Catalytic converter thefts have significantly increased around Los Angeles, with Toyota Prius and Honda Elements suffering the most. These robbers rip the catalytic converter out of the car and drive off in less than 60 seconds.
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How much is a catalytic converter for a Honda Element worth?
A new catalytic converter for a Honda Element will typically cost between $2,760 and $2,774. Between $53 and $67 is projected to be spent on labor, whereas $2,707 is the cost of the parts.
Honda Elements: Are they simple to steal?
Thieves can sell the platinum for a few hundred dollars, just like when they steal copper from houses and companies.
Because platinum is such a more precious metal than copper, robberies of that metal are in fact more profitable.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, the raw material reached its closing price on Wednesday of $1,472.20 per troy ounce.
Because Honda Elements and other SUVs sit higher off the ground, making catalytic converter theft possible in two minutes or less, they are magnets for thieves.
The following precautions are provided by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company:
- If you run a business or factory or work there, park inside a fenced area that is active during the day and locked up at night.
- Make the converter readable by engraving your license plate number to make it traceable.
- Invest in a vehicle security system, and set it up such that it will activate at the smallest movement possible.
- If there is a lot of traffic near the access road or the building’s entrance at shopping centers or other parking lots, park there.
- Find out more about the various catalytic converter theft deterrent devices online or at your neighborhood auto parts store.
- Visit a nearby muffler shop to have a couple of pieces of hardened steel welded to the frame to secure the converter to the vehicle.
- Always leave your car in a well-lit place.
Cars lacking catalytic converters can still be driven.
The catalytic converter works as a component of an automobile’s exhaust system to lessen air pollution. Driving without a catalytic converter won’t in any way harm your engine or your vehicle.
The most popular vehicles for catalytic converter theft are what cars?
These are the vehicles that need catalytic converters the most.
- Ford F-Series pickup trucks from 1985 to 2021 (F-150, F-250, etc.)
- Honda Accord: 1989–2020.
- Jeep Patriot, 2007–2017.
- Ford Econoline vans from 1990 to 222.
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks from 1999 to 2021.
- Chevy Equinox, model years 2005–21.
- Honda CR-V, which is available from 1997 until 2020.
- Toyota Camry, 1987–2019.
What vehicles have the lowest risk of having their catalytic converters stolen?
The likelihood of a catalytic converter being stolen from a car is far lower if it is installed in the engine compartment. Catalysts are often less valuable for many American and some Asian auto companies. You can also purchase a car that is older, electric, diesel, or without a catalytic converter.
Certain Brand Cars
Due to the lower value of their catalytic converters, American brands like Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen. This group includes several Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru cars.
Many brands employed cat-inspired designs that constrained the amount of precious metals present. The majority of thieves conduct adequate research to know to avoid using these brands.
Cars with Converters in the Engine Compartment
Instead of being further back on the vehicle’s exhaust system, the catalytic converter is often positioned in the engine compartment of some vehicles. It is significantly more challenging for a burglar to take it because of this design.
Theft will move on to a different model since no one wants to put in the extra effort to get to these kitties. This category includes numerous automobiles, including those made by Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen.
Cars Built Before 1974
You don’t have to be concerned about catalytic converter theft if your car was made before 1974. None of these cars are equipped with catalytic converters.
Following that, the authorities started cleaning up the pollution. Therefore, having a catalytic converter was required for all automobiles.
Electric Cars
Catalytic converters reduce the emissions from gasoline or diesel fuel. As a result, vehicles that run on electricity do not have catalytic converters.
There is nothing to clean because the car isn’t generating gaseous waste. There will be no use of gas or diesel power while the battery is charged by plugging into a power source. Popular options include the Tesla Model S, Volkswagen e-gold, and Audi E-Tron.
Diesel Vehicles
Compared to gasoline-powered automobiles, diesel vehicles employ a different kind of catalytic converter. The majority of converter burglars are aware that these aren’t as valuable as gas catalytic converters.
In most cases, rhodium, palladium, or platinum are not used in the construction of diesel converters or so-called particle filters. Thieves frequently abandon the diesel vehicle because they are after these rich metals instead.
Is the catalytic converter covered by the Honda warranty?
Canada and all of the United States If your power equipment engine has a warrantable condition, Honda will fix it for free, including labor, parts, and diagnosis. The fuel injection or carburetor system, the ignition system, and the catalytic converter are some examples of components in your emission control system.
How can I prevent theft of my Honda?
Finding your automobile gone from its parking space is the fastest way to spoil your day. And if you own a Honda, you should understand that this is not a frivolous concern. The Honda Accord is ranked as the #1 automobile among thieves in the 2016 Hot Wheels survey from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. 52,244 Accords were stolen in 2015, with the most common years being 1994, 1996, and 1997. The Honda Civic comes in second with 49,430 thefts, with the top three model years being 1997, 1998, and 2000.
It is clear that thieves are aware of which vehicles are the easiest to sell, which is undoubtedly a dig at Honda. To stop your Honda from being stolen, you can do a number of things, like:
- Transceiver: Install a radio frequency transceiver in your car so that authorities can track down a stolen vehicle.
- Never leave your keys in a parked car. Avoid leaving the car with the sunroof or windows open. Never let your car idle when you are not looking after it. Keep the title to your car hidden from thieves. Avoid leaving your automobile in a dark or high-crime location.
- Glass: Have the vehicle’s windows individually be inscribed with your VIN. It deters burglars since they don’t want to spend the money to replace all the windows.
- Although not infallible, steering wheel locks deter thieves, who will probably move on to another vehicle without one.
- Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System: The Honda Accord and Civic models come standard with an immobilizer theft-deterrent system. An ignition key with a transponder incorporated in is used by the system. A transponder code on the automobile key must correspond to a code in the car’s computer. The engine won’t start if they don’t line up.
- Don’t encourage burglars by leaving valuables like laptops, cameras, or telephones in your car.
- Lock your vehicle: Always keep your automobile locked, even when you’re inside it.
When you visit our Honda dealership for a test drive of the Accord, Civic, or another outstanding model, we’ll be pleased to show you how the Honda Immobilizer System works. Your pleasure is given top attention by all of our personnel, as you will discover.
Theft of newer Hondas is it more difficult?
The Honda Accord is the second most commonly stolen car, ranking among the top 10. Over 43,500 times this well-known family car was stolen in 2017. 6,301 of the Honda Accords reported as stolen in 1997. Why pick on the more aged models? According to one source, 1997 was the final year Hondas were manufactured without an immobilizer, and auto thieves are fully aware of this.
Prior to anti-theft technology, Honda built a large number of Civic and Accord vehicles in the early years. But they started using RFID and engine immobilizer technology to fight the widespread issues with break-ins and car theft in general. Of course, it’s not the automaker’s fault if you forget to lock your Honda Civic or leave the keys in the ignition, but using keyless entry as a way to lessen the amount of lost keys in the ignition has proven effective. The Civic and the Accord remain targets even if the newer models are more difficult to steal.
Customer testimonials extol the general excellence of Honda vehicles. They are frequently robust cars with lots of amenities and great fuel economy. They are incredibly inexpensive to buy and maintain. They may continue to draw auto thieves for the same reasons. Some claim that older Honda models make excellent targets since they retain their worth longer and can be simply dismantled for scrap. They may not be the showy sports cars with gemstones that criminals in movies flee in, but they are nonetheless reliable vehicles with high value, according to both consumers and criminals.
Honda catalytic converters: Are they worthwhile?
Honda catalytic converters typically have better values than average and are simple to recognize as OEM (what’s that?). You would think that Honda, one of the most well-known automakers, would do a better job of numbering or classifying their catalytic converters, but they don’t. Honda has a very subpar and insufficient system for its catalytic converters, while being one of the most expensive catalytic converter brands.
The majority of the units are not labelled with serial numbers, and many do not even have the logo, while a small number have numbers imprinted on them. This makes it more difficult and complex for scrappers to understand about.
How much is a catalytic converter off a 2003 Honda worth?
Whatever the circumstance, Advance Auto Parts has the critical Catalytic Converter product you require. For your 2003 Honda Accord, we now offer 34 Catalytic Converter items to select from, with prices ranging from $221.99 to $1,285.99.
How much are catalytic converters worth to thieves?
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the theft of catalytic converters, and law enforcement agencies around the nation are acting as a result.
In Los Angeles After noticing an increase in catalytic converter thefts since the start of the pandemic, U.S. law enforcement authorities are taking action.
“We’ve witnessed instances when they immediately grab the jacks, jack them up, shut them off, and keep an eye out for security, similar to NASCAR. The police typically purchase these products for $300 each, earning 10 to 20 per night “explained Detective Michael Ventura with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Tens of thousands of truck and car owners have suffered financial hardship as a result of the dramatic increase in catalytic converter thefts across the country, and the police have grown increasingly frustrated by the crime, which can be easily committed in a matter of minutes and is challenging to solve even if the parts are recovered.
The Phoenix Police Department recently seized more than 1,200 converters from a single storage unit in Arizona.
Since serial numbers are not inscribed on catalytic converters at the factory, stolen converters end up on the black market where they are cut open for the pricey metals they hold.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an organization of the insurance industry that aims to combat insurance fraud and crime, replacing one can cost a driver between $1,000 and $3,000. According to the police, thieves might make between $100 and $150 each converter.
Just 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters were tallied by the insurance company in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020, and more than 52,000 in 2017.
Step 1: Contact the Authorities
You need to notify the authorities right away if you discover that your catalytic converter is missing. To determine if they can assist in the capture of the individual who took your converter, they will investigate nearby surveillance cameras. A police report can also be necessary for your insurance coverage.
Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company
Your car insurance can pay for the replacement of your catalytic converter depending on your coverage. To find out your alternatives and whether you are insured, get in touch with your insurance representative.