Catalytic Converter Theft: 5 Key Points for Car Owners

Catalytic converters play an important role in minimizing the harmful pollutants emitted by vehicles. For decades, U.S. automakers have included catalytic converters in their vehicles' exhaust systems. Unfortunately, these components do their job with the aid of valuable precious metals, making them a prime target for thieves.

If you've had your vehicle's catalytic converter stolen, you need to understand why this sort of thing happens, what trouble signs to look out for, how to deal with the problem, and how to prevent future such thefts. Bring yourself up to speed on the subject by taking a look at the following five key points.

1. Why Thieves Target Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters reduce engine emissions through reduction and oxidation. In the reduction process, the precious metals rhodium and platinum act as a catalyst that converts nitrogen oxide to simple nitrogen and oxygen. Another catalyst made of palladium or platinum converts hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to water and carbon dioxide.

The market price of these precious metals has soared in recent years. Between 2015 and 2021, the price of palladium shot up from approximately $500 per ounce to an early-2021 price of about $2,500 per ounce, while rhodium's price went up by over 3,000 percent. Thieves can, therefore, get hundreds of dollars for stolen catalytic converters.

2. How to Tell If Someone Has Stolen Your Catalytic Converter

You will probably encounter your first sign that someone has stolen your catalytic converter the next time you start your car. The vehicle may make an unusually rough, loud noise that grows even louder as you apply the accelerator. You may also smell an unusually strong odor of gasoline fumes.

If you notice these symptoms, turn off the car and look at the undercarriage. A catalytic converter looks like a metal canister positioned between the engine and the muffler on the passenger side. (Larger vehicles have two catalytic converters, one on each side.) An empty space in this area confirms catalytic converter theft as opposed to a simple malfunction.

3. Why You Need to Replace a Stolen Catalytic Converter

Under Georgia law, drivers must maintain any critical emissions devices (including catalytic converters) installed by the vehicle's manufacturer. The only exceptions include repair or replacement procedures, unsuccessful replacement attempts, cars more than 10 model years old, and cars driven less than 5,000 miles annually.

Even if you can legally operate your vehicle without a working catalytic converter, you probably wouldn't want to do so. In addition to the environmental damage caused by the extra emissions, you'd have to contend with poor engine performance, overpowering fuel odors, and unbearably obnoxious engine noise.

4. How Automotive Technicians Replace Catalytic Converters

Although catalytic converters can cost a lot of money to replace due to the precious metals they contain, automotive technicians can usually perform the replacement without undue difficulty once they have ordered the right parts for your particular vehicle. (They may also need to replace other parts damaged during the theft.)

Don't feel overly surprised or upset if the automotive repair team cannot replace your original catalytic converter with a cheaper aftermarket part. Some aftermarket catalytic converters don't work well with the onboard diagnostic computer systems installed in certain cars. Installation of factory-original parts helps to ensure proper performance.

5. How to Reduce Your Risk for Catalytic Converter Theft

If you can't secure your car in an enclosed private garage, park it in a well-lit driveway or parking lot area, preferably close to a main entrance, to deter would-be catalytic converter thieves. Engrave your catalytic converter with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to make the part harder to sell and, therefore, less attractive to thieves.

Consider taking some extra steps to make the theft itself more difficult to complete. For instance, some companies make protective devices that clamp the catalytic converter to the frame. Even if the thieves can still remove the part, the additional time required to do so may encourage them to look elsewhere.

Kell Radiator Service can replace that stolen catalytic converter. Request a free estimate today.