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Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Products Reviewed

Do catalytic converter anti-theft products really work as well as advertised? Here’s a review that puts a variety of products to the test that shows that some products do work much better than others. Plus, one example of a low-cost DIY option that works as well as the most expensive of anti-theft products.
Review of Anti-Theft Products for Catalytic Comverters

Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converters play an important role towards cleaner air. So much so, that following California’s vanguard measures of requiring original equipment catalytic converters in order to pass emissions testing, other states have following with similar laws.

However, as a result of the rising cost of limited natural resources for the key components of a catalytic converter that include the precious metals platinum, palladium, and rhodium, a black-market trade consisting of criminal types looking for an easy buck has emerged resulting in the stripping of unprotected cars of their catalytic converters----a problem that shows no signs of going away.

Replacing the stolen component with the same one used by the manufacturer of the vehicle does not come cheap, costing car owners anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000 along with damage done during the theft. Plus, your auto insurance policy might not cover the loss leading to an even heavier burden on car owners.

Solutions to the Problem
There are a number of solutions designed to prevent catalytic converter theft. But do they really work or are effective enough to discourage a theft attempt? That was the question posed in a recent Donut Media YouTube channel episode that bought a small number of anti-theft devices and decided to demonstrate their effectiveness.

The effectiveness of the products is measured against four factors:

Speed---how quickly a thief can get past the anti-theft device
Ease---how easy is it for the owner to install
Cost---the cost of the product to the consumer
Stealth---how much attention-generating noise does it take to get past the anti-theft device

The value of the video is not so much about the particular products but gives you a good idea of what features you will want that provide the best chance of preventing catalytic converter theft.

That all said, here is the video posted below that includes a DIY measure that is simple and more affordable and practically better toward protecting your car using a homebuilt rebar cage.

Please note you can start at timepoint 1:30 to get past the ads and right into the review.

We Tested Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Products

And finally…

For additional articles about catalytic converter theft, here are two from the past for your consideration:

• A Determined Catalytic Converter Theft and Other Car Fails

• Why Not All Ford Catalytic Converter Thefts are Bad News for Owners

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Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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