These 5 Cars Are Least Likely to Have Their Catalytic Converters Stolen
Catalytic converter theft is a serious issue. Chances are you or someone you know has had their catalytic converter stolen at some point. Did you know that some vehicles have catalytic converters that are less likely to be stolen?
What are Catalysts?
Catalytic converters or “Kats” are part of the exhaust system. When exhaust gases pass through a catalytic converter, it breaks down harmful emissions into less toxic compounds.
Why do people steal catalytic converters? Catalytic converters contain rare and expensive materials like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which makes them so expensive. Unfortunately, catalytic converters are often easy to steal. Often, all a thief needs is a hacksaw to cut open the exhaust pipe. Do all cars have catalytic converters?
Almost all internal combustion engine vehicles manufactured since 1975 are equipped with at least one catalytic converter. Some vehicles have multiple catalytic converters. Some catalytic converters are mounted on each bank of cylinders, while others are located on a center pipe behind the exhaust manifold.
Electric vehicles do not have catalytic converters, but hybrids still have them. In fact, hybrid cars have some of the most valuable catalytic converters because the vehicle is only powered by electricity for a time, so the catalytic converter is used less frequently than a pure combustion engine.
Which car is least likely to have its catalytic converter stolen?If you live in a rough area and want to choose a car with a low chance of catalytic converter theft, here is a list to help you:
1) Mini Cooper
The Mini is a small car with clever packaging under the hood. The catalytic converter on a 3rd generation Mini is mounted in a downpipe right next to the turbocharger.
This location makes it completely inaccessible from underneath. A thief would have to somehow open the hood and loosen a few components to get to the catalytic converter, a process that is neither quick nor clever.
2) Mazda RX-7 or RX-8
You’re lucky if you find an RX-7 or RX-8 that hasn’t been stolen and still has its original catalytic converter. Wankel engines are notorious for catalytic converter burnouts. Wankel engines tend to run rich and spew unburned fuel out of the exhaust. Both of these will burn out the catalytic converter pretty quickly, leaving little to nothing for a thief to salvage.
3) Audi
Many of these vehicles, especially Audis, require special tools to remove the panels, such as: B. Torx bit. Even if a thief had access to these tools, it would take a significant amount of time to remove these panels to reach the catalytic converter. Thieves are more likely to look for easier targets like trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.
4) BMW E46 3 Series
Some BMWs, such as the E46 323i, 325i, 328i, and 330i models, have the catalytic converter integrated into the exhaust manifold. This configuration is nearly impervious to a hacksaw. A thief would need to loosen the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head, which is not possible without access under the hood.
5) Exotic Sports Cars
Exotic sports cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLarens are rare. Their rarity makes it much easier to track stolen parts, which helps to deter theft.
In addition, they are often so deep that a traditional jack would not be able to get underneath them.
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
If you don’t own a vehicle on this list, don’t worry. There are other ways to prevent catalytic converter theft.
1) Install a catalytic converter lock
There are several products on the market that will prevent catalytic converter theft. A catalytic converter lock makes it much more difficult or impossible to penetrate the guard. If you can slow a thief down long enough, it could be the difference between stealing your cat or someone else’s.
2) Park in a well-lit area
Thieves like to do their business in hidden places. If you park your car in a well-lit, well-traveled area, you are less likely to be a victim of theft. This also applies to car break-ins. Bonus points if you can park next to a security camera.
3) Lower the car
Deeper cars are harder to jack up. If a thief can’t get a jack under the car, it’s nearly impossible for them to reach the catalytic converter. There are many options on the market to lower your vehicle. Lowering springs and coilovers are popular options, especially for sports cars. If your vehicle has high ground clearance when driving but is too low to use a jack when parking, consider installing air suspension.
4) Park it in a garage
The best way to prevent catalytic converter theft is to hide your car in a locked garage. Not only will your car be out of sight, but it will also be difficult or impossible to access. While not everyone has access to this, some homes and cities have locked garages available for rent.
Conclusion
Catalytic converter theft is common, but some car owners can rest easy knowing that their catalytic converter is likely safe. If you are a victim of catalytic converter theft, try to understand how the thief managed to steal your catalytic converter.
