Your stolen catalytic converter could steal your happiness, with a setback of even thousands of dollars. The roar of your exhaust could be the most expensive one you might have ever heard.
Also, there are fines worth thousands just because of a missing component. So it’s no secret that catalytic converter theft has increased lately.
And we’re about to explain the five sure-fire signs to determine if your catalytic converter is stolen.
5 Signs of Stolen Catalytic Converter
As you know, a catalytic converter is essential to your exhaust system. It converts toxic gasses into less harmful elements.
The process is carried out with the help of precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Stealing catalytic converters could fetch hundreds of dollars per converter from the scrap market.
Unfortunately, the thief leaves the car with a disabled emission system.
Here’s how you could identify if your catalytic converter is stolen from your car.
Loud Exhaust Noise
While driving without a catalytic converter, you’d first notice the offensive roars it produces. Pay attention to the loud exhaust noises.
The rapid increase in your car’s exhaust volume should intrigue you. And that’s where you should know that something is going wrong down the car.
Check Engine Light
The Check Engine Light on your car’s computer could indicate that your catalytic converter is stolen. There are several sensors around your engine to detect any change that might affect the engine’s performance.
These sensors are monitored by an engine control unit, commonly known as ECM. It is responsible for the assurance of the optimal engine performance of your car.
During a full drive cycle, ECM checks for any change that might affect the engine. Any change in the exhaust fumes leads the ECM to alter the fuel amount in the mixture to fix it.
The indicating light turns on if there are problems with the catalytic converter or if there is no converter.
The only way to turn the indicator off is to manually reset it or install a new converter. Otherwise, ECM detects the same problem and turns the light on again.
Poor Low-End Torque
Remember driving your car with a much-relaxed experience while your catalytic converter was in place.
Unfortunately, if your cat is stolen, it will leave your car’s engine with reduced low-end torque.
Suppose you drive a modern car manufactured in the last decade.
In that case, a stolen catalytic converter leaves you behind with a reduced torque available at a lower RPM. The low-end torque is much more important than high-end torque for regular drives, as we mostly drive at lower speeds on busy streets.
However, this might bring little to no difference to a regular driver.
Missing Component: Visual Inspection
The broken or empty space underneath your vehicle can be a surefire indication of a stolen catalytic converter.
You may lay down your car and check if your converter is there or has been stolen.
Visual inspection underneath your car could be the best way to find out the theft.
The exhaust manifold and y-pipe are the most suspectable areas to check for a stolen catalytic converter.
Headache While Your Windows are Down
A faulty or stolen converter is more likely to be the reason for death and gas poisoning. But unfortunately, the increase in the number of deaths and illnesses due to poisoning occurs when you’re stuck in a vehicle filled with deadly gasses.
The introduction of a catalytic converter has reduced the production of harmful gases by up to 95%. However, driving without it exposes 20 times more carbon monoxide than usual.
As you know that the emission takes place underneath your vehicle where the converter once was. Apparently, it can easily set foot through the openings in your vehicle’s body.
Fumes entering the cabin, especially when the windows are rolled down, exhibit the symptoms of poisoning, such as headache.
As a reaction, this exposure could even lead to a state of extreme confusion. Eventually, increasing the chances of getting into an accident.
You’ll be surprised to know that the symptoms are not limited and even not always noticeable. Sometimes there are no symptoms until it’s too late.
What to Do if You Realize That Your Cat Con is Stolen
As you might imagine, how demeaning it could be to leave behind a stolen catalytic converter. Here is how you could minimize the loss & take smart steps.
You should immediately report the authorities about the theft to get it traced. Immediate action against it is much crucial to recover the converter.
Be sure to provide any evidence or surveillance footage so they can easily trace the thief and get back your catalytic converter.
Additionally, your obligation is to submit a claim to your insurance provider. Insurance coverage almost always covers the expense of repairing or replacing a stolen catalytic converter.
If your insurance covers stolen catalytic converters, you’ll have to spend your deductible, and the insurance provider will cover the rest of the repair expenses.
Does Insurance Cover Catalytic Converter Theft?
In case of any mishap, the best and foremost important thing is to contact your insurance agent.
Choosing the best car insurance plan for you is as important as selecting the car itself.
The insurance company would inspect your vehicle for the loss and could also ask for supporting evidence. A police report is a must to claim coverage.
Unfortunately, those without complete or comprehensive coverage don’t comply with any insurance claim related to theft or damage.
To find out what is included in your car insurance coverage, ring your insurance provider and get the details.
Which Cars Are the Targets of Catalytic Converter Theft?
As you already know, the main reason for catalytic converter theft is the precious metals used in its manufacturing.
The more costly metal is, the higher the chances of it being stolen. For example, out of the most low-emission vehicles, Toyota Prius tops the list for catalytic converter thefts.
It uses a good quantity of valuable metals in its converters. So a paycheck of $1400 could be fetched from a single or two catalytic converters in the scrap yard.
Unluckily, the owner ends up paying bills worth thousands of dollars.
And this is not it. Trucks and SUVs are also at high risk of catalytic converter theft.
Their high ground clearance makes it more desirable for the thieves to climb under the car and dig into the metal. However, all the other vehicles on the road are not less disposed of the catalytic converter thieves.
Methods to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
“Precaution is better than cure,” no doubt about it, and below are the preventative measures to avoid such consequences.
Installation of Protective Devices
I’m sure you’ll agree that you could spend a few hundred bucks on an anti-theft device. This investment of a few hundred bucks could save you thousands of dollars.
You can avoid the expense of catalytic converter replacement by installing a protective device into your vehicle.
Vibration Activated Alarm
You’ll be glad to know that newer vehicles have a security setting to trigger the alarm on any vibration it senses. So the process of sawing through the catalytic converter could be enough to set the alarm immediately.
Etch your Identity on Your Catalytic Converter
Engrave your license number or any identity onto your catalytic converter. It’ll help the buyer to identify that it was stolen, and it could be easier to find the actual owner.
Cautious Parking
Less secure parking lots are at a higher risk of catalytic converter theft. This is because the thieves could easily dig into the catalytic converter without letting anyone know about it.
Besides parking your vehicle in your own garage, these are a few other parking tips that could save you thousands of dollars:
• Avoid dark & shady areas and park your vehicle in well-lighted areas with proper street lights to restrain theft.
• Populated locations: Park your vehicle at a place with good foot traffic, as it gets harder to dig into the converter unnoticeably.
• Security camera: Try to find a spot visible to the cameras and park your vehicle safely.
Signs of Stolen Catalytic Converter FAQs
Why do people steal catalytic converters?
A catalytic converter is more likely to be stolen due to the high demand and good resell price of the precious metals. Another reason is the convenience of cutting it off your vehicle or the inability to track the converter.
What happens if you drive without a cat con?
Catalytic converter acts as a shield against harmful emissions. Driving without a catalytic converter directly exposes poisonous gases in the air. Also, the consequences of driving without it are that loud exhaust noises, reduced fuel economy, check engine indicators, or the failure of emission tests.
Does it take a long to steal a catalytic converter?
It’s a piece of cake for an experienced thief. It could be easily fetched within a matter of 30 to 60 seconds.
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