (especially) a truck and simply cut it out with a hacksaw or Sawzall. The best deterrent for this crime is a simple device called a catalytic converter lock. Just set the motion-based alarm with a fob whenever the vehicle is parked, and it shrieks if it gets jostled or moved. The thief leaves without your catalytic converter in hand - saving you thousands! Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Dont have a car camor, at best, a camera that catches your driveway? What Can I Do to Keep My Catalytic Converter Secure? Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. The final option is a universal motion sensor that can be added to a new or existing car alarm system. Raw exhaust gases from a vehicles engine are fed directly into the catalytic converter, which is often shaped like a canister or a small muffler, to help remove toxic pollutants before the exhaust exits the vehicles tailpipe. We haven't tried it, but we're eager to hear from those who have. However, if you drive a late-model Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with a 3.5L engine you're in luck because MillerCat has designed a cat shield just for you. A good security device will be designed to suit a specific vehicle, made from material that cant be easily cut through and cant be easily bypassed or removed. When the engine is running, voltage high, when engine off, voltage is low. Our proprietary strip steel is designed for maximum cutting resistance (55 Rockwell-C hardness: 4.5X harder than 304 Stainless Steel). What Exactly Is a Catalytic Converter & How Does it Work? As the bolts are tightened, the clamps tighten down equally on the exhaust pipe and cable. Making yours harder than the next one dramatically reduces your chances of being a victim. Finally, this system also features remote start and keyless entry capabilities for added convenience. The catalytic converter on most vehicles is generally located between the exhaust manifold (where exhaust gases initially exit the engine during combustion) and the muffler (the device located at the tailpipe which reduces excessive and unwanted engine noise). The included remote features an LCD with clear updates and notifications. The user-friendly LCD remote allows you to easily set up your alerts and keep tabs on your vehicle at all times. Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Our high-tech vibration sensor ensures that your catalytic converter is protected at all times. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, there are several anti-theft devices on the market. Clearly, the need to remove and replace the alarm each time you park could become tedious depending on how often you park. A full alarm system gives you greater security, more convenient features, and the all-important alerts to know when someone is trying to infiltrate your exhaust system. If you do end up needing to replace your vehicles catalytic converter, there are aftermarket alternatives available for less than a factory replacement. If you have a car alarm, turn up its sensitivity so that it goes off if your car is jostled. Practical SUVs the entire family will enjoy. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. 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. Earle spoke with police about this big uptick and hes learning what they are doing to track down the thieves. Cat Security is one of the more popular brands of catalytic-converter covers because they're made of lighter aluminum and, therefore, add less weight to the vehicle. There are several different types of underbody alarms designed to protect against catalytic converter theft. To put this into perspective, a catalytic converter removes upwards of 90% of harmful gases caused by internal combustion. Designed to deter Police put out an alert for that van with Kentucky plates, and the men were busted in State college. Certain vehicles are more prone to catalytic converter theft than others. The stolen car parts can cost about $1,500 each to replace. , making them of higher value to thieves. 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). Store vehicles in a garageSecure lots with fencing and good lightingPost Property Under Surveillance signageMonitor your property with security camerasInclude VIN or license plate numbers on your catalytic converterInstall security devices, such as cat straps or cat clamps The best ones on the market will come with, or have an option to purchase additional security hardware such as tamper-proof screws. , as many are located in plain sight. Visit a Mechanic. 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. With a high dB alarm and alerts, you give yourself a much greater chance of protecting your investment. A motion-sensitive dash cam or driveaway cam can help notify you of theft or record the license plate of the vehicle involved., Motion-activated driveway lights can also help deter thefts and bring attention to illegal activity.. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, 113dB vibration alarm to scare away thieves effectively, Bicycle, Scooter, Motorcycle Alarm (1 PACK), One vibration alarm (runes on 3 AAA batteries), One modern remote control with a 2-5 year batter life, One self-adhesive heat-blocking pad (to be placed on the back of the alarm), One screwdriver - Use for opening alarm case and changing the batteries, One pry tool - Use to help open up the alarm case, Two stainless steel self-locking mounting straps, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. No, the majority of mechanics do not steal catalytic converters. Which cars are most at risk for catalytic converter theft rings? 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. Depending on your car, its best to opt for professional installation to ensure you install the proper sensors to keep thieves at bay. 2023 Cox Media Group. If youre handy with alarm installation, chances are youll be able to install it yourself. There are many anti-theft devices for catalytic converters on the market. #1) Viper 5906V Responder HD. They arrested the individuals in the van that were still sleeping in the van with sawzall blades and everything in the van, said Pasquarelli. 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. 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. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen? There are several security devices to prevent catalytic converter theft with varying effectiveness. Primarily, an alarm is a great deterrent since the high-dB alarm sound will tell thieves to scram. One cool feature that smart device fans will enjoy is the ability to use app control via your smartphone. The Cat Strap was also easy to install, and its stealthy. The heavy-duty wire acts like a cage around your converter, effectively tying it to your frame. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 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. 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. A few aftermarket companies have developed metal shields that easily bolt to the undercarriage of 2004-up Priusesand even some late-model Tacoma pickups. Why Would Someone Steal My Cars Catalytic Converter? It's "universal" because it hangs loosely via metal hose clamps to the exhaust under the car, so, theoretically, it should fit nearly any car or truck. Or if you live in a condo or apartment and have. According to State Farm claims data, catalytic converter theft increased by almost 300% from 2020 to 2021. CLICK HERE to view and purchase our full line of products. And it's easy to install. In most cases the mere sight of the Catstrap, with its Bright Orange surface and the yellow warning label results in the best possible result, they "Just Go Away". IMPORTANT For high-riding vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorhomes. The Cateye works by using a specialized motion sensor that detects motion under your car. Afterward, they came up with a scoring rubric to grade each anti-theft methods overall effectiveness. REAL CUSTOMER SERVICEFeel free to call, email or text us for any help! Does insurance cover stolen catalytic converters? If you are not 100% satisfied with our product you may return it for a full refund. 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. For instance, a car alarm with a motion sensor will detect when thieves are below your car. 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. and TrueCar, Inc. All rights reserved. Today, the Wienermobile is based on a Chevrolet W4 truck platform (Isuzu NPR) and is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 (242kW). Maybe you live in a shady part of town or an area thats experienced a spike in catalytic converter thefts. People Also Searches what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device, 3 Ways To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Video Answer, catalytic converter anti theft device tacoma, catalytic converter theft deterrent system, how to protect catalytic converter from theft, What does a catalytic converter do on a car, What is the function of catalytic converter, Would you know if your catalytic converter is bad, Would there be a problem removing catalytic converter, Would the fuel injectors cause the catalytic converter to fail, Would the catalytic converter make 2002 buick regal hesitates, Would replacing my catalytic converter also fix my faulty transmission. PITTSBURGH Watch part 2 to this Target 11 story below. Suitable for any type of transport, has a minimum configuration. The most effective solution to catalytic converter theft. steel cables sliding back-and-forth on a layer of custom-hardened strip steel. Our proprietary strip steel is designed for maximum cutting resistance (55 Rockwell-C hardness: 4.5X harder than 304 Stainless Steel). 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. Thieves are more than aware of the antitheftboss.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Subscribe for news & resources about 2023 security innovations, Top 5 Car Alarms to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft, Best Alarms for Catalytic Converter Theft Reviewed, #2) Compustar CS7900-AS All-in-One 2-Way Remote Start + Alarm Bundle, #3) Prestige APS997Z Two-Way LCD Confirming Remote Start & Alarm, #4) Wsdcam Wireless Anti-Theft Bicycle Motorcycle Alarm, #5) Directed Electronics 508D Install Essentials Dual Zone Motion Sensor. 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. The blade can't grip the steel cables properly because they create a moving target. Channel 11 Investigation: Domestic extremists targeting your electricity. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this fact, which motivates them to sell stolen catalytic converters to places such as less-than-honorable recyclers. Ask your mechanic if driving your specific vehicle without a catalytic converter is a safe option or if it will further damage it. How is car insurance determined by insurance companies? Thats the van pulling in, said Rachele Mongiovi, of Mongiovi and Son Plumbing in Kennedy Twp. Extremely Difficult to Cut: Turns a Normal 60sec Theft into a Struggle that Overwhelms Thieves, and Prevents You from Being an Easy Target, Custom-Hardened Band Steel Inside the Catstrap Dulls the Teeth of the Saw Bl, Low-Profile - Requires no space clearance Flexible - Follows any contour, A TOUGH CUTTING BARRIER AND THEFT DETERRENT TO PROTECT YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, Infrared Smart Sensor activates 130 dB Siren to Keep Thieves Out from Under your Vehicle. View Details . For full-sized pickups, there may not be enough material to protect a catalytic converter entirely. Have you ever stood outside or sat in your car at a stoplight, only to see a Toyota Prius casually drive by, followed by a deafening roar? To give you an idea, there was a point in 2021 when rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per Just attach leads to the battery. Our high-tech vibration sensor ensures that your catalytic converter is protected at all times. But they also said that a thief could easily cut it off, and it wasnt loud enough to get anyones attention. Which Types of Vehicles Are Prone to Catalytic Converter Theft? It took the thieves less than 2 minutes to steal it! However, for owners of trucks and SUVs, the addition of a motion sensor is advisable to prevent catalytic converter theft. Open cage design allows heat to dissipate normally from the converter. When activated, it requires virtually no energy - no worries about draining your battery - even after months of no activity. The Cateye automatically turnson and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. 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. Products like the Cat Security catalytic shield place a metal plate over the converter to protect it. Depending on which alarm you choose, the system utilizes sensors that catch thieves in the act. The best vehicle anti-theft devices to keep your car safe, A catalytic converter, sometimes called a "cat," is a part of a cars exhaust system. Target 11 discovered they are after the precious metals deep inside the converter. However, there are a number of anti-theft devices in the market designed to keep a cars catalytic safely intact. 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