Park strategically. Not only to protect your catalytic converter, but to stop other crimes of opportunity. Where you park your car wont make a difference and where you live doesnt matter. OEM replacements are around $500. Just set the motion-based alarm with a fob whenever the vehicle is parked, and it shrieks if it gets jostled or moved. https://www.catstrap.net/product-page/cateye-electronic-alarm. The only real way to prevent your catalytic converter from getting stolen is not to have one! Check your passenger side fender liner and see if its loose and/or missing bolts. In addition to alarms, get motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible. 1. Planning on using zip ties and heavy duty velcro to mount them somewhere else, away from an easy access point. She spent more than 30 years in banking as a writer of financial education content. My 12 Prius cat was stolen 2 months ago and Im waiting for the replacement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gearist specializes in real use, unbiased product and gear reviews for endurance sports and outdoor adventures. Jon Langston is an avid motorcyclist and gear collector whose work has appeared in Mens Journal, Cycle World, The Drive, Rider, Iron & Air, Motorcyclist, and more. In this particular model that Jay mentions (of which there are extremely similar ones on Amazon for bikes, etc.) What would be the best shield/strap/or clamp for this large vehicle that is high off the ground? Lead Writer | Personal finance, car buying, loans. 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. My reporting has taken me everywhere from Baghdad, Iraq, to the Detroit auto show, along the U.S.-Mexico border and everywhere in between. Good luck, the Catstrap is working for me since June 2021. As mentioned in the article, theres all levels of thief. Apply a commercial catalytic theft prevention device such as CatClamps or CAT Security. When it comes to catalytic converter theft, insurance coverage can vary depending on the policy. All the Priuses in my neighborhood have been targeted. Ive looked all over internet and cant find one that says it will work on it. 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. If it was my money and I was protecting a Prius or an Element, Id go for one of the cat shields. 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. You can help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate number on it, parking in well-lit areas and installing an anti-theft device. Shannon is based in Newburgh, Indiana. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and to a shocking degree. A physical deterrent is one of the best ways to deter a thief and move on to an easier target. Should I get the catshield? Acat shield is a plate of metal that attaches to the bottom of your car and guards your catalytic converter. Some sources recommend using a high-temperature fluorescent orange paint, such as those sprayed on barbecue grills, on your catalytic converter and then inscribing your vehicle identification number in the painted surface. Ive mentioned before that Id like something like the MillerCat for my Honda because of the clean looks. You can buy the CatClamp directly from CatClamp.com or try one of the many online auto parts stores. Thanks. It would require the VIN to be stamped on catalytic converters of new vehicles and would create a grant program for VIN stamping of existing vehicles. Here is a list of our partners. Depending on what vehicle you drive, you may have some choices. Anti-theft devices: Catalytic converter anti-theft devices are available from various manufacturers and range from steel plates protecting the underside of the vehicle to cages made from steel cables that are meant to discourage thieves from stealing a converter by making removal more time-consuming, which in turn increases the thiefs exposure to getting caught. Well have to look into that link, but try CatClamp.com if you cant find it on Amazon. To be honest, I guarantee you that they will be back. Always follow safety procedures or contact a professional. So, what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device? One way to prevent the theft of your catalytic converter is not to make it an obvious target for thieves. Aside from comprehensive insurance coverage and setting your alarm to its most sensitive setting, is there anything we vehicle owners can do to make sure we're not stuck with expensive repairs? If youre talking about one of the shields, youre only going to have access to the back half of the exhaust. So yes, go for the safe, well lit area over the dark quiet alley. 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. I would definitely make some calls in your area to see about getting some physical protection on your vehicle like the CatClamp. Colby Sandman, owner of Muffler Tech in Sacramento, California, says replacing the converter on a Honda Accord or Toyota Prius can be up to $3,500. Thanks, F-350 diesel dually owner! Your exhaust system is designed to move around a little bit, and that hard connection can cause other issues down the road with other components. It's exclusive, award-winning, patented cable cage design surrounds the catalytic converter with aircraft-grade wire rope that is very difficult to cut, even with power tools. SWIM, BIKE, RUN Focused on you, the athlete we bring you informative articles and gear reviews about cycling, running, trail running, triathlons and other endurance sports. 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/. Heres hoping they work! The Catlock is another clamp and cable device catalytic converter lock, although not as substantial as the CatClamp. 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. Im assuming your e350 bus is on a van cutaway chassis? Just lost the cat on my 2000 E-250. You can prevent your vehicle from being stolen by observing the necessary few instructions. Check out the selection of cat shields and covers below, as well as a couple of other suggestions: a device designed to "lock" your catalytic converter in place and a motion-sensitive alarm to sense when the cat itself it being messed with. 4. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Youd be looking to protect the secondary one. Can you confirm that? Would the Millercat work on my car? But what really makes catalytic converters an appealing target is how easy they are to steal. If theres no damage to the Miller CatShield, it may be safe to say that your replacement catalytic converter got stolen by one of the more clever thieves out there. I had mine stolen a few weeks ago (a 2011 Prius) as well as the oxygen tube (?) Although professional installation is suggested, If youre comfortable changing your own oil you shouldnt have a problem installing this yourself. She spent more than 30 years in banking as a writer of financial education content. Order your CatShield direct and use Discount Code : GEARIST. Sobering! If you're a Toyota Prius driver, you're in luck. Whatever you do, do not weld your catalytic converter to the frame or make a hard, inflexible connection. If Im remembering correctly, the Subarus of this era had two catalytic converters: One primary tucked up near the engine, and a secondary cat in the usual spot under the vehicle. Not that this can help you now but may help someone else reading this: Miller has reworked their Prius CatShield design to help combat this theft technique, (see it here) and offers an add on for earlier shields called the Deadbolt. At the low end, youve probably spent at least a couple of hundred $$$ on the replacement- Why not spend a little more for some peace of mind knowing youve done all you can? You can check out Primitive Racing for skidplates, but I dont think any will protect the secondary cat thats out in the open. And theres a new rattle when the engine starts under hard acceleration. Regulating who can buy and sell catalytic converters and then requiring buyers to keep detailed transaction records. We can, however, make it a lot harder. Both are easily available, at least in the US. Is that true? Email: The cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter, Tips for avoiding catalytic converter theft, 1. This cage acts like lock around your catalytic converter, providing a substantial visual deterrent and physically making it very difficult for the casual thief to steal your cat converter. Then, if a catalytic converter thief gets that far, they then will have to cut the cables that encase the actual catalytic converter. Officials said they would seek $545 million in forfeitures of cash, luxury cars and real estate from those arrested in the operation. So, whats the best form of catalytic converter protection? Like the CatClamp above, the cables make cutting off your catalytic converter more difficult. Our opinions are our own. As far as installation, if you know someone who is a car person that likes to tinker, its a 2 hour DIY job tops, especially on your van. Making yours harder than the next one dramatically reduces your chances of being a victim. Its a little like a skid plate youd find on an off-road truck. However, with the e350 you have the advantage of having an actual frame instead of unibody construction like most passenger cars and SUVs. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. They took mine although I caught them in the act, they threatened me with machetes saying they would kill me if I didnt go back in my house and close the door as they were doing it on my drive literally few feet away from my front door. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, 5 Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft. Catalytic converters use high heat to do their job, and Miller has also done thorough testing on their products to insure that your catalytic converter doesnt damage itself due to extra heat buildup. Hate to say it, but with the economy going the way it is, desperation can bring out the worst in people. (There are just over 28grams in 1 ounce. Kinda like a thief who steals fake diamonds- they dont know it until they try and sell em, but theyve still been stolen! Hopefully, once you have ANY device installed, Catalytic Converter theft on your CRV is something you can cross off your worry list! A mildly educated catalytic converter thief would see the sticker, know where to look for the easily accessible alarm and just have a partner put their hand over it or a quick wrap of duct tape to muffle the noise then get to work stealing your cat converter. Park in well-lit areas: Strategy 1: Park in a safe, well lit place with lots of traffic. Unfortunately, no one we know of makes a protector shield of any kind for the Kia Sportage. Also at risk are street-parked vehicles and trucks parked overnight in unattended lots. the reviewers mentioned a few concerns and I have a few too. The secondary, inline catalytic converter under the car is the one to worry about. 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