The CatClamp was invented by the owner of American Welding Inc., a reputable custom fabrication shop in Toledo, OH. Catalytic converters are expensive to replace, and no one wants to deal with thousands of dollars in unexpected costs out of pocket. Thefts of catalytic converters continue to climb at an alarming rate, and the pandemic and its resulting economic issues have made their resale value rise .css-1l6ek1u{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:redDark;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#cb1418;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1l6ek1u:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}even further. The second-gen Sonos Beam and other Sonos speakers are on sale at Best Buy. 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. Every transaction, Richmond said, is documented with a drivers license and a photograph of the converter. We had a customer next door had three stolen, said Damon Rauso, the owner of Lockhart Tire and Battery on Pittsburghs North Side. On a vehicle with a frame, the frame and/or cross members are used as durable attachment points, on a vehicle without a frame (unibody construction) anti-sway bar and/or engine/transmission brackets are utilized as durable attachment points. Jon Langston is an avid motorcyclist and gear collector whose work has appeared in Mens Journal, Cycle World, The Drive, Rider, Iron & Air, Motorcyclist, and more. In this article, well go over what you need to know about catalytic converters and how to protect your investment: Stealing a catalytic converter (or cat) off a vehicles exhaust system may seem like a strange crime, but the precious metalsplatinum, palladium, and rhodiumthat make up the converter are quite valuable. Once the second zone is breached, the sensor will sound the cars alarm. While not specifically designed to prevent catalytic converter theft, it can work as a strong deterrent. Please check out a review of catalytic converter security devices here. There are several security devices to prevent catalytic converter theft with varying effectiveness. Visit a Mechanic. Depending on which alarm you choose, the system utilizes sensors that catch thieves in the act. But experts told Earle there are some things you can do to protect your converter. 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. There are a couple of reasons why people steal catalytic converters. Here is what they found. 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. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. Its out of control, said Pittsburgh Police Detective Don Pasquarelli, whos been tracking and investigating catalytic converter thefts in Pittsburgh. With so many targets and low-hanging fruit available, the last thing a criminal wants to do is spend hours with specialized tools making a racket trying to remove a shield. , making them of higher value to thieves. CAT-SCR-TUN-2 . Why are people stealing catalytic converter? For everyone else, stick with professional installation to ensure you get what you paid for. Just attach leads to the battery. Insurance claims for a stolen catalytic converter in 2020 ranged from $500 to $3,000, 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. Alright, now if you want to skip over installing a complete alarm system and take the cheap route, the Wsdcam is worth a look. Because no matter how many precautions you take, theres always the chance of theft occurring. The CatClamp attaches to the exhaust pipes, not the converter, allowing all size and shape converters to be protected. In the event that someone does trip the shock sensor, youll instantly receive an alert to the remote when youre unable to hear the alarm. Thankfully, in recent years, automakers have caught on to this trend and made converter theft more difficult. The CatClamp was invented to prevent thieves from stealing your catalytic converter. No wiring work required that can impact your vehicle's electric system. 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. 5 Ways to Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your Catalytic Converter. Target 11 discovered they are after the precious metals deep inside the converter. The Honda Accord and the Jeep Patriot round out the top three. In addition, exhaust clamps are used to ensure a tight bond and provide additional attachment strength. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. It activates a 130dB computer-generated multi-pitch siren and then automatically deactivates when they leave. Other highlights include the multi-tone alarm, automatic arming/locking, and remote panic in all modes. Keep in mind that an alarm is only part of an anti-theft system. The CatClamp is by far the best engineered and most versatile converter lock on the market offering multiple layers of security and features that the competition simply cannot offer. These alarms are awesome! 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. However, each vehicle application is different, so catalytic converter location within the exhaust system and quantity can vary. 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. The final option is a universal motion sensor that can be added to a new or existing car alarm system. 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 For one, it contains valuable metals. A long time customer with a large fleet of vehicles approached the company about solving the problem of catalytic converter theft on their fleet. Whether youve been directly affected by catalytic converter theft, you have more than likely seen the aftermath. Thats the van pulling in, said Rachele Mongiovi, of Mongiovi and Son Plumbing in Kennedy Twp. Below, we answer common questions related to using a car alarm to prevent catalytic converter theft and other important topics. 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). Catalytic converters on the underside of vehicles help reduce emissions. The beauty of this product is the seriously loud 113 dB alarm. Use of CatClamp products is recommended by United States Department of Justice, registered Secured by Design/Sold Secure Gold standard product in the UK. What a difference a year makes: A look at used car prices over the last year. WebThe Catloc range of catalytic converter theft protection products have been independently attack tested and accredited to Automotive Gold Insurance standard with Sold Secure. CatClamp keeps the thieves away with its award-winning design & proven durability. In Pittsburgh, just 16 converters were reported stolen in 2020. for theft because theyre low emissions, so their catalytic converters contain. 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. Which Types of Vehicles Are Prone to Catalytic Converter Theft? This required a number of 5 minute attack tests being carried out, using a variety of theft tools and methods. Protect Your Catalytic Converter with One of These Devices, People Also Ask what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device. Have you ever stood outside or sat in your car at a stoplight, only to see a Toyota Prius casually drive by, followed by a deafening roar? 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. The stolen car parts can cost about $1,500 each to replace. De-Arms when engine ON, Re-Arms when engine OFF. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen? The best ones on the market will come with, or have an option to purchase additional security hardware such as tamper-proof screws. The thief leaves without your catalytic converter in hand -, st Go Away". 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. to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). Catalytic converters can cost more than $2,000 and can be stolen in less than two minutes. is a super straightforward process, and at each step, you can see exactly what coverage youre paying for. It's a crime of convenience. 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. The best course of action would be to put your vehicle in a garage, said Detective Pasquarelli. Catalytic converter theft has been rampant over the past couple of years. Does insurance cover stolen catalytic converters? Additionally, a good system will include a 2-way remote that sends you direct alerts anytime someone approaches your vehicle. As a result, this allows unsilenced, raw exhaust gases to escape from the engine. 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. Rauso showed Earle how the converter was cut off of one car and he said its a costly repair. 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. 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. 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. A factory replacement catalytic converter can easily cost $1,500 or more to replace, and thats assuming the thieves didnt cause any other damage to the vehicle during the removal process. And it's easy to install. , as many are located in plain sight. Thieves are now collecting dough on the black market by selling stolen catalytic converters to scrapyards. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this fact, which motivates them to sell stolen catalytic converters to places such as less-than-honorable recyclers. Target 11: Catalytic converter theft goes out of control in Pittsburgh (Part 2). They can't take it if they cant get to your converter. Please call us on +(650) 784-32-82 or book an instore consultation. The combination of the Catstrap physical barrier and ear-piercing noise of the Cateye alarm drives thieves out before they can cut. 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. 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. In this article, youll discover car alarm systems that work well to help you prevent catalytic converter theft. Just set the motion-based alarm with a fob whenever the vehicle is parked, and it shrieks if it gets jostled or moved. As we said above, unless you're a Prius owner most cat shields won't work for your vehicle. Members save $872/year. Ive been driving my Envoy for what feels like forever. Once installed, youll receive alerts directly to the beautiful OLED display. It's your call, but if we had a Prius, we'd definitely give a shield a shot. Webcurrent heating oil prices fairbanks alaska; ultimate mortal kombat trilogy sega genesis rom; amy acker reality sexy pictures; patented mining claims for sale in montana The CatClamp is by far the best engineered and most Only $32.99. The Cateye is an intelligent, SMART controller that senses human motion under your vehicle. We know if they try to steal the converter again they will have a loud surprise! The user-friendly LCD remote allows you to easily set up your alerts and keep tabs on your vehicle at all times. They arrested the individuals in the van that were still sleeping in the van with sawzall blades and everything in the van, said Pasquarelli. 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-grade. The cable is then routed through both split clamps and around or through a durable portion of the vehicle chassis wherever possible and back through both split clamps again. In reality, the Donut Media guys were able to cut through the strap and only added around a minute and 15 seconds to the base time. Dont have a car camor, at best, a camera that catches your driveway? Theres no way that anyone in the vicinity wouldnt hear this alarm once its been triggered. Practical SUVs the entire family will enjoy. Okay, if this device works it might just be *99% success rate over 8 years and 10,000+ installations. 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. 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.. 304 stainless steel and aluminum is also resistant to oxidation for corrosion resistance which is important given a cat shield sits underneath a vehicle and is regularly exposed to road grime, rain, and snow. The Cateye is programmed to require, 5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement". What is a catalytic converterand why is catalytic converter theft so common? See results from a representative cutting test: The CatStrap is encased in a high-temperature strap that runs down the length of your vehicle's exhaust and converter. 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. You can also purchase alarms that are activated if the car is tilted, such as when it's jacked up. The Cateye is programmed to require5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement"to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). The base package includes Vipers Stinger DoubleGuard Shock 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. What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? The folks over at Donut Media arent ones to shy away from testing out products so that you dont have to. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. How is car insurance determined by insurance companies? Minnesota 4. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are commonly used within catalytic converters. The stolen cats are then melted down to extract and sell the precious metals. Examples include placing cats in less accessible locations, like the engine compartment, or integrating them into other engine components such as manifolds. Next, the 1-mile range is one of the longest youll find. We haven't tried it, but we're eager to hear from those who have. Theft of catalytic converters continues to rise. By now youre probably wondering if your catalytic converter is at risk of being stolen. The Best Earle: Were you surprised by the numbers? The best anti-theft protection for cars, trucks, Toyota Prius, Honda, vans, commercial vehicles. However, thats as far as an alarm will go. and TrueCar, Inc. All rights reserved. ). The Cat Strap was also easy to install, and its stealthy. 362 North Westwood AvenueToledo, OH 43607, Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PMEastern Standard Time, Products Patent number 7,971,676, other patents pending only, The Best Security System Available for Theft Prevention of Catalytic Converters & Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF). Viper is one of the leaders in the car alarm space, and the Responder HD is one of Vipers , One of the biggest brand names in the world of catalytic converter anti-theft devices is CatClamp, which provides you with great features and high-quality security to your vehicles catalytic converter. If you are not 100% satisfied with our product you may return it for a full refund. johnson lumber. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. And just last month, police in North Huntingdon Township using surveillance images tracked down three men from Chicago they suspect stole $200,000 worth of converters from auto dealerships in western Pennsylvania. on and off when engine turns off and on by sensing voltage at your battery. 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. Do I need an existing alarm system to protect my catalytic converter? With a properly installed car alarm, anyone close to your car will hear the triggered alarm system. 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 When installed according to instructions, the thief must successfully cut through the strap not once, but twice, with 4 layers of dissimilar metals. But it could take a thief to double the time to steal your cars catalytic converter, which is a good thing. Lets look at what a catalytic converter is, why theyre prone to theft, which cars are popular targets, and how you can prevent yours from being stolen. If your catalytic converter has been stolen, youll likely be able to tell as soon as your start your vehicle. Once dulled, the blade becomes useless, requiring multiple blades and large amounts of time. However, its not cheap and costs around $200. 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. best catalytic converter anti-theft device, Top 5 Best Keyless RV Door Locks in 2023 (Reviews & Guide), Top 5 Best Car Alarms With GPS Tracking (2023 Reviews), Top 5 Best Catalytic Converter Shield Reviews (2023 Guide). Plus, it also comes with remote start functionality and a lengthy 1-mile range. For added assurance, Compustar provides a 1-year warranty on its remote. So with that in mind, its time to take a closer look at each of the alarm systems in the reviews below. So how effective are catalytic converters? 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