Catalytic converter protection

The 3rd gen Prius is not as sought after. You may deter them just by etching your Vin number on the catalytic converter.

 

I'm in L.A. this week.

I've noticed a few independent exhaust shops advertising various cat protection devices and installation services.

And I've also spotted a new window sticker on a few cars, proudly proclaiming that the vehicle was protected by some kind of anti-theft device on the catalyst.

It made me wonder if anyone has gone much down the road of applying the warning stickers without necessarily installing the actual anti-theft devices.

 

Why would you think this is untrue?

 

No clue on sticker availability or effectiveness. I wasn't about to crawl under a random car to see if the steak matched the sizzle.

Regarding the vin number? Depends. If the stolen cats are being handled by a local recycler then this will absolutely be a powerful step in catching thieves and rolling it all up.

On the other hand, if the stolen cats are just going into a cargo container that will be unloaded overseas? Haahahahaha, write anything you want on those parts, it won't make a lick of difference.

 

This only affects people in the California type of mission states if you're anywhere else in the country this is a $200 inconvenience only in California will this come to 3000 plus because of their laws not because they're cleaner or anything else just because of their writing of the law everywhere else no problem so I take it that everybody that's worried about this lives in California or in that type of an emission state with the law worded like that I don't so I don't worry

 

aftermarket cats, illegal in ca.

take a look at @Mendel Leisk 's simple but elegant solution

 

The average price for an after-market cat

 

What about a motion detector?

 

One specific aftermarket cat was approved for Prius last year, I seem to remember as Magnaflow. Unfortunately, it isn't cheaper than OEM.

 

No, Mendel shows how he wrapped his cat with a thick chain and bolted it to the car.

 

sorry, here it is
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There's a direct link in my signature, last one.

 

I wasn't the one who said untrue, but I agree with that.

If you have ever seen the videos of Cat thefts, the thieves swoop in, go under the car, and emerge quickly with the cat -- 10 minutes tops. (1) they aren't going to look for/see the VIN and even if they do, they aren't going to stop; (2) just like you can etch the VIN on, they can etch it off if the resale market is where the stolen Cat is going -- plus many of the shops that purchase used cats are not going to care that there's obliterated VIN; (3) mostly the thieves what the metals inside the cat and will be discarding the shell with your VIN on it.

Cat thefts are a big media thing because it's an interesting story that people can relate to. But your chances of being a victim are very small. Across all Prius models and all production years, there have been 26,000 thefts this year. Sounds like a lot until you think that at the peak, there were over 200,000 Prius vehicles sold in a single year and the model is now pushing 20 years old.

 

cops have a hard time proving catalytic converters are stolen, even when thieves are caught red handed with the cut catalytic in their car. With an etched vin, that is proof for some that it's stolen (if it's reported to insurance or cops). Some thieves will think twice when it's harder to sell, and can prove possession of stolen goods.

 

Dammit…just got my stolen last night! Any recommendations on a shop and future protection, or even how to handle this bs situation? Located in Los Angeles by the way. Thanks