How to Protect a Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converters are often made of materials that can be sold for a decent amount of money. Because of this, it is a common occurrence for thieves to steal and sell for money. Because they are a mandatory requirement for all cars to have, it can be a problem if one gets stolen. Luckily, there are a few things to be done to prevent this from happening.

What You Will Need

• Garage


• Converter protector


• Etching kit


• Welding kit


• Motion light

• Use an etching kit to etch your vehicle's VIN into the catalytic converter. Doing this can help to prove that the part is stolen and can make it easier for the police to track and recover.

• Place a catalytic converter protector on the vehicle. These protectors can make it difficult for the thief to saw off the catalytic converter. Two popular protectors are the Catclamp and the Catcuff.

• Weld the bolts on the catalytic converter. This option is only available for those who have catalytic converters that are bolted on.

• Park your vehicle in well-lit places. Many thieves won’t want to steal from vehicles that can be easily seen.

• Install a motion sensor light in your driveway. This can help to scare off any potential thieves.

• Park your vehicle inside your garage when at home. Many thieves won’t want to waste the time it takes to break into a garage to steal a catalytic converter. This is a simple preventative measure that can easily save you the hassle of having to replace your converter.

• Park in a supervised lot when out of the house. Make sure the lot you park in has an attendant or security guard. Additionally, it may help to park near the lights in the garage as well.