Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen? Thieves can strip a catalytic converter from a car in less than two minutes, using only a hacksaw or reciprocating saw (i.e., a Sawzall). The reason this theft is so easy and quick is that your car’s catalytic converter is located under the vehicle, and thieves don’t even have to open the hood of your car to steal it. In fact, they can just crawl underneath the vehicle and access it. The cost of catalytic converters can range from $100 up to $2,000 or more depending on the make, model, year and condition of your vehicle.
Thieves are stealing these parts mainly because they contain precious metals such as platinum and palladium which are valuable at scrap metal yards where they are regularly sold. When buying vehicles at salvage auctions in order to part them out many times thieves will also target the catalytic converters because they get more money for them by selling them as scrap metal instead of as new OEM replacement parts which will generate more profit for them in their business model.
What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?
Catalytic converters are a crucial part of your car’s exhaust system. They contain precious metals that help to convert harmful emissions into less harmful emissions. One example is platinum, which can withstand high temperatures and convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. The entire process takes place inside the catalytic converter, which is enclosed in a housing made out of metal alloys or ceramic materials.
The cat, as it’s called colloquially, consists of several parts including an inlet pipe that serves as an air filter for dirty air entering the converter; one or more honeycomb-shaped tubes containing precious metals such as platinum or palladium; an oxidation catalyst that breaks down pollutants into less harmful forms (such as CO2); and a heat shield to protect against excessive heat produced by this chemical reaction
Why Are Thieves Targeting Your Car’s Catalytic Converter?
Catalytic converters are used to reduce the harmful emissions that a car releases into the environment. The main ingredient in catalytic converters is platinum, which is a precious metal. Platinum has risen in price over the last few years because it’s used in many luxury goods such as jewelry, cell phones, computers and more. Catalytic converters have also become targets for thieves because they can be sold at scrap yards for cash.
How Can You Protect Your Car’s Catalytic Converter?
You can do a few things to protect your car’s catalytic converter:
- Install a security system that will alert you if the vehicle is tampered with or broken into.
- Park in well-lit areas, preferably near other cars so that thieves think twice about breaking into yours.
- Park in high-traffic areas (or “hot spots”) where there are lots of people and activity throughout the night. Thieves tend to stay away from these areas because they’re worried they’ll be noticed by law enforcement officers or passersby who might report them to police.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure visitors know not only that parking space is reserved for them but also how long they’re allowed there before someone needs to keep an eye on it again – this prevents another person from stealing their catalytic converter!
The price of platinum and other precious metals has risen, making these parts valuable to thieves
Platinum is a precious metal that is used in catalytic converters to reduce pollution. Its price has risen, making these parts valuable to thieves.
The price of platinum has increased by more than 50 percent since 2010, and it’s expected to continue rising as supplies decrease and demand increases. According to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC), prices will continue rising until 2022 due to increased use in automotive applications, jewelry manufacturing, medical equipment and electronics applications such as cell phones.
Platinum is also used in dental fillings and crowns because of its resistance to corrosion and strength; however, this use accounts for only about 5 percent of total annual demand.*
Conclusion
Catalytic converters are a key part of your car’s emissions system, and they need to be protected. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent theft and keep your vehicle safe. Unfortunately, these devices can also be quite costly to replace. If you have comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim for the value of the converter if it’s stolen from your vehicle (less the deductible).
