How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft In Chicago

Why Catalytic Converters Are Stolen

The main reason that catalytic converters are stolen is because they’re valuable to scrap metal dealers. They contain precious metals, including rhodium, platinum, and palladium. These metals can be sold to scrap yards for $150 to $200 per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it.

All cars made after 1974 are required to have catalytic converters. Some are more appealing to thieves than others. SUVs, for example, are easier to crawl under which makes them an easier target. The higher up your car sits, the greater the chance of theft.

Chicago actually led the nation in catalytic converter theft in 2016. Chicagoans experienced 980 converter thefts between 2008-2016, which was 15 percent more over that time frame than second-ranked Sacramento, California, which had 850.

Symptoms of Catalytic Converter Theft

If you’re a thief, it’s not a complex crime to commit. A catalytic converter can typically be removed in just a few minutes by using a saw or a wrench. Slicing through the piping on both sides of the converter before it’s pulled off is the most common method. And while you might not be able to tell it was stolen just by looking at your car, there will be no mistaking it once you start the engine.

When the catalytic converter has been removed, your vehicle will make a loud roaring sound, getting louder as you push on the gas. Since the exhaust isn’t working properly, the vehicle also drives rougher than usual. You’ll hear a sputtering sound as you change speed.

On a normal vehicle, a catalytic converter is a round canister that connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust. If you look underneath and see a gaping space in the middle of your exhaust, your catalytic converter has been stolen.

How To Prevent Your Catalytic Converter From Being Stolen

Fortunately, there are precautionary steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of having your catalytic converter stolen:

• Park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances, when possible.
• Install a CatClamp® harness around your catalytic converter
• Have a mechanic weld the catalytic converter to your car’s frame, making it harder to steal.
• Park your car inside your garage and keep all garage doors shut and locked.
• Set your car’s alarm to go off when it detects vibration.
• Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter — a scrap dealer might be alerted that it was stolen and this makes it easier to identify the owner.