The practical world we live in has both good and bad sides. Crimes on the road targeted strangers for the robbery of valuable goods like gold, diamonds, cars are very common at the global level. Do you know? In 2019 alone, approximately 300, 000 robberies were reported. However, in 2022, the reports on Catalytic Converter Theft have increased drastically. (energycouncil.com) When you think about the robbery, you must think the robbers have their hands on valuable goods that are quickly approachable. But, in the case of Catalytic Converter Theft, it appears as robbers go through a lot of trouble to dismember a car and steal a piece of internal car equipment called “The converter.”
According to studies, each month, over 108 car owners become victims of Catalytic Converter Theft. Hence, 2022 appears like a high time to do something about it. Over 60% of car owners in the world are still unaware of the subject that assists in increasing the potential of Theft in the future. What to do?
Today, we bring you a concise guide on everything you need to know about Catalytic converters Theft. Our researchers have thoroughly studied real-time Catalytic Converter Theft case studies, which allows us to figure out ways to protect car owners from these tragic schemes that can happen anytime and anywhere. Whether you are parking your car in a safe and secure valet or just around the street, outside your house, there is a chance that you will wake up with a Catalytic Converter in your car stolen.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin to learn about the up and running Catalytic Converter Theft schemes and everything you need to know.
What is a Catalytic Converter?
To begin with, not every car owner in the world knows the anatomy of cars. To the reader’s surprise, over 70% of car owners only know the most common internal components of the car like engine, gas tank, transmission, and battery. But, do you know? Another most crucial internal car component is the Catalytic converter. What is it? Let’s find out.
A car’s anatomy is complicated. First of all, it runs on a flammable liquid called Gasoline. Without going much into mechanical details, when a runner runs, its internal spark-ignited engine begins to craft toxic material such as pollutants and toxic gasses. Now, if these glasses are also flammable, there is a high chance that your engine will catch on fire. But, what protects the car from such accidents? Your guess is right; the Catalytic converter acts as a “converting equipment” for pollutants and toxic gasses created by the engine while it is running.
Further ahead, a Catalytic Converter contains an oval chamber-type hollow surface when collecting these toxic gasses and pollutants and then converting them into inflammable gas such as hydrogen or steam.
A Catalytic Converter is positioned mechanically between an engine emission and a tailpipe emission through pipes. Meaning one end connects the Catalytic Converter to the engine using a pipe. The other pipe is on the outside. So, whenever a Catalytic Converter releases gas compounds in the form of air, the tailpipe helps!
It is how Catalytic Converter works!
What is Catalytic Converter Theft?
In the previous few months or years, you must have come across stories of Catalytic Converter Theft in your local newspaper. It does not sound like a big deal because how much would a Catalytic Converter be worth? Shockingly enough, an old Catalytic Converter can be worth anywhere between $300 and $1500, depending on the brand details, condition, working specs, and so on. Apart from this, the Catalytic Converter is made of rhodium material worth more than 15K in the USA. And, without a doubt, money laundering is one of the reasons for improvising statistics on Catalytic converters Theft in the USA, UK, and other countries as well.
But, the main question stands,
Why are Catalytic converters so expensive?
To begin with, the answer to this question is a bit tricky. Yes! When you purchase a car, you pay thousands of dollars, even if it is an average car. But, have you ever thought about what that money is for? Well! You pay thousands of dollars for a car’s internal equipment, which is made of expensive metals. For example, a Catalytic Converter is made of mixed metals, including Platinum, Cerium, Palladium, and Rhodium.
There is no doubt that platinum is one of the most expensive metals after gold. A block of single-ounce platinum in the USA is worth over 1K USD. But, shockingly enough, rhodium is 1800 USD/ounce. Palladium is approximately $2300/ounce. And last but not least, cerium metal is $5K/kg. Here’s a shocking note: Cerium is one of the rarest of rarest earth metals.
As a result, by putting all the values together, a catalytic converter theft allows a robber to earn upto 2K USD in a single go. If the car is of the much higher brand, the Catalytic Converter Theft value leads up to 5000 USD as well. It is one of the reasons why Catalytic Converter Theft has been persistently on the rise.
Another notable reason for the Catalytic Converter Theft constant rise from 2020 – to 2022 is the global pandemic. How? Let’s find out.
How has COVID-19 impacted Catalytic Converter Theft statistics in the USA?
In the United States, India, or any other country for that matter, Catalytic Converter Theft crime reports are constantly rising. Greed for money is one reason for it. However, why go for a Catalytic Converter, a piece of internal car equipment which is challenging to remove? Here is your answer:
As mentioned before, a Catalytic Converter’s job is to convert toxic glass, compounds, and pollutants into air/steam and release it through the tailpipe. Amid COVID-19, the demand for Catalytic Converter in cars has increased because it is equipment that protects the public from toxic gasses created by thousands of people driving every day.
Amid COVID-19, the risk of catching this virus increases when you are in public, pollution, too many people, and so on. As a result, to decrease the risk of pollution via toxic gasses released by cars, the monetary value of the Catalytic Converter has been raised.
Another reason for Catalytic Converter Theft increment is that the metal market is on the rise. In the past two years, Gold (valuable earth metal) value has increased by 25%. Other earth materials like Platinum, Cerium, Rhodium are also on the rise because it is a global pandemic, and the earth is at the most risk.
Top 5 tips to prevent yourself from being another victim of Catalytic Converter Theft
Now when you park your car, either in a big parking lot, safe and secure valet service, or somewhere on the side of the road, please note that you are at the risk of Catalytic Converter Theft. What to do? You can take measures to prevent it. Let’s find out how.
#1: Never park your car outside the garage
More often than not, while living in a posh neighborhood, people often ignore taking real-time self precautions to protect their assets. But, this does not mean that a posh neighborhood cannot come across crime like Catalytic converter theft. Indeed, there is a high chance of catalytic Theft because, in posh areas, people are rich and have the most expensive cars. As a result, the selling value of catalytic converters (even second-hand) is higher.
So, if you live in a good neighborhood, even then, please consider parking your car in a garage with a locking facility. Please report to the police if you see any strange person lurking around cars in your area. It can be part of a catalytic money laundering scheme.
Apart from this, just in case you could not park the car inside the garage, keep a window open in the house which will allow you if someone is messing with your car outside. Another safe way to go is, installing a safety alarm in your car.
#2: Never park your car in the opposite direction
Have you ever noticed that more often, people park cars in the wrong direction? According to the car theft safety guide and workshops, one should always park a car in such a way that its tailpipe is at the end of the wall or fences. In this way, it would be nearly impossible for a robber to steal the catalytic converter which is on the side of the wall. Even if the robber tries to steal it, you will have enough time to react to the safety alarm and call the cops.
Another crucial tip you must note is to never park your car away from all the cars in the parking lot. It allows the robber to notice the wide space around your car and conveniently dismember and steal the catalytic converter.
#3: Register your catalytic converter
As mentioned before, Catalytic converter theft crime is on the rise at a very speedy pace. It is crucial that you take every significant step to protect yourself or your car from such loss in the future. Many companies offer security marking kits for catalytic converters.
In this kit, you can use a permanent liquid marker to craft a mark on your catalytic converter. Henceforth, if your converter is stolen, police will be able to identify it in the black market and catch the thief.
#4: Install Converter protection device
While you are occupied in lunch or dinner outside or enjoying an event, you would not want to persistently worry about the safety of your vehicle. To get rid of this constant worry, you can get a converter protection device installed on your catalytic converter. It is positioned under your car.
This protection device is a high-end metallic and bolted shield which covers the catalytic converter. Thus, it would take a whole lot of time for the robber to remove this shield. As it is big and impossible to unlock without the help of a professional.
Currently, the market price of catalytic converter shields is $150 online. You can self-purchase and install it to cover the converter at home if you have practice in mechanics. If not, then you get it professionally installed for $300 inclusive.
#5: Always Park behind low clearance vehicle
To begin with, some peoples’ parking habits can differ and annoy. For instance, many people with high clearance vehicles refuse to park their cars behind. Or on the side of a low clearance vehicle for some reason. But, do you know? While you are parking your car in a public car parking space, there is a high chance of catalytic converter theft. Because there are almost no people in the parking lot for more than 5 minutes. Due to the many cars in the crowd, a robber can easily hide from security and do his job.
By parking behind or on the side of a low clearance vehicle. You will be able to make it challenging for the robber to get under your car in the first place.
#6: Report the crime
More often than not, car owners do not realize that their Catalytic converter has gone until a professional tells them. It is because a car works fine for a while after the catalytic converter is removed. But, there are some major signs that you can keep an eye out for, such as:
- Your vehicle will begin to make a weirdly loud noise that you will instantly notice.
- Check Engine light will constantly blink, even if your engine is fine.
- Your car will begin to give you a dizzy feeling or a headache. It is perhaps because toxic gasses are no longer released out of the vehicle.
Apart from the signs, please also take your car to the nearby mechanic if it feels strangely less in weight. Please do not sit quietly and get a catalytic converter replaced with a new one. If you have become a victim of catalytic converter theft, please report the crime.
Epilogue
Are you ready to take the safety of your valuable car to the next level? If yes, then bookmark us. Get instant updates on newer car models, car maintenance and safety techniques, quick car mechanic tips, and more. Thank you for learning with us. Good luck!
