¡Consigue esta oferta! Llama ahora.
Hable con un especialista en planes de protección de vehículos y obtenga $300 apagado any new contract instantly.
Llame al 866-678-4172Flanges, calipers, flywheels, and spindles – are all parts and pieces within your car that you might not be familiar with. Even if you don’t understand what each vehicle component does, you can still protect your car from unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Following a routine maintenance schedule can help you avoid unplanned visits to a repair facility o certified mechanic, but protecting your vehicle’s vital components from theft is another story.
One often misunderstood part of a vehicle also happens to be one of the most frequently stolen items: the catalytic converter.
A vehicle’s conversor catalítico is the canister in the exhaust system, usually located before the muffler, that converts toxic gases into less poisonous fumes to reduce harmful emissions. Simply put, a catalytic converter is a critical component in any vehicle’s emissions system and can be found anywhere on a vehicle between its engine and muffler.
As a part of the emissions system, the converter helps to reduce the number of pollutants produced by combustion engines, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide. To do this, your car’s catalytic converter uses a chemical process using a “catalyst” to “convert” those harmful emissions into water vapors and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Due to this conversion, having a working catalytic converter is essential to pass your state’s emissions test. These catalysts are also what make a catalytic converter one of the most stolen items out of any vehicle.
Your vehicle’s catalytic converter uses precious metals as the necessary “catalysts” to create the chemical reaction needed to convert those harmful pollutants into less toxic water vapor and CO2. To achieve the necessary chemical reactions, catalysts are typically made from precious metals such as Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium.
As recently as March 2021, an ounce of Platinum is worth $1,135 per ounce, and Palladium at $2,332 per ounce. Rhodium alone can have an unsteady price with a single ounce ranging from $10,000 to over $21,000. Though, most catalytic converters only have six or fewer grams of these precious metals inside of them. Despite this, there were a reported 14,000+ catalytic converters stolen across the United States in 2020. In Wichita, Kansas alone, more than 500 converters were reported stolen.
Vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, are also more prone to theft due to hybrid cars putting less stress on their converters, resulting in less wear and tear damage and a better overall condition — resulting in a better price when sold. Catalytic converter theft can also be quick, with thieves needing only a few minutes to use either a saw or a wrench to remove the converter before selling the item on the black market or scrap yards.
Simply put, a vehicle’s catalytic converter generally not covered component by an extended auto warranty o contrato de servicio de vehiculo, so replacing them can be expensive.
While not included in a warranty, because catalytic converters are vital to a vehicle’s emissions system, they are included under the Federal Emissions Warranty as a part of the Clean Air Act. This protection covers a vehicle’s catalytic converter for up to 8-years/80,000-miles due to failure but will not cover you for the cost of a replacement if your converter is stolen. Your auto insurance provider, however, should cover theft or damage caused by an accident or inclement weather.
Protect your vehicle from unexpected breakdowns and repair bills with a comprehensive auto protection plan like EnduranceAdvantage™. Covering your vehicle’s other vital components, such as the engine and transmission, you can rest easy knowing you’re protected from paying out-of-pocket for repairs. You can also receive up to $3,500 in routine maintenance services like tire rotations, oil and filter changes, and more at no additional cost.
As a critical piece of any vehicle’s emissions system under the Clean Air Act, it is recommended that a damaged or missing catalytic converter be replaced by a licensed repair facility. Performing this type of DIY maintenance on your own or by a friend or family could not only result in more expensive repairs, but it could void your warranty as well.
Replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive, as professional labor and fees can cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000+ depending on the make/model of your vehicle, such as:
Other vehicles, such as the Ferrari F430, can cost up to $3,770 for a new catalytic converter. Because the F430 requires two converters, a total replacement would cost over $7,540 before labor.
To protect your vehicle’s catalytic converter from being stolen, there are few steps you can take:
Calling your local repair facilities or authorities to learn about the vehicle makes/models targeted in your area can also help you prepare. If you find these car types match your vehicle, avoid potential theft of your catalytic converter using the above steps or additional advice from an auto technician or authorities.
Protect your vehicle and your wallet with an Endurance vehicle protection plan. We offer the most comprehensive selection of auto protection plans in the industry – working with a wide range of vehicles and budgets to find drivers the best coverage available. Each plan comes with 1 year of FREE Beneficios de Endurance Élite for even more perks and savings, including tire repair/replacement, key fob replacement, roadside assistance, and more.
While physically checking to see if your converter is still on your vehicle may be the best way to know if it was stolen, other common signs of a faulty or missing converter include:
Staying up-to-date on mantenimiento preventivo is also essential when owning a vehicle. Even though a catalytic converter may not be fully covered, with an auto protection plan like EnduranceVentaja, you can receive comprehensive vehicle coverage and essential services at no additional cost. With this plan, services like tire rotations, oil and filter changes, and alignment checks are included. EnduanceVentaja customers also receive yearly engine diagnostic exams and state safety inspection services, so you can be sure your vehicle is prepared for your next emissions test.
Request a free, no-obligation quote today for more information about any Endurance protection plan, or visit the Centro de Aprendizaje to discover more informative and helpful articles.
It’s no surprise to anyone who’s been car shopping recently that automobiles are expensive. The average new car costs $48,000, while the typical pre-owned car costs about $25,600. These are..
The arrival of spring signals a time for renewal, fresh starts, and new projects. One effort to add to your task list is getting your car in shape after winter...
Winter driving can be tough on your car and its components. Subzero temperatures and inclement weather push vehicles to their limits, so when spring rolls around, it couldn’t be a..
Su protección es nuestra principal prioridad. Su cotización está en proceso y usted
recibirá un correo electrónico de confirmación en breve.
Estamos aquí para asegurarnos de que obtenga la protección EV más completa. Por eso nos hemos asociado con Xcelerate automático para ofrecerle una cobertura Tesla transparente y confiable.
¿Quiere que nos comuniquemos con usted acerca de la cobertura XCare para su Tesla?
Sign up and get $300 off your new contract!
Al hacer clic en el botón, acepta que Endurance utilice tecnología automatizada para llamarlo, enviarle un correo electrónico y enviarle mensajes de texto utilizando la información de contacto anterior, incluido su número de teléfono móvil, si se proporciona, con respecto a la protección del automóvil o, en California, el seguro contra averías mecánicas. También acepta el Endurance política de privacidad y Términos y condiciones. El consentimiento no es una condición de compra y puede retirar el consentimiento en cualquier momento. Se pueden aplicar tarifas por mensajes y datos.
Hable con un especialista en planes de protección de vehículos y obtenga $300 apagado any new contract instantly.
Llame al 866-678-4172Simplemente complete la información a continuación y le daremos seguimiento rápidamente con su cotización gratuita y sin compromiso.
Al hacer clic en el botón, acepta que Endurance utilice tecnología automatizada para llamarlo, enviarle un correo electrónico y enviarle mensajes de texto utilizando la información de contacto anterior, incluido su número de teléfono móvil, si se proporciona, con respecto a la protección del automóvil o, en California, el seguro contra averías mecánicas. También acepta el Endurance política de privacidad y Términos y condiciones. El consentimiento no es una condición de compra y puede retirar el consentimiento en cualquier momento. Se pueden aplicar tarifas por mensajes y datos.
Since the age of 16, Keith has been immersed in the automotive industry, beginning his career by helping his dad fix vehicles at a young age. Keith now owns his own family-run, ASE Certified repair shop, A+ Autocare. At his shop, he focuses on building trusting relationships with his community through exceptional customer service. Leer más about Keith.