How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?

How can you prevent catalytic converter theft? 

1. Park your car in a secure, well-lit area or garage
2. Install a metal cage around your car’s catalytic converter.
3. Ensure that your car’s alarm is properly working

No one wants to be the victim of a theft — much more when we’re talking about cars. Your car is an investment. But at times, when your entire car isn’t stolen, a part of your car can still be stolen. At times, what ends up stolen may be as essential to the overall function of your vehicle. Some thieves who truly know the most valuable car parts will choose to go for one thing: your automobile’s catalytic converter. That’s why in this blog, we provide expert tips on how to prevent catalytic converter theft. 

What Is A Catalytic Converter? 

What exactly is a catalytic converter anyway? Let’s start with what its name means. “Catalytic” means it has something to do with a catalyst, which by definition initiates or begins something. The word “converter” means that something is changed from one thing to another. In the case of this certain auto part, a catalytic converter initiates a change at a chemical level. 

A catalytic converter changes harmful exhaust gasses such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide to nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. So to put things simply, a catalytic converter mainly has a lot to do with what your automobile does to the environment.

Burning fuel is what makes your engine go, and the output in its raw form is directly harmful. After this became common knowledge, the need for a catalytic converter became a standard requirement for cars in 1975 in the United States. Different countries also set their own legislations regarding automobile exhaust regulations, which are then measured by emission tests. 

So, in a world that’s increasingly suffering from air pollution and the long-term climate change consequences, catalytic converters are absolutely essential for cars. Unfortunately, catalytic converters are also one of the most high-valued targets by auto part thieves.  

Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen?

It’s important to remember that catalytic converters are expensive. In order for a catalytic converter to function the way it does, it requires certain rare elements. Namely, rhodium, platinum, and palladium. These are precious metals for which metal scrappers have a high demand. The price per gram for each precious metal varies from time to time, but on average every stolen catalytic converter fetches around 150 to 300 USD for regular vehicles, and a whopping 1,400 USD for more expensive, modern hybrid vehicles. So, practically and realistically speaking, the main goal of catalytic converter thieves is cold, hard cash. 

So what can you do to prevent your car’s catalytic converter from being stolen? To prevent your car’s catalytic converter from being stolen, you ought to have a general overall mindset when it comes to your car’s protection and security.

Park your car in a secure, well-lit area or garage

This is the most obvious prevention method, but this may also not be as easy as it’s said. Not all car owners have garages to park their cars in, but then again those that do have garages do sometimes choose to not park their cars inside anyway. But if you don’t have a garage, do your best to make sure that your car is parked in a spot that you deem safe.

Install a metal cage around your car’s catalytic converter

Yes. It is indeed a thing. Usually, when you know you live in a desperate neighborhood, desperate measures are required. It’s a little makeover done to your car’s undercarriage, but it’s for your car’s security and for the greater good.

Ensure that your car’s alarm is properly working

A working car alarm is a good deterrent against thieves. Of course, it makes sense that when a car is making noise, it draws attention to itself. Once other people see a random person with a crowbar or a hacksaw lying down under your car, I’m pretty sure it will raise a few concerns.

Key Takeaway

In this blog, we provide some of the most effective tips on how to prevent catalytic converter theft. Protecting this valuable automobile part can be simple! 

If ever your car’s catalytic converter gets stolen, make sure that you get a replacement from a trustworthy and reliable auto supplies store such as Roberts. Then the second time around, remember to do your best to learn from that experience and apply those three steps to prevent your car’s catalytic converter from being stolen again!

At Roberts, can provide high-quality, tested, and reliable OEM vehicle parts, including catalytic converters. Our clientele composed of Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Isuzu can attest to our commitment to providing high-quality vehicle parts.