Catalytic converter is an important component in most cars that converts dangerous gases produced by the vehicle into non-toxic gases.
A catalytic converter is installed in automobiles manufactured after 1993 that run on petroleum. Petroleum is the liquid mixture that produces gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil. The majority of autos nowadays run on gasoline
Catalytic converters were fitted beneath the hood of a car, near the engine. This is because a catalytic converter needs an 800-degree temperature to convert harmful gases to inert gases, and the heat released by a running automotive engine would heat up the catalytic converter more quickly. However, this caused a number of automotive problems, including vapour lock.
The second option was to leave catalytic converters under the hood, but move them further away from the engine, Which still caused problems. Catalytic converters are now kept beneath the automobile to absorb heat generated by the vehicle without generating too many problems.
What drives individuals to steal catalytic converters?
There are two simple explanations for this. To begin, stealing a catalytic converter is a very simple process that requires only a brazen disregard for the law and other people’s property, a jack, an angle grinder, and a few seconds of your time.
Most catalytic converters on current vehicles are positioned beneath the vehicle, near the exhaust, making them easily accessible to thieves. Lifting the back of a car and removing the entire unit takes very little time.
Due to their higher ground clearance, SUVs are more susceptible. This implies that the catalytic converter is easier to access, because they have larger engines, these catalytic converters have more valuable metals.
Preventing catalytic converter theft
In general, older cars are targeted because advances in efficiency and technology mean that the latest generations of Toyota catalytic converters contain far fewer precious metals while still performing just as well or better – this means their value for recycling is very low and they are not appealing to thieves.
It’s a major issue while manufacturers are working on it, and it will take some time for it to percolate down to the automobiles you’re buying. There is still plenty you can do to avoid being a victim, so keep reading for our top 10 recommendations to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen.
How to avoid Theft?
To take the pieces, criminals must crawl beneath the car and use cutting tools to separate the box from the pipes that surround it. This implies that where you park your automobile is important. Parking near walls or fences might be beneficial, but keep in mind not to obstruct pedestrian access, especially for wheelchair users.
Some garages may carve a unique serial number onto your catalytic converter to help you identify it if it is stolen. You’ll also receive a window sticker indicating that your catalytic converter has been tagged, preventing criminals from targeting your car.
If your catalytic converter is fastened to your vehicle using bolts, you might request that the fasteners be welded to make it more challenging to remove.