Are You Safe from Catalytic Converter Theft? by Beachside Auto in Hermosa Beach

It’s happening all over America. Thieves are climbing under cars and in less than five minutes, they are using basic tools like wrenches and electric saws to remove the catalytic converter from your car’s exhaust system. Later when you  return to your car and start it up, you know something is wrong  because you hear a terrible revving noise that sounds like your car is more ready for a car race track than to take you around town to run errands. Catalytic converter theft is currently a major problem all over the country.

Research shows that the Toyota Prius is the most at risk for catalytic converter theft, but it can happen to almost any vehicle. It is estimated that over 25 thousand vehicles in America have had their catalytic converters stolen over the past decade, so these numbers prove that this problem is one that should be on your radar.

This kind of theft can cost you not only time for repairs but big bucks too, anywhere in the $1000 to $3000 range. You may be wondering by now, what exactly is a catalytic converter? The catalytic converter’s job is essential in reducing the pollution that your car emits when running. While it’s true you can physically drive your car without one, it is illegal (and loud!) to do so.

Why are catalytic converters such a hot commodity? If you think catalytic converters are being stolen because they are being reused and replaced in other vehicles, think again. The materials in catalytic converters are precious metals, including palladium, rhodium, and even platinum. Some of these metals are worth more than gold. A stolen catalytic converter is scrapped for the price of the materials, not to make another car on the road safer from pollutants. It’s almost like having a gold nugget welded to the bottom of your vehicle, and anyone prone to thievery knows it is there.

Even though the situation sounds dire, there are ways you can keep your car safer just by being aware. The first thing is to know where to safely park. Pay attention to the area around you. Parking under street lights, in a locked garage, in a public place, or near security cameras are all good ways to lessen the risk of catalytic converter theft. You can also check your insurance policy about such a theft and make sure it’s included if it doesn’t specify. There are some “cages” and plates that can be purchased and applied by most mechanics to cover your catalytic converter, and catalytic converter “locks” too.

Remember, getting in and out from under a car fast with the goods is the goal of these thieves, so anything you can do to hinder that motion should help. Another suggestion is if you have your car in your driveway, put a car cover over it and put wood planks, weighted cones, or another deterrent around the base of the cloth cover to hold it down. While of course a thief could still easily get underneath your car even if it’s covered, the deterrent of the extra time it would take to move the obstacles is likely enough to make your vehicle an undesirable target.

If taking these precautions doesn’t help and you do find yourself in the situation where your car’s catalytic converter has been stolen, the first thing to do is contact your local police department on the non-emergency phone line. The second thing to do is contact your insurance company. It is also a good idea to let your neighbors know of the theft if you are in a local online group like NextDoor, or involved in a neighborhood watch group, an HOA, etc. Thieves know where residents keep watch, so local diligence is always the first line of defense.

While catalytic converter theft is on the rise, we are sharing this information because Beachside Auto in Hermosa Beach hopes that knowing more about this potential threat will give you the opportunity to do your best to prevent this unfortunate situation from happening to you. At Beachside Auto, we care what happens to your car, and more importantly, we care about you, the members of our community, and we want to help keep you safe from unwanted events such as having your catalytic converter stolen from your vehicle.