Popular Mechanics - USA (2022-03 & 2022-04)

Thieves

Want Your

Catalytic

Converter.

Here’s

How to

Stop Them

A

CCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME BUREAU

(NICB), thefts of catalytic converters jumped by nearly

326 percent from 2019 to 2020, hitting 14,433 reported

cases. This exhaust emission control device contains pre-

cious metals, and a crook can earn as much as $250 for a

couple of minutes of work with a reciprocating saw. Mean-

while, if you’re unfortunate enough to have your vehicle’s

catalytic converter stolen, parts and labor can cost you upwards of

$1,000 for a replacement.

As exhaust f lows toward your vehicle’s muff ler, it enters a catalytic

converter (also referred to as a cat) and its catalyst-coated honey-

comb structure. There, the catalyst’s precious metals help convert

the byproducts of internal combustion—carbon monoxide, nitric

oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons—into carbon

dioxide and water.

With the proper tools

and equipment, a

catalytic converter

shield or lock can

be installed in just a

couple of hours.

14 March/April 2022

GE

TT

Y^ I

MA

GE

S

Cars &

(^4) Trucks
// BY M ATT CRISAR A //