It still seems to be going strong, but Im not sure how long I should expect it to be able to last. Photo by Chris Welch / People Also Searches what is the best catalytic converter anti theft device, 3 Ways To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Video Answer, catalytic converter anti theft device tacoma, catalytic converter theft deterrent system, how to protect catalytic converter from theft, What does a catalytic converter do on a car, What is the function of catalytic converter, Would you know if your catalytic converter is bad, Would there be a problem removing catalytic converter, Would the fuel injectors cause the catalytic converter to fail, Would the catalytic converter make 2002 buick regal hesitates, Would replacing my catalytic converter also fix my faulty transmission. We didnt get any refund back from it, but its still satisfying knowing that the person was caught, said Mongiovi. Today, the Wienermobile is based on a Chevrolet W4 truck platform (Isuzu NPR) and is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 (242kW). Clearly, the need to remove and replace the alarm each time you park could become tedious depending on how often you park. What To Do When Your Catalytic Converter Is StolenContact the Authorities If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. Adding bright paint can create a, for thieves because auto shops and salvage or scrap metal yards arent supposed to buy them., The easiest way to deter thieves from taking your catalytic converter is to prevent access to your vehicle. Can it happen here. Once dulled, the blade becomes useless, requiring multiple blades and large amounts of time. 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. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. They can't take it if they cant get to your converter. In recent years, catalytic converter theft has taken the country by storm. By combining these two devices, you give yourself ultimate protection against theft. 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. The Cateye is programmed to require5-15 seconds of "sustained, purposeful movement"to avoid false alarms (e.g., small animals and random debris). By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Dont have a car camor, at best, a camera that catches your driveway? 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. Afterward, they came up with a scoring rubric to grade each anti-theft methods overall effectiveness. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, a thief will need to use a jack to access your exhaust. This process is repeated until all cable is consumed, and each of the eight holes in both split clamps is used. The CatClamp was invented by the owner of American Welding Inc., a reputable custom fabrication shop in Toledo, OH. Designed to deter the issue of catalytic converter from your car. With a high dB alarm and alerts, you give yourself a much greater chance of protecting your investment. Weve got you! We know if they try to steal the converter again they will have a loud surprise! What is a 2007 GMC Envoys life expectancy? When installed according to instructions, the thief must successfully cut through the strap not once, but twice, with 4 layers of dissimilar metals. 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. For Prius owners and other heavily-targeted vehicle owners, always check to make sure that your insurance policy covers catalytic converter theft. The CatClamp attaches to the exhaust pipes, not the converter, allowing all size and shape converters to be protected. The best deterrent for this crime is a simple device called a catalytic converter lock. The most effective solution to catalytic converter theft. Thieves hope to make a big payday by melting down the precious metals found in the anti-pollution devices namely, platinum, Our goal is to give you back your freedom and peace of mind to drive and park your vehicle anywhere you want. Our high-tech vibration sensor ensures that your catalytic converter is protected at all times. 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. Some shields are made from aluminum, which is a lighter, buta lessdense material. Its not foolproof, but any improvement helps. Rauso showed Earle how the converter was cut off of one car and he said its a costly repair. The included remote features an LCD with clear updates and notifications. WebIntroducing CatSecur - the ultimate anti-theft device that protects your catalytic converter and your car. Installation of the CatClamp may qualify your auto insurance policy for a discount, check with your auto insurance company for details. WebTodd says typically anti-theft catalytic converter devices take about an hour to install but his device takes 3 minutes. They are best used in conjunction with other catalytic converter security products to provide a visual deterrent to would-be thieves. 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). With CatSecur, you can now have peace of mind knowing that your car is safe and secure from theft. Lastly, this Prestige system does come backed by a limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. Where is the 2019 Honda Civic OBD port location? 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. 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. 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. Here is what they found. To cut through the confusion and help you decide which security device is right for your vehicle, weve reviewed the most common types. And it's easy to install. To give you an idea, there was a point in 2021 when rhodium was worth a hair under $30,000 per One cool feature that smart device fans will enjoy is the ability to use app control via your smartphone. WebCatalytic Converter Anti-Theft Shield | 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra . Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the authors opinions and recommendations alone. The blade can't grip the steel cables properly because they create a moving target. The folks over at Donut Media arent ones to shy away from testing out products so that you dont have to. This device is affordable, reliable, and virtually guaranteed to thwart would-be criminals. There are many anti-theft devices for catalytic converters on the market. In fact, Pittsburgh Police met with law enforcement agencies across the area to compare notes in a coordinated effort to track down the thieves. 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. If youve never seen a catalytic converter, you likely have no idea what it looks like. Landing at third on our list is another affordable car alarm for catalytic converter theft. The thief is equipped with a steel cutting blade designed to cut thin wall metal like exhaust pipe tubing. Making yours harder than the next one dramatically reduces your chances of being a victim. 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. Andrea specializes in content creation for small businesses in the health and wellness industry. Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. With a properly installed car alarm, anyone close to your car will hear the triggered alarm system. Since their widespread adoption in the 1970s, catalytic converters are emissions devices used on gasoline engines to convert toxic exhaust pollutants into less harmful emissions. Copyright 2022 Fast Guard Alarms. Lastly, the four bolts are tightened with a standard socket and the included tamper-proof installation tool. The Cat Strap was also easy to install, and its stealthy. Now that youve examined the most commonly used security devices against catalytic converter theft, choosing which one is right for your vehicle comes down to the level of protection you need, and your budget. The best catalytic converter security system for your vehicle Rust resistant Can be fitted with optional extras like tamper-proof screws for even greater security The strip steel is as hard as band saw blade material, causing the blade to overheat and dull. Ive been driving my Envoy for what feels like forever. Examples include placing cats in less accessible locations, like the engine compartment, or integrating them into other engine components such as manifolds. If youre not a fan of Viper alarm systems, then a worthy alternative is Compustar. I own a tacoma and mi friend does as well. He said the strictly follow state law and only buy from commercial entities. Naturally, looking into whether your insurance policy covers catalytic converters makes sense.. The car with 4 doors still has a lot to offer and more. Built from heavy-duty metal wire, the cage of your CatClamp is unbreakable by design. How to tell if catalytic converter is stolen? Use of CatClamp products is recommended by United States Department of Justice, registered Secured by Design/Sold Secure Gold standard product in the UK. Primarily, an alarm is a great deterrent since the high-dB alarm sound will tell thieves to scram. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, its estimated that catalytic converter theft rates have increased From East Liberty to Seven springs to Hempfield Township, thieves are targeting catalytic converters, those small devices underneath your car that help control emissions. 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. The CatClamp was developed through a coordinated effort among engineers, metalworking professionals, and large fleet managers. he Physical Barrier, The Cateye works by using a specialized motion sensor that detects motion under your car. Also made of durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum, this shield is ideal for older Priuses with the 1.5L engine. 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.. No fees, ever. Youll hear an, that sounds more like an airplane than a passenger vehicle.. Since most car alarms include shock sensors, these sensors will detect the use of a jack. Anti-theft catalytic converter stickers affix to a car window warning that the catalytic converter is fitted with a security device. The alarm is strapped to a part of the exhaust pipe with two metal straps. Once installed, youll receive alerts directly to the beautiful OLED display. Better bring multiple blades, because one won't last! The next product they tried was the Cat Clamp, which consists of a metal clamp at each end of the catalytic thats strung together with a metal cable. While not perfect, they are a significant contributor to better air quality in urban areas. Also, youll pick up tips on how to prevent theft along with reviews of each alarm. More than 270 converters were ripped off of car owners and their cars. IMPORTANT For high-riding vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorhomes. If you're a Toyota Prius driver, you're in luck. However, each vehicle application is different, so catalytic converter location within the exhaust system and quantity can vary. As a result, the sensor will sound the alarm. I had my catalytic converter stolen right in our driveway about a year ago. 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 CatClamp is the patented original converter lock, and it has proven to be 99.9% effective for over ten years all around the world. And should you run the risk of catalytic converter theft, you can take some preventative measures to avoid the inconvenience and costly replacement. 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 We use our extensive knowledge of converters and in-house manufacturing and design to build the best catalytic converter protection devices. Steel shield catalytic converter anti-theft device Steel Shields are not very expensive, and it is a shield that protects their converter and adds another layer of complexity to the thief. Viper is one of the leaders in the car alarm space, and the Responder HD is one of Vipers most advanced car alarm systems. However, there are a number of anti-theft devices in the market designed to keep a cars catalytic safely intact. Most commonly, an alarm is wired to a motion detection sensor that activates when the exhaust system is jostled or motion is detected. 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