Catalytic converters can cost more than $2,000 and can be stolen in less than two minutes. When activated, it requires virtually no energy - no worries about draining your battery - even after months of no activity. Installation of the CatClamp may qualify your auto insurance policy for a discount, check with your auto insurance company for details. . Better bring multiple blades, because one won't last! While thieves sometimes unbolt the catalytic converter, reducing damage, theyre more likely just to cut the connecting pipes under your car, Catalytic converters are expensive to replace, and investing in an, is much cheaper than the alternative. However, it was tricky to install, costs $200, and its not very stealthy, which is good. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. My clear favorite is the MillerCat Shield for catalytic converter protection, but your specific needs may be different. What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? While converter theft can happen to anyone, some vehicles are targeted more closely by thieves. And should you run the risk of catalytic converter theft, you can take some preventative measures to avoid the inconvenience and costly replacement. 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". If your catalytic converter has been stolen, youll likely be able to tell as soon as your start your vehicle. Our goal is to give you back your freedom and peace of mind to drive and park your vehicle anywhere you want. The best vehicle anti-theft devices to keep your car safe, A catalytic converter, sometimes called a "cat," is a part of a cars exhaust system. What's more, the Cateye only activates as long as it senses motion under your car, then automatically turns itself off 10 seconds after the movement is no long detected - no worries of an alarm going on all night. In smaller cars, excess material can cause a problem as it has to be safely stored somewhere out of the way of moving parts the cables cant be trimmed to suit. While such a blade can cut through one cable at a time, the same blade is useless when faced with cutting through three parallel aircraft-gradesteel cables sliding back-and-forth on a layer of custom-hardened strip steel. Let's start with a product that's inexpensive and universal. Finally, this system also features remote start and keyless entry capabilities for added convenience. 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. When installed together with a Viper system, youll also be able to receive alerts to your remote when the motion sensor detects motion. For complete catalytic converter theft prevention, its also advisable to invest in the best catalytic converter anti-theft device, such as a shield. I had my catalytic converter stolen right in our driveway about a year ago. They are very sensitive and will go off when the exhaust area gets disturbed, and it gives us tremendous peace of mind now. It's "universal" because it hangs loosely via metal hose clamps to the exhaust under the car, so, theoretically, it should fit nearly any car or truck. The other common targets for converter theft are pickup trucks and SUVs. Thieves hope to make a big payday by melting down the precious metals found in the anti-pollution devices namely, platinum, Thieves are more than aware of the antitheftboss.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Subscribe for news & resources about 2023 security innovations, Top 5 Car Alarms to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft, Best Alarms for Catalytic Converter Theft Reviewed, #2) Compustar CS7900-AS All-in-One 2-Way Remote Start + Alarm Bundle, #3) Prestige APS997Z Two-Way LCD Confirming Remote Start & Alarm, #4) Wsdcam Wireless Anti-Theft Bicycle Motorcycle Alarm, #5) Directed Electronics 508D Install Essentials Dual Zone Motion Sensor. This process is repeated until all cable is consumed, and each of the eight holes in both split clamps is used. He knows too well the lengths criminals will go to for scrap metal and states, "There is nothing worse than a thief.". Only $32.99. Investigators say thieves are targeting converters for the costly precious metals insidelike platinum and rhodium. 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. Here is what they found. So how effective are catalytic converters? With CatSecur, you can now have peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure from theft. At around $300, it was expensive. .css-1aqli77{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:redDark;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#fff;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#000000;font-family:Paralucent,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.75rem;line-height:1;letter-spacing:0.2rem;padding:0.625rem 0.9375rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1aqli77:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:#cb1418;opacity:1;}.css-1aqli77:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}Watching a Catalytic Converter in Action Is Absolutely Mesmerizing. Short answer: It depends. It verifies the threat and only then does it activate the alarm. When installed according to instructions, the thief must successfully cut through the strap not once, but twice, with 4 layers of dissimilar metals. Choose either the Standard Model with a 1-Year Warranty or the Stainless Steel MAXX Model with a Lifetime Warranty. Her first car was a Mazda 3 Sport GT. However, thats as far as an alarm will go. Protect Your Catalytic Converter with One of These Devices, People Also Ask what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device. With catalytic converter thefts becoming more prevalent in recent years, it leaves many drivers concerned they can fall victim to these crimes. A full alarm system gives you greater security, more convenient features, and the all-important alerts to know when someone is trying to infiltrate your exhaust system. For high-risk vehicles such as the Prius and Element, a car alarm is a must-have car security feature. Is one of these worth it for you? Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? There are a couple of reasons why people steal catalytic converters. For one, it contains valuable metals. As weve mentioned, a catalytic converter uses metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium to neutralize toxic gases, and those metals are rare and valuable. Rhodium, for example, sells for thousands of dollars per ounce. Catalytic converter theft has been rampant over the past couple of years. This type of blade is constructed with very small teeth, designed to cut thin pieces of metal and effectively dispose of them. Check out this post! Once installed, youll receive alerts directly to the beautiful OLED display. For everyone else, stick with professional installation to ensure you get what you paid for. Install an antitheft device or metal protective cage around it. I have a Mini Cooper as a rental car for the next week, and theres a whole bunch of stuff in the Bluetooth menu from previous users. 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 Our proprietary strip steel is designed for maximum cutting resistance (55 Rockwell-C hardness: 4.5X harder than 304 Stainless Steel). As a result, the sensor will sound the alarm. In the case of catalytic converter theft, youll always know when someone tampers with your car. According to their scoring model, the Fast Guard alarm was easy to install and only cost $30, which is good. Gives you complete control, disable it if you want, just press the remote fob button to reactivate, Cost effective Solutions Starting at $159.99. CAT-SCR-TUN-2 . Another issue with catalytic converter theft is the cost of replacement for the vehicle owner. Last year? Youll hear an, that sounds more like an airplane than a passenger vehicle.. WebEffective and affordable catalytic converter alarm. No, someone didnt stuff a big block V8 engine under the hood, but rather the catalytic converter has likely been removed from the vehicle due to theft. And it's easy to install. Always keep in mind that any car alarm is a deterrent. And it's easy to install. No fees, ever. Will a car alarm stop catalytic converter theft? A few aftermarket companies have developed metal shields that easily bolt to the undercarriage of 2004-up Priusesand even some late-model Tacoma pickups. 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. For Prius owners, this sensor will surely detect a jack. Its out of control, said Pittsburgh Police Detective Don Pasquarelli, whos been tracking and investigating catalytic converter thefts in Pittsburgh. By controlling the whole development process from A-Z, we can ensure continuous improvement and excellence in our products. In Pittsburgh, just 16 converters were reported stolen in 2020. Trucks and SUVs are also targeted frequently, because the catalytic converters are easier to access. But do they really work? Some users complain of rattling after installing heat shields such as this, but that's nothing some heat-resistant sealant such as Permatex can't fix. Please call us on +(650) 784-32-82 or book an instore consultation. and TrueCar, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact Your Insurance Company Depending on your coverage, your car insurance may cover your catalytic converter replacement. We have also seen alarms that are heat sensitive and activate when a sudden temperature change is detected. How does the catalytic converter alarm work? The most effective catalytic converter security systems are usually custom-made to fit a particular model of vehicle and are much more difficult for thieves to bypass. As the bolts are tightened, the clamps tighten down equally on the exhaust pipe and cable. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Thats the van pulling in, said Rachele Mongiovi, of Mongiovi and Son Plumbing in Kennedy Twp. 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 last product that Donut Media tested was the Cat Strap. The combination of the Catstrap physical barrier and ear-piercing noise of the Cateye alarm drives thieves out before they can cut. While not perfect, they are a significant contributor to better air quality in urban areas. The CatClamp has proven itself to be a superior product and sets the benchmark for catalytic converter security. A long time customer with a large fleet of vehicles approached the company about solving the problem of catalytic converter theft on their fleet. on and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. I want to try it out on my car, but Ive never used one before. WebProtect your Toyota Prius with Cat Shield by MillerCAT -- the most advanced and functional security solution available for theft prevention of catalytic converters. In recent years, thieves have begun targeting catalytic converters since theyre easy to steal. Now, Vehicle Security Innovators, an automotive parts manufacturer in Green Bay, says they have a solution. The user-friendly LCD remote allows you to easily set up your alerts and keep tabs on your vehicle at all times. The CatClamp MAXX claims to form a nearly unbreakable barrier around your cat converter with a 5/16-inch-thick stainless steel cable that fits around 1 3/4- to 3-inch exhaust pipes. Target 11 discovered they are after the precious metals deep inside the converter. 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. How is car insurance determined by insurance companies? The Suitable for any type of transport, has a minimum configuration. The Best Family SUVs You'll Want to Test Drive in 2022. 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. All in all, when shopping for the best car alarm for catalytic converter theft, stick with one of the systems mentioned in this article or with the manufacturers. The final option is a universal motion sensor that can be added to a new or existing car alarm system. The Best Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Thanks to Jerry, Im paying $900 less each year while keeping full coverage for my new car! Martin H. While getting on your hands and knees to check under your car is one way, save yourself the struggle. Please check out a review of catalytic converter security devices here. Depending on your vehicles engine configuration, it may have more than one catalytic converter, such as a V8 engine with a dual-pipe exhaust system. In fact, Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle has made an alarming discovery: Things have gone from bad to worse. More than 270 converters were ripped off of car owners and their cars. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, a thief will need to use a jack to access your exhaust. captured thieves stealing converters from a truck. No, the majority of mechanics do not steal catalytic converters. As a result, this allows unsilenced, raw exhaust gases to escape from the engine. Today, the Wienermobile is based on a Chevrolet W4 truck platform (Isuzu NPR) and is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 (242kW). under the car, on the rear of the firewall, Automatically Activates when engine turns off, Extra loud, multi-pitch 130 dB Sound Barrier, "Sees" between 1-20 feet in all directions, Includes Free US Shipping and Money-Back Guarantee, Additional shipping charges for International Orders, 2022 CatStrap Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention. Clearly, the need to remove and replace the alarm each time you park could become tedious depending on how often you park. 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. WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. It's a crime of convenience. Donut Media put some of these devices to the test! These covers are easy to install too, with no welding required. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. Geico anti theft device categories oklahoma 30 day temporary tag walter mauser cab parts. But if you have, auto insurance policy will likely cover a stolen catalytic converter, , plus the cost to repair any related damage from its removal., Remember that youll have to pay your deductible though, so if you own or lease a vehicle at high risk for catalytic converter theft, you may want to consider reducing your. 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what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device