Where is my catalytic converter located

Using it regularly will help clear out those stubborn deposits and prevent new carbon build up from forming. How long do catalytic converters last? Can a car run without a catalytic converter? Therefore, in most modern vehicles a car can run just fine without a cat. Please note, this is not to say running without a cat is good for the environment. How long can I drive with a bad catalytic converter? It Can Be Driven Indefinitely A plugged catalytic converter will only in extreme cases prevent you from driving your car.

You can usually drive your car indefinitely with a partially plugged converter, though you will see a drop in performance. What does a bad catalytic converter sound like? Rattling Noises. Your catalytic converter consists of small, honeycomb-shaped components that can cause a rattling sound when broken. If your catalytic converter is broken, this rattling should be loudest when the car starts, and should get worse over time.

How can I tell if my catalytic converter has been stolen? When a catalytic converter is not installed, you will see medium to dark smoke coming out of your muffler. Listen to the exhaust. The catalytic converter helps reduce the sound in a car, just like the muffler. Check the exhaust system under your car.

Why are catalytic converters being stolen? Catalytic converters need to work at high temperatures of up to degrees to maximise their efficiency. There are various types of catalytic converter. Diesel cars typically have special catalytic converters to cope with the specific emissions from compression ignition diesel engines. These Diesel Oxidation Catalyst units are routinely paired with additional exhaust treatment technologies such as exhaust gas recirculation, Diesel Particulate Filters to trap soot and Selective Catalytic Reduction which uses injections of AdBlue urea solution to remove NOx.

Reports suggest that the growth could be attributed to supply chain issues which have made it harder for dealers to secure replacement catalytic converters through official channels, creating a black market. Historically, however, the greatest driver of thefts has been the overseas markets for the precious metals inside the units.

Catalytic converters stolen in the UK are often illegally transported abroad and the metals recycled. While thefts of catalytic converters are still rare, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your vehicle Catalytic converters have been around since the 19th century when metal cylinders containing filters coated in platinum, Iridium and palladium were fitted to early French motor cars in an attempt to clean up the smoke coming out of their exhausts.

In order to steal the parts, thieves need to slide under the vehicle and use cutting tools to detach the box from the pipes around it. This means how you park you car matters. Parking close to walls or fences can help, but remember not to block pedestrian access, especially for wheelchair users. Some garages will etch a unique serial number onto your catalytic converter so it can be easily identified if it is stolen. You'll also be provided with a sticker to be displayed in your window that indicates your catalytic converter is marked - which prevents offenders from targeting your vehicle.

If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove.

You can purchase devices that lock in around the converter to make it more difficult to remove. Toyota has its own device, called a Catloc. The Catloc has over 45 bespoke fitments, so the device should fit quite a few models in the range.

Hybrid models like the Toyota Prius , which contain a higher percentage of precious metals, are also particularly at risk. The Catloc can't guarantee theft prevention but it does make cutting the cat converter out more difficult. Unfortunately, if you don't park on your driveway then this can be significantly more difficult to implement.

There are alternative options to keep an eye on your car when you park it up, like wildlife trail cameras - but realistically it's best to park in areas where there's possible CCTV filming anyway - like well-lit, well-traversed streets if you can't park off-street.

With the cost of CCTV systems falling an becoming an easy job to intall not requiring specialist services , it's never been simpler to keep an eye on your car.

It's worth considering for peace of mind generally, not just for catalytic converter theft. This is another one that's more to do with common sense and lowering the chances of a crime being committed generally - it's not specific to catalytic converter theft. Thieves are often opportunistic and the equipment required to cut out a cat converter is pretty heavy-duty, but once a vehicle is targeted - thieves tend to wait for an opportunity to strike as the theft itself takes a matter of minutes.

If you park in an area that's well lit, which people regularly walk past, you're less likely to come back to find your catalytic converter has been pinched. If your vehicle doesn't have an alarm and you live in an area where cat converter thefts are on the rise big cities like London , it's definitely time to invest in one.

The noise of the alarm should be enough to scare off any thieves. The CatClamp 'clamps' to the exhaust pipes, not the converter, allowing different sized and shaped converters to be protected. This eliminates the risk of damaging the converter, heat shield or oxygen sensors. If you don't have a garage you can access, try to park alongside other vehicles or in designated parking areas - i.

If you operate a small fleet, consider obstructing access to vehicles with high ground clearance by parking lower vehicles close by. Also, keep an eye out for anyone who seems to be working underneath cars nearby, they could very well be scouting out their next target vehicle.

Catalytic converters have been fitted to car exhausts as standard for almost 30 years to reduce harmful emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

The metals act as catalysts as the name suggests and convert the harmful gases into water vapour and less harmful emissions. Before the arrival of catalytic converters, exhaust fumes would exit the exhaust pipe with no filtering at all. The motor insurer Admiral reports a recent increase in catalytic converter thefts with thieves looking for good quality parts from Japanese models such as the Honda Jazz , Toyota Prius , Toyota Auris and Lexus RX of all generations and ages.

Hybrids are at particular risk, because their catalytic converters contain a higher concentration of precious metals and are generally less corroded. As long as you have a policy that covers against theft, yes. Though this may vary between insurers, so you should check your policy. If your catalytic converter has been stolen, you'll need to contact the police immediately and, following that, your insurer who will advise you on what to do next.

Depending on the damage, you may not be able to drive your car, so it's worth getting in contact with your garage too. Plug-in hybrid cars will have a catalytic converter, but purely electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf , Renault Zoe and Volkswagen ID3 do not have an internal combustion engine and therefore do not require an exhaust system, including a catalytic converter.