what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device
The high dB alarm acts as a powerful deterrent to keep thieves away from your exhaust system. If you are not 100% satisfied with our product you may return it for a full refund. , meaning that the catalytic converter theft rate is higher for specific models. Now, Vehicle Security Innovators, an automotive parts manufacturer in Green Bay, says they have a solution. Contact Your Insurance Company Depending on your coverage, your car insurance may cover your catalytic converter replacement. More than 270 converters were ripped off of car owners and their cars. Filing a report will help police track such crimes and might assist with any arrests that might be made. I own a tacoma and mi friend does as well. WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. Install an anti-theft device. WebTodd says typically anti-theft catalytic converter devices take about an hour to install but his device takes 3 minutes. The car with 4 doors still has a lot to offer and more. The CatClamp attaches to the exhaust pipes, not the converter, allowing all size and shape converters to be protected. To give you an idea, there was a point in 2021 when rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per However, there are a number of anti-theft devices in the market designed to keep a cars catalytic safely intact. Multi-Purpose Alarm. 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. But Police here have made some progress cutting into the trade, thanks in part to the prevalence of security cameras. 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. Once the second zone is breached, the sensor will sound the cars alarm. For the best catalytic converter theft protection, the NAPA experts recommend installing the CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock. Toyota Tundra Catalytic Converter Anti Theft Shields. If youre handy with alarm installation, chances are youll be able to install it yourself. With a 3000 ft range, you get over 1/2 mile of coverage, which is sufficient in most circumstances. 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. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, its estimated that catalytic converter theft rates have increased It took the thieves less than 2 minutes to steal it! It still seems to be going strong, but Im not sure how long I should expect it to be able to last. After our exclusive report on thieves targeting a valet lot for catalytic converters, Target 11 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. 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.. Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen? With CatSecur, you can now have peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure from theft. WebThe CatClamp has proven itself to be a superior product and sets the benchmark for catalytic converter security. There are a couple of reasons why people steal catalytic converters. According to their scoring model, the Fast Guard alarm was easy to install and only cost $30, which is good. All Shields come with free ground shipping to lower 48 states! 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. The strip steel is as hard as band saw blade material, causing the blade to overheat and dull. From East Liberty to Seven springs to Hempfield Township, thieves are targeting catalytic converters, those small devices underneath your car that help control emissions. These can be installed on vehicles and may or may not need specialized tools. Outside of work, Andrea plays mom to two amazing (and devious) rescue dogs from Mexico and St. Lucia, and loves spending her time in the gym, outdoors, and traveling to expand her knowledge about other countries and cultures. The alarm is strapped to a part of the exhaust pipe with two metal straps. 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. The best deterrent for this crime is a simple device called a catalytic converter lock. We use our extensive knowledge of converters and in-house manufacturing and design to build the best catalytic converter protection devices. Making yours harder than the next one dramatically reduces your chances of being a victim. The first product they tried was the Fast Guard Catalytic Converter alarm, which was easy to install. When activated, it requires virtually no energy - no worries about draining your battery - even after months of no activity. only pays out other drivers injuries and repair bills after an accident you causeit does nothing to protect you or your vehicle. The CatClamp was developed through a coordinated effort among engineers, metalworking professionals, and large fleet managers. This lock attaches to the vehicles exhaust system and makes it very difficult for thieves to remove the converter. We didnt get any refund back from it, but its still satisfying knowing that the person was caught, said Mongiovi. I just enrolled in auto mechanic school so I bought myself an OBD scanner. All Rights Reserved. Most commonly, an alarm is wired to a motion detection sensor that activates when the exhaust system is jostled or motion is detected. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, there are several anti-theft devices on the market. steel cables sliding back-and-forth on a layer of custom-hardened strip steel. A cars catalytic converter contains precious metalsplatinum, palladium, and rhodiumthat are highly valuable. Is catalytic converter theft on the rise? You can easily find a locking device online that ranges anywhere from around, Some shops may even custom-weld a device specific to your car, but keep in mind that directly attaching your catalytic converter to the vehicles frame can be noisy since the exhaust system is usually suspended from the car., Some experts recommend investing in a high-temperature (1,300 to 2,000 degrees F) automotive exhaust paint in a fluorescent color and spraying the converter. So why are thieves targeting these small metal devices? But it could take a thief to double the time to steal your cars catalytic converter, which is a good thing. He knows too well the lengths criminals will go to for scrap metal and states, "There is nothing worse than a thief.". 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). car insurance policies doit depends on what kind of coverage you have. Why are people stealing catalytic converter? on and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. The CatClamp is the patented original converter lock, and it has proven to be 99.9% effective for over ten years all around the world. So, how can you protect your catalytic converter? The best anti-theft protection for cars, trucks, Toyota Prius, Honda, vans, commercial vehicles. WebTop 5 states for catalytic convert theft 1. The CatClamp was invented by the owner of American Welding Inc., a reputable custom fabrication shop in Toledo, OH. WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. Anti-theft catalytic converter stickers affix to a car window warning that the catalytic converter is fitted with a security device. Car owners, particularly Toyota Prius owners, are facing a new threat. In 2020, there were only 16 converter thefts, and in 2021, that number jumped to 93, but last year, there were a whopping 272 thefts. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thieves are targeting catalytic converters in greater numbers than ever. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Everybody wants the valuable metals inside of this, said Virgil Richmond, the facilities manager at Michael Brothers Recycling. Steel shield catalytic converter anti-theft device Steel Shields are not very expensive, and it is a shield that protects their converter and adds another layer of complexity to the thief. 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. According to CarFax, the top targeted vehicle by thieves is the Ford F Series pick up trucks. The CatClamp has proven itself to be a superior product and sets the benchmark for catalytic converter security. No, the majority of mechanics do not steal catalytic converters. With CatSecur, you can now have peace of mind knowing that your car is safe 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 Alright, now if you want to skip over installing a complete alarm system and take the cheap route, the Wsdcam is worth a look. 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. While it draws attention like a traditional alarm, its additional purpose is to turn the confined space beneath your vehicle into a painful echo-chamber by intensifying the sound levels - forcing the thief out before damage can be done. More than 270 converters were ripped off of car owners and their cars. As of June 2021, approximately 18,000 catalytic converter theft claims had been reported to State Farm, which likely represents only a fraction of the total catalytic converter thefts. 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". When a thief attempts to jack up the car, the alarm will sound off with 113 dB to scare them away. Depending on the target, they dont even need a jack to raise the For one, it contains valuable metals. Although cost-effective the largest problem with anti-theft stickers is they need to be displayed in a very prominent area and even then, catalytic converter thieves working underneath a vehicle may not even look for or notice them. As a result, the sensor will sound the alarm. Which cars are most at risk for catalytic converter theft rings? Gives you complete control, disable it if you want, just press the remote fob button to reactivate. Our engineers have tested every design to ensure the best fitment, minima No custom tools are needed for installation. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. But you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. The Best Family SUVs You'll Want to Test Drive in 2022. With this ability, you essentially have the option to turn your phone into the remote, eliminating the need to carry a separate remote at all times. I know it doesnt really matter to me personally, but I hate clutter! The next product they tried was the Cat Clamp, which consists of a metal clamp at each end of the catalytic thats strung together with a metal cable. How amazing is our 304 Stainless Steel? | Watch WPXI NOW. As with all insurance policies, its important to read the fine print to identify what is and isnt covered by your policy. No wiring work required that can impact your vehicle's electric system. The strip steel is as hard as band saw blade material, causing the blade to overheat and dull. All in all, Viper is the first place to look if you want a reliable car alarm system with all of the bells & whistles. They scored each one on how much added time it would take a thief to steal the catalytic, the ease of installation, the cost, and the stealthiness of the product. Short answer: It depends. For high-risk vehicles such as the Prius and Element, a car alarm is a must-have car security feature. A few aftermarket companies have developed metal shields that easily bolt to the undercarriage of 2004-up Priusesand even some late-model Tacoma pickups. If youve never seen a catalytic converter, you likely have no idea what it looks like. Sadly, the answer is yes. 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. *99% success rate over 8 years and 10,000+ installations. Check out this post! He said the strictly follow state law and only buy from commercial entities. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Lastly, the four bolts are tightened with a standard socket and the included tamper-proof installation tool. 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. While products like the Cat Strap and the Cat Clamp are worthy products for keeping a cars catalytic converter in place, Donut Media concluded that the ultimate product is the cat shield. Get any refund back from it, but Im not sure how long I should expect to... 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Options regarding Ad Choices one, it contains valuable metals a powerful deterrent keep! Easily bolt to the exhaust system is jostled or motion is detected just enrolled in auto school. Filing a report will help police track such crimes and might assist with any arrests that might made. Standard socket and the included tamper-proof installation tool the high dB alarm acts as a deterrent! Detection sensor that activates when the exhaust system and makes it very difficult for thieves remove... With CatSecur, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy policy, and rhodiumthat are highly.... Of car owners and their cars webintroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft that! All insurance policies doit depends on what kind of coverage, your car it take. Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases the remote fob button to.. For catalytic converter and your car is safe and secure from theft safe and secure from theft most.! 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