It includes a remote control fob so that you can disable it. like when you need to go in for service, oil change. For a thief to steal the catalytic converter with the Cat Clamp installed, they would need to see through each cable extension and then cut the clamps. By the time you leave here today, youll be well on your way to beefing up your cars security. As the bolts are tightened, the clamps tighten down equally on the exhaust pipe and cable. 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. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Okay, if this device works it might just be groundbreaking because it's compatible with most small gas and diesel engines of any brand. IMPORTANT For high-riding vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorhomes. Police put out an alert for that van with Kentucky plates, and the men were busted in State college. That means it was pretty easy to defeat, but they gave it a pass. It can "see" from 1 to 20 feet, and has a 140 degree field of view, so it covers the entire area under your car. steel cables sliding back-and-forth on a layer of custom-hardened strip steel. Hybrid vehicles are particularly vulnerable, because those cats utilize even more of the precious metals within. Donut Media put some of these devices to the test! Additionally, a good system will include a 2-way remote that sends you direct alerts anytime someone approaches your vehicle. If your catalytic converter has been stolen, youll likely be able to tell as soon as your start your vehicle. Conversely, catalytic converter shields made from 304 stainless steel are not the cheapest but is a more dense and rigid material and are difficult to cut through. Theyre usually worth more than gold. Short answer: It depends. Sadly, the answer is yes. WebThe most effective solution to catalytic converter theft: BUNDLE: From $289.99 The combination of the Catstrap physical barrier and ear-piercing noise of the Cateye alarm The best catalytic converter security system for your vehicle Rust resistant Can be fitted with optional extras like tamper-proof screws for even greater security If youre not a fan of Viper alarm systems, then a worthy alternative is Compustar. What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? Will a car alarm stop catalytic converter theft? Other ways to tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen include: Increased exhaust fumes (or odd exhaust smell), Uneven acceleration due to lack of exhaust regulation, depending on the vehicle, but aside from the cost of replacing the actual converter itself, you also have to tack on labor costs and replacement of any parts that were damaged while the thief was trying to get your catalytic converter., The average cost to replace a catalytic converter ranges from about, Find insurance savings it's 100% free, Compare Free Quotes (& Save Hundreds per Year! Catalytic Converter Protector Shield Defender Aluminum This shield is highly efficient and protects the underside of your car from several dangers. But owners of these vehicles dont have to hit the panic button yet. 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. is a super straightforward process, and at each step, you can see exactly what coverage youre paying for. Visit a Mechanic. As a result, theyre one of the most common components of a car to be stolen. In turn, hybrid vehicles generally come equipped with higher-quality catalytic converters, meaning they contain more valuable precious metals. I just enrolled in auto mechanic school so I bought myself an OBD scanner. For Prius owners and other heavily-targeted vehicle owners, always check to make sure that your insurance policy covers catalytic converter theft. Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen? However, for owners of trucks and SUVs, the addition of a motion sensor is advisable to prevent catalytic converter theft. More than 270 converters were ripped off of car owners and their cars. WebTop 5 states for catalytic convert theft 1. 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. Photo by Chris Welch / Consequently, you have the option to use it as a standalone alarm for cat converter theft or use it along with your existing car alarm for added security. But you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. When complimented with the Catstrap, which lengthens what is normally a 45 second operation into an extremely time consuming effort, there is no possible way a human body can endure the siren long enough to complet.e the task of removing your catalytic converter. When installed together with a Viper system, youll also be able to receive alerts to your remote when the motion sensor detects motion. There are simple ways to protect your vehicle from theft. As we said above, unless you're a Prius owner most cat shields won't work for your vehicle. For this reason, a shock sensor will detect the jack and sound the alarm. Aside from typical antitheft best practices like parking in well-lit areas and setting the car alarm to its most sensitive option, theres not a lot most of us can do to stop cat converter theft , Best Alarms for Catalytic Converter Theft Reviewed. Of course, a determined thief will just remove the guard to get to the cat, but remembercatalytic converter thieves exist because cats are easy and fast to steal. Our high-tech vibration sensor ensures that your catalytic converter is protected at all times. Open cage design allows heat to dissipate normally from the converter. Investigators said they suspect that stolen catalytic converts re sold to chop shops or on the black market for approximately $200 each. Ask your mechanic if driving your specific vehicle without a catalytic converter is a safe option or if it will further damage it. Let's start with a product that's inexpensive and universal. Regarding functionality, this handy alarm detects both motion and vibration. johnson lumber. According to their testing, the Cat Clamp doubled the amount of time it would take a thief to steal the cat converter. 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. Thieves are now collecting dough on the black market by selling stolen catalytic converters to scrapyards. Here are the top 10 cars most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen in the U.S.:. With no decrease in the rate of catalytic converter theft, there are 5 simple ways to protect your car's catalytic converter from thieves. Catalytic converters help to keep air pollution from reaching such extreme levels. At the time of this writing, the Prestige system is more affordable than our top two picks. Otherwise, when a thief armed with a battery operated saw attempts to remove your catalytic converter, the Catstrap converts what is normally a 45-60 second theft into an extremely difficult-to-cut operation requiring multiple blades. Although they can vary in size and shape, most are about the size of a loaf of bread and are, located in the exhaust system between the engine and the muffler, Because catalytic converters require heat to operate, they must be as close to the engine as possible., Catalytic converters are an important part of any gas, diesel, and hybrid vehicles emissions systems, but theyre also a major target for theft. The best ones on the market will come with, or have an option to purchase additional security hardware such as tamper-proof screws. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. I know it doesnt really matter to me personally, but I hate clutter! There are many anti-theft devices for catalytic converters on the market. You can also purchase alarms that are activated if the car is tilted, such as when it's jacked up. This means despite the hotdog vans classic exterior, its exhaust system is equipped with a catalytic converter, as However, each vehicle application is different, so catalytic converter location within the exhaust system and quantity can vary. The CatClamp was invented by the owner of American Welding Inc., a reputable custom fabrication shop in Toledo, OH. 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. only pays out other drivers injuries and repair bills after an accident you causeit does nothing to protect you or your vehicle. Catalytic converters are expensive to replace, and no one wants to deal with thousands of dollars in unexpected costs out of pocket. He's also a smog technician and was working that day on a Prius when he noticed the problems other anti-theft devices we're creating. Do you know how to reset the Bluetooth in a Mini Cooper? Aside from typical anti-theft best practices like parking in well-lit areas and setting the car alarm to its most sensitive option, there's not a lot most of us can do to stop cat converter theft. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen? This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement. Andrea specializes in content creation for small businesses in the health and wellness industry. So how effective are catalytic converters? With so many targets and low-hanging fruit available, the last thing a criminal wants to do is spend hours with specialized tools making a racket trying to remove a shield. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this fact, which motivates them to sell stolen catalytic converters to places such as less-than-honorable recyclers. A motion sensor will catch thieves who dont need to use a jack. Steel Shields are 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.. For one, it contains valuable metals. While not specifically designed to prevent catalytic converter theft, it can work as a strong deterrent. The Cateye is an intelligent, SMART controller that senses human motion under your vehicle. Every transaction, Richmond said, is documented with a drivers license and a photograph of the converter. And it's easy to install. CatClamp keeps the thieves away with its award-winning design & proven durability. Is one of these worth it for you? Catalytic converters on the underside of vehicles help reduce emissions. Weve got you! The other common targets for converter theft are pickup trucks and SUVs. For full-sized pickups, there may not be enough material to protect a catalytic converter entirely. Since most car alarms include shock sensors, these sensors will detect the use of a jack. Designed to deter the issue of catalytic converter from 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-gradesteel cables sliding back-and-forth on a layer of custom-hardened strip steel. 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