If you live in the Cincinnati area, you’ve probably seen news reports from time to time about people having their catalytic converter stolen right off of their parked cars. Though these thefts have been happening for years both in Cincinnati and all over the country, it the number of these thefts has ramped up in the past few years, with thieves getting bolder all of the time. So, what exactly is in a catalytic converter that makes it so enticing to these thieves? And what has changed that is making catalytic converter theft even more enticing than ever?
The Catalytic Converter: Your Exhaust System’s Cleaner
Cars didn’t always have a catalytic converter. In the old days, the exhaust exited the engine and came out from your car’s tailpipe almost completely unaltered. The exhaust stank and lingered in the air, causing bigger cities like Los Angeles to live in a permanent haze of unburned hydrocarbons. The man who invented the catalytic converter, Eugene Houdry, had this solution to excessive smog developed by the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the passing of the Clean Air Act of 1970 that all cars were required to have one of his smog-busting catalytic converters installed.
When the exhaust comes out of your engine it is filled with toxic hydrocarbons like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. When this exhaust is forced through a cylinder honeycombed with a catalyst like platinum, palladium and/or rhodium, the deadly gasses that are released are changed through the power of science to more inert materials like water, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. This large-scale requirement of cars to have catalytic converters reduced the amount of smog produced by vehicles significantly, and as the style and effectiveness of the cats have been improved over the years, the reduction in smog is better than ever these days. If you spend any amount of time doing classic or vintage car repair, you will absolutely notice how much more potent the exhaust is from one of the pre-1970s models.
It All Comes Down to the Precious Metals and Inflation
So the real question is, why are these converters so desirable to thieves? Remember those precious metals that are used as catalysts to reduce the hydrocarbon emissions? Everything is more expensive these days due to overall supply chain issues, and precious metals are no exception. Rhodium in particular has exploded in price, with the price in 2019 hovering somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000 an oz and it reaching an all time high of $27,000 an oz in April 2021.
Though each catalytic converter only contains a few grams of each of these precious metals (1 gram is only around 1/32 of an ounce), this does mean that each catalytic converter may be worth a few hundred dollars in scrap value. And though your average catalytic converter thief doesn’t have the know-how to extract the metal from the cats to get their maximum value, the amount that a savvy thief can get with an unattended car, a few minutes and a hacksaw is definitely more than minimum wage.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Catalytic Converter Safe?
As with any type of thievery, the likelihood of your catalytic converter walking away has to do with the thief’s opportunity, and how much your cat is worth to begin with. If your car is normally parked in a gated community or your garage, you probably don’t have too much to worry about. But if you have to park in the city after dark, you may be more at risk.
There are certain cars that have more desirable catalytic converters than others. SUVs that are higher from the ground are even more of a risk for theft because the robbers don’t even need to jack the car up to get underneath and remove the part from the exhaust system. If catalytic converter theft is a problem in your neighborhood, it may be worth it to invest in a shield for your catalytic converter. Though it will not deter the most determined of cat burglars, it may convince some that yours isn’t worth the effort.
Comprehensive Insurance Should Cover Converter Theft
If the worst should happen despite your precautions, your comprehensive auto insurance should cover the cost of the replacement and repair. And your favorite local auto shop should be able to get your car back on the road ASAP. Catalytic converters have done a lot over the years to reduce car smog and are essential for a clean, quiet ride; the only problem is making sure they stay safely attached to your car. There’s always someone who has to ruin a good time.
