Target 11: Catalytic converter theft goes out of control in Pittsburgh (Part 2). Here are the common types of catalytic converter anti-theft devices that you might come across: 1. From East Liberty to Seven springs to Hempfield Township, thieves are targeting catalytic converters, those small devices underneath your car that help control emissions. Alright, now if you want to skip over installing a complete alarm system and take the cheap route, the Wsdcam is worth a look. With a properly installed car alarm, anyone close to your car will hear the triggered alarm system. The idea is that the strap will provide an extra layer of protection against a thiefs reciprocating saw since the loose cable inside the strap to cut. It includes a remote control fob so that you can disable it. like when you need to go in for service, oil change. To give you an idea, there was a point in 2021 when rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per The Best Family SUVs You'll Want to Test Drive in 2022. Designed to deter the issue of catalytic converter from your car, An alarm to ensure maximum safety for your trailer when you are not around, Alarm against theft or theft of your bike or motorcycle. The strip steel is as hard as band saw blade material, causing the blade to overheat and dull. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. Why Would Someone Steal My Cars Catalytic Converter? For anyone with a, can help reduce the risk of theft. Prius catalytic converters are worth more, hence the reason why thieves target Prius cars, particularly older models. Rauso showed Earle how the converter was cut off of one car and he said its a costly repair. johnson lumber. 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. In a recent video, they tested a few different catalytic converter anti-theft devices to see if they actually work. The thief leaves without your catalytic converter in hand -, st Go Away". WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. Get the ultimate in catalytic converter protection or free advice from our security experts here. Finally, this system also features remote start and keyless entry capabilities for added convenience. 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. 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. As a result, theyre one of the most common components of a car to be stolen. Weve got you! 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. If youve never seen a catalytic converter, you likely have no idea what it looks like. Copyright 2022 Fast Guard Alarms. In most cases, a shock sensor is enough to get the job done. 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.. In this article, youll discover car alarm systems that work well to help you prevent catalytic converter theft. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, a thief will need to use a jack to access your exhaust. Always keep in mind that any car alarm is a deterrent. 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. Primarily, an alarm is a great deterrent since the high-dB alarm sound will tell thieves to scram. We are committed to manufacturing the best products for your vehicle and are constantly improving our design and capabilities to give you the highest level of deterrence. WebGeico anti theft device categories. A motion sensor will catch thieves who dont need to use a jack. Since the catalytic converter is located beneath your car, the sensor can be programmed to sound the full alarm when someone is beneath your car. WebThree ways to protect against catalytic converter theft 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. As for the dual-zone tag, this allows you to customize the sensor to create two zones around your vehicle. Open cage design allows heat to dissipate normally from the converter. 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. The high-dB alarm sound will alert people nearby that your car has been compromised by an intruder. So, for thieves who dont want to spend time and energy breaking into a vehicle or risk a bank heist, catalytic converters are an easy target to make quick cash. The same wire rope locks the converter to the chassis of the vehicle up to seven times, creating too much work for a thief in a hurry. 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. There are a couple of reasons why people steal catalytic converters. Ever seen those pictures from the 1960s and 1970s of the smog-filled skies of Los Angeles? According to State Farm claims data, catalytic converter theft increased by almost 300% from 2020 to 2021. Extremely Difficult to Cut: Turns a Normal 60sec Theft into a Struggle that Overwhelms Thieves, and Prevents You from Being an Easy Target, Custom-Hardened Band Steel Inside the Catstrap Dulls the Teeth of the Saw Bl, Low-Profile - Requires no space clearance Flexible - Follows any contour, A TOUGH CUTTING BARRIER AND THEFT DETERRENT TO PROTECT YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, Infrared Smart Sensor activates 130 dB Siren to Keep Thieves Out from Under your Vehicle. This process occurs through a chemical reaction with metals such as platinum, which in turn converts harmful gases such as carbon monoxide into less harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, as well as water and nitrogen. 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. Use of CatClamp products is recommended by United States Department of Justice, registered Secured by Design/Sold Secure Gold standard product in the UK. only pays out other drivers injuries and repair bills after an accident you causeit does nothing to protect you or your vehicle. By controlling the whole development process from A-Z, we can ensure continuous improvement and excellence in our products. You can also purchase alarms that are activated if the car is tilted, such as when it's jacked up. All Shields come with free ground shipping to lower 48 states! All gas and diesel-powered vehicle have a catalytic converter, but theyre not all created equal. Store vehicles in a garageSecure lots with fencing and good lightingPost Property Under Surveillance signageMonitor your property with security camerasInclude VIN or license plate numbers on your catalytic converterInstall security devices, such as cat straps or cat clamps Racewill Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Device This waterproof alarm system has an adjustable volume that blasts up to 113 dB. This process is repeated until all cable is consumed, and each of the eight holes in both split clamps is used. WebThe cost to replace and install a new catalytic converter can be as much as $3,000. Also, youll pick up tips on how to prevent theft along with reviews of each alarm. But as we all know now, it is as anyone whos been a victim of catalytic converter theft. If you suspect your vehicle is at risk for catalytic converter theft, here are some ways you can minimize the likelihood of it happening: Nobody wants their catalytic converter stolen, but hopefully this article has shed some additional light on the subject. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. They arrested the individuals in the van that were still sleeping in the van with sawzall blades and everything in the van, said Pasquarelli. on and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. By combining these two devices, you give yourself ultimate protection against theft. Depending on the vehicle, some catalytic converters arent even welded in and are simply attached with bolts, which do not require electric cutting tools for removal. Members save $872/year. The catalytic converters, because rhodium is so and parking in a well-lit area or over a berm to prevent access to the vehicles undercarriage. The WCSO also recommends purchasing a theft prevention device such as an aftermarket shield and CLICK HERE to view and purchase our full line of products. Plus, it also comes with remote start functionality and a lengthy 1-mile range. After our exclusive report on thieves targeting a valet lot for catalytic converters, Target 11 The stolen cats are then melted down to extract and sell the precious metals. The Honda Accord and the Jeep Patriot round out the top three. Here are the common types of catalytic converter anti-theft devices that you might come across: 1. Catalytic converter theft has been rampant over the past couple of years. The Cateye automatically turnson and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. WebAnti-theft device foils catalytic converter theft in south St. Louis County 8,265 views Sep 22, 2021 Josh Sensmeyer is the owner of BGM Automotive in Arnold. Its not foolproof, but any improvement helps. Best Alarms for Catalytic Converter Theft Reviewed. Remains found in New Castle identified as man reported missing in 2013, 3 people dead after 2 separate shootings in McKeesport; scenes not connected, police say, Piloted by North Allegheny grad, SpaceX launches to International Space Station, Man facing charges after police chase on busy Ambridge road, Man found dead in courtyard after shooting in Arlington Heights, Alabama man fatally mauled by pack of dogs, coroner says. 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. Grab Some Swag Today.css-17kabay{display:block;height:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;position:relative;width:1.25rem;}.css-17kabay:after{content:'';height:0.625rem;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:1.25rem;}.loaded .css-17kabay:after{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/autoweek/static/images/diamonds.322aecf.svg);}, Best Portable Jump Starters for 2023, Tested, Best Portable Tire Inflators of 2023, Tested, Essential Items for Your Car's Winter Survival Kit, How to Keep Your Driveway Snow- and Ice-Free, Walmart Drops Prices on Goodyear All-Season Tires, Top OBD-II Scanners to Give Your Car a Checkup, 20 Essentials for Your Next Winter Road Trip, These Portable Tire Inflators Will Lift Your Mood. 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. This device is affordable, reliable, and virtually guaranteed to thwart would-be criminals. They can't take it if they cant get to your converter. Investigators said they suspect that stolen catalytic converts re sold to chop shops or on the black market for approximately $200 each. Catalytic converter shields (often called cat shields) are a physical metal barrier that attaches to the underside of a vehicle, covering a catalytic converter. The beauty of this product is the seriously loud 113 dB alarm. For high-risk vehicles such as the Prius and Element, a car alarm is a must-have car security feature. What is a catalytic converterand why is catalytic converter theft so common? Why would someone steal a catalytic converter? But rising prices for some metals has led to a jump in them being stolen and some unique Because no matter how many precautions you take, theres always the chance of theft occurring. Do mechanics steal catalytic converters? After all, thieves want the least amount of attention possible when stealing a catalytic. This exhaust emission control device contains precious metals, and a crook can earn as much as $250 for a couple of minutes of work with a reciprocating saw. Some shields are made from aluminum, which is a lighter, buta lessdense material. Protect Your Catalytic Converter with One of These Devices, People Also Ask what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device. A few aftermarket companies have developed metal shields that easily bolt to the undercarriage of 2004-up Priusesand even some late-model Tacoma pickups. Most insurance policies don't cover cat theftand because it's a model-specific, EPA-regulated emissions device, catalytic-converter replacement can cost thousands from your dealer. Next, the 1-mile range is one of the longest youll find. Clearly, the need to remove and replace the alarm each time you park could become tedious depending on how often you park. These covers are easy to install too, with no welding required. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. We have also seen alarms that are heat sensitive and activate when a sudden temperature change is detected. If you have a car alarm, turn up its sensitivity so that it goes off if your car is jostled. So, he decided to invent one with two goals in mind: quick to put on and hard to take off. Since they have additional ground clearance over a car, thieves can quickly slide under the vehicle and remove the cat(s) without having to jack up the vehicle for access. The stolen car parts can cost about $1,500 each to replace. The CatClamp has proven itself to be a superior product and sets the benchmark for catalytic converter security. North Carolina 5. 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. Also made of durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum, this shield is ideal for older Priuses with the 1.5L engine. That means it was pretty easy to defeat, but they gave it a pass. All rights reserved. The Cateye is programmed to require5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement"to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). Everybody wants the valuable metals inside of this, said Virgil Richmond, the facilities manager at Michael Brothers Recycling. WebCatalytic Converter Anti-Theft Shield | 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra . When installed together with a Viper system, youll also be able to receive alerts to your remote when the motion sensor detects motion. No, the majority of mechanics do not steal catalytic converters. As we said above, unless you're a Prius owner most cat shields won't work for your vehicle. Our proprietary strip steel is designed for maximum cutting resistance (55 Rockwell-C hardness: 4.5X harder than 304 Stainless Steel). It depends on whether you want to invest in a complete car alarm system or simply use a motion-activated alarm such as the Wsdcam. 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