Which cars do they steal catalytic converters?

Which cars do they steal catalytic converters?

The Toyota Prius is the most targeted car for catalytic converter theft. As a low-emissions vehicle, Prius converters contain larger amounts of the precious metals platinum, rhodium, and palladium. Thieves can fetch as much as $700 per converter from unscrupulous scrap yards.

How do I stop someone from stealing my catalytic converter?

What Can I Do to Protect My Car’s Catalytic Converter?

1. When possible, park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances.
2. If you have a garage at your house, park your car inside and keep the garage door shut.
3. Have the catalytic converter welded to your car’s frame, which may make it harder to steal.

Is it possible to drive without a catalytic converter?

Driving with a Bad Catalytic Converter: Is it Possible? Technically, yes. Older cars ran just fine before catalytic converters became commonplace in the 1970s. So, if your question is whether your car will run without one, then it most certainly will.

Where is the catalytic converter in a car?

What is a Catalytic Converter? The catalytic converter is an emission control device found in the exhaust system. First introduced in the 1970s, it quickly became standard issue equipment on most vehicles. Today, federal and state laws require its presence on nearly all vehicles.

What happens when a catalytic converter goes bad?

Your car may exhibit symptoms ranging from a slight lack of power and a noticeable loss of fuel economy to a dreadfully sluggish running engine or even a no-start. Typically a catalyst that has failed so that it affects the way the vehicle performs deteriorates slowly enough that it may not be noticeable at first.

Is it safe to drive with a bad catalytic converter?

Is it Safe to Drive With a Bad Catalytic Converter? To answer the question, let’s begin by saying that a missing converter and a failed converter are two different things. If the vehicle will run well enough to get you from point A to point B, then yes, it’s safe to drive. But catalytic converters don’t always fail the same way.

What should the temperature of a catalytic converter be?

Many drivers simply don’t push their vehicles hard enough to heat the catalytic converter to its most-efficient temperature—between 800 °F (426 °C) and 1,832 °F (1,000 °C)—leading to premature failure.

When to replace a catalytic converter in a car?

If the converter has failed or is missing, safety won’t be a factor. But you’ll want to replace the converter as soon as you discover the failure or theft. Also, never buy any vehicle that has had its converter removed unless you plan to repair the exhaust to make it legal again.

What is the diagnostic code for a catalytic converter?

An illuminated check engine light or malfunction indicator lamp (CEL or MIL) with a catalytic converter diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is the most common catalytic converter problem indicator.