The Rise of Catalytic Converter Thefts in Edmonton

Over the past year, there has been an influx of catalytic converter thefts throughout the Edmonton region. While the average driver may not pay much attention to the catalytic converter, it’s highly appealing to thieves. The converters contain precious metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. As the market price for these metals increase, so do the number of thefts. Unfortunately for drivers, replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost upwards of $2,000.

Symptoms of a Stolen Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converters are part of the exhaust system, filtering out harmful pollutants. One of the telltale signs of a missing catalytic converter is a loud rumbling when you start your vehicle. The noise will get louder as you accelerate. You may notice that the ride is rough and choppy. If you inspect underneath your vehicle, you will be able to see two separated pieces of pipe where the catalytic converter used to be. If the vehicle is running, you’ll be able to see the exhaust escaping from this gap.

Who’s at risk?

Usually, trucks and SUVs are at a higher risk, as these sit higher off the ground and provide more room for thieves to crawl underneath. In early 2018, the prime target seemed to be older Honda CR-Vs (from the early to mid-2000s). However, this can vary significantly from year to year.

Prevention

There are a few precautions you can take to minimize your risk.

• Park in a personal or access-controlled garage when possible
• When in public, park in high traffic, high-pedestrian, and well-lit areas (ie. near building entrances and access roads)
• If your vehicle is at an elevated risk, consider more extreme security measures such as a catalytic converter lock or video surveillance
• If you notice anything suspicious in parking areas, contact the police immediately!

The team at Park Muffler has been providing expert exhaust services to the Edmonton-area since 1979. If you have questions about your catalytic converter or any other auto repair needs, contact our team today!