What Happens When the Starter Solenoid Goes Bad? This is for two reasons. Officers in Tameside say there's been an increase in … It’s this catalyst effect that transforms pollutants from the car’s engine into harmless carbon dioxide and water. But converter theft seems to happen far more often in major cities than in rural areas. While you may not always be able to prevent catalytic converter theft, you can protect your wallet through your insurance policy. Recently the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) circulated a notice saying over the past few weeks Santa Monica and other surrounding communities are experiencing a spike in catalytic converter theft. Park close to building entrances or the nearest road in public parking lots. Muffler Tech now carries the latest in catalytic converter protection and asks that fleet owners or individuals with these Nissan NV200 vehicles take a stand against theft and get protected now. The numbers aren't as dramatic as those for some other crimes, but they're worth noting in a year when a lot of vehicles are spending their time parked. Warrington - the 14th-worst area overall - saw a huge increase in catalytic converter thefts between 2018/19, when it had just one reported case, and 2019/20, when there were 28 incidents. And because the exhaust is exposed beneath most cars, they’re often easy pickings for thieves. Police have warned catalytic converter thieves are on the prowl again - and they're targeting Toyotas and Hondas. Criminals are well-aware that the Toyota Prius is more likely to have a converter that’s still in good condition. “They must have had a cordless saw and they were probably gone in two minutes,” Day said. It costs you up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one. On a repair lot in Milwaukee, one shop owner with repeat thefts over the past few months has resorted to deflating tires to make it tougher for the thief to crawl underneath his vehicles. Thefts of catalytic converters from the underside of cars in 2019 rose to 13,000 reported cases in England and Wales - up from 2,000 the year previous, according to a new investigation. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. In fact, Rhodium—one of the key elements found inside catalytic converters—is currently worth approximately ten times more than gold. What Happens When Rack and Pinion Goes Out? Last year, there were almost 13,000 recorded thefts of the devices, with Londoners particularly badly hit. Fortunately, the searches also came up with an anti-theft device called the CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock. To reduce the risk of theft of your car's catalytic converter: Garage your car whenever possible; Park in well-lit busy areas; Look out for people working under cars; If the car's high risk consider marking the metal shell of the converter with a unique mark, so that if it is removed by thieves it will be easier to trace back to your vehicle "As a result, the data obtained by insurers tends to be underreported.". Fit a device that is designed to stop catalytic converter theft – known as a cat lock or ‘cage clamp’. Older cars use more precious metals and their catalytic converters are often easier to get to. I went on Nextdoor and found someone up the street had been hit as well that same night.”. The cars catalytic converter thieves target the most include: The Toyota Prius is the most recognizable hybrid on the road—and that’s why it’s one of the vehicles catalytic converter thieves target the most. The most popular cars for cat theft are older petrol-electric hybrid models. The stolen equipment isn't resold, but instead sold for scraps. The minivan owner will have to rely on insurance to replace the damaged converter, or shell out a lot of money. Theft. In Toyota’s case it is second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018) which have been particular targets for thieves. Park high-riding vehicles (i.e., trucks and SUVs) near low-profile cars. Exact thefts are unknown. Chevrolet Faces Oversupply of Equinox in the US, Toyota Dethrones Volkswagen Group as World’s Best-Selling Automaker, Toyota Corolla Reliability and Common Problems, 2021 Ford Bronco Leases Cheaper for Four-Door Variant, 2022 Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder Star in Teasers Ahead of Debut. Then you may want to consider taking a few preventative measures, such as: Parking in well-lit areas or the garage when possible. Owners with comprehensive coverage may also decline to report a catalytic-converter theft, said Lehman, if the total repair cost is roughly equal to their deductible (and to avoid a likely increase in the policy premium). Officers in Tameside say there's been an increase in thefts … Older cars use more precious metals and their catalytic converters are often easier to get to. Reader's Toyota Prius was targetted by thieves who stole the car's exhaust system. According to Forest Park Police Chief Tom Aftanas, there has definitely been an increase lately in the illegal removal and theft of catalytic converters, which act as exhaust emission control devices on cars. Thieves in Topeka have targeted vehicles that transport senior citizens, according to WIBW-13, leading to nearly $20,000 in damages. Start with total boredom and staggering unemployment, mix in tempting metal prices, and top off with slack law enforcement. The answer to why crooks steal catalytic converters is simple—cats are worth a lot of money. Although nowhere near the price levels of a decade ago, it crested $1000 in December, as it did in January 2020, when the metal hit a two-year high. Protecting your car from catalytic converter theft. Dangerous exhaust gases from the engine enter the catalytic converter, where they are turned into harmless water and carbon dioxide. Metropolitan Police statistics show 8,248 cat converters were stolen in the capital last year, a 455 per cent rise on the 1,484 stolen in 2018, which was up from just 174 in 2017. How to prevent catalytic converter theft. All catalytic converters contain valuable, precious metals that thieves want to get their hands on. Thefts of catalytic converter have become so popular in recent months because of their value and how easy they are to steal plus their lack of identification. Although no vehicle is safe from catalytic converter theft, some are targeted more than others. The shop has been working to stop catalytic converter thefts, but late Wednesday night the car parts were stolen off two cars in the shop parking lot. An uptick in catalytic converter thefts has a lot of street parkers concerned. Since the beginning of the pandemic, police departments across the country have been reporting a rise in catalytic converter theft. Megan Geuss - Sep 13, 2016 12:42 pm UTC Honda told us: "Versions of Honda cars from 2008 onwards have been designed to house the catalytic converter where it cannot be reached by thieves with later versions having the catalytic converter bolted direct to the engine inside the engine bay. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. This has given manufacturers time to develop ways of keeping cats safe. Catalytic converters contain precious metals. Of course, you’ll want to keep in mind that the cost of the coverage and the deductible could add up to be more than that of a replacement cat. In Wichita, Kansas, thieves stole "more than 500" catalytic converters in 2020 as compared to "fewer than 200" in 2019, according to KAKE ABC. The city of Louisville is experiencing an increase in catalytic converter thefts. A catalytic converter makes up part of the exhaust system; it processes the emissions from a combustion engine into less harmful gases. Owners of older vehicles tend to decline coverage for comprehensive damage, which would cover such a theft, because those insurance policies may be more expensive than their cars. Warrington - the 14th-worst area overall - saw a huge increase in catalytic converter thefts between 2018/19, when it had just one reported case, and 2019/20, when there were 28 incidents. 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