The catalytic converter is an important component of today’s vehicle emission system. It’s also quite valuable and can be a target for theft. Do all cars have a catalytic converter, and why?
In this article, I take a look at this important component. I also discuss what cars don’t have a catalytic converter and demonstrate what makes the part so valuable.
Do All Cars Have Catalytic Converters?
If you’re driving a road-legal vehicle with a combustion engine that was built after 1975, it has to have a catalytic converter to comply with the Clean Air Act, per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In fact, today in the U.S. an automobile with a combustion engine must have a catalytic converter to limit emissions of the fuel-injected motors which create air-polluting elements such as nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.
If those contaminants are expelled through the exhaust system unchanged, they would be considered an even greater harm to the environment.
Luckily for us, the exhaust gases are converted to elements that are less harmful to the environment thanks to catalytic converters, which change those gases to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
A gas- or diesel-powered vehicle produced today will have at least one catalytic converter, and a hybrid will also have catalytic converter because it has an engine.
An electric vehicle will not have this emissions element and there are no emissions. Older vehicles made before the regulation most likely do not have a catalytic converter either.
Why is the Catalytic Converter Necessary?
The catalytic converter is meant to turn the harmful emissions that exit the exhaust system, into gases that will not harm the environment. Catalytic converters are used in both gas and diesel engines, but the operation is slightly different.
The use of a catalytic converter on a vehicle is mandated by federal law. You cannot drive a modern car, made since 1975, without having a catalytic converter. This is against the law.
With proper maintenance of the vehicle, the catalytic converter will last the lifetime of the car. Neglect of engine maintenance can lead to premature failure of the catalytic converter.
Why Does a Car Have More Than One Catalytic Converter?
Most vehicles have one catalytic converter, but it’s not uncommon to see some double cats on a vehicle, too. A dual exhaust vehicle works together with two exhaust pipes, so having two cats would provide proper exhaust flow.
Of course, that won’t always be the case. There may be exhaust pipes that do not function and may be just for looks, which means there could be some cats and not a matching set of exhaust pipes.
A vehicle may also have multiple catalytic converters to meet emissions requirements. Sometimes, the emissions need to be converted individually two times for clean emissions.
Can a Car Run Without a Catalytic Converter?
Mechanically, a car will still work and run without a catalytic converter. It’ll just not do it quietly, and you’ll be contributing to the pollution resulting from the vehicle.
With some modern cars, there are safeguards in place that will not allow a car to run properly without a catalytic converter. If you try driving it, you may experience engine performance reductions and a Check Engine Light may illuminate or stay on.
From a legal perspective of driving a vehicle without a catalytic converter, you are probably going to need to refrain from doing so. You’re breaking the law if you drive a car without a catalytic converter, and the vehicle will not pass emission standards. If local authorities saw you, you may be pulled over and ticketed.
The exception rule is the classic car. Manufacturers were not required to add catalytic converters to vehicles before 1975. This reason alone allows classic cars to drive on the road legally. You won’t have to worry about a hefty fine to just take a ride.
Why are Catalytic Converters Valuable?
Catalytic converter theft has been on the rise. While modern security systems make it more difficult for thieves to steal the cat, thieves still attempt to do so. So what’s the concern with catalytic converter theft, and why do thieves get a catalytic converter off a car?
To begin with, if you’re doing it the right way, it doesn’t take long to get the cat off. In order to properly get off the catalytic converter, the underpinnings are removed that are holding the cat in place.
However, it’s much quicker to just saw it off with a pipe saw, which is the preferred method for thieves.
For this reason, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and other types of vehicles that have higher ground clearance tend to be the most common victims of catalytic converter theft. The other types of vehicles that thieves target are those that they know have expensive cats installed.
The catalytic converter contains precious metals in it. Most catalytic converters contain rhodium, palladium, and platinum, which are all good to recycle in the yards.
The more precious metals that are contained in the catalytic converter, the more valuable it becomes. While the prices change quite a bit, they are always on the higher value side.
Some cats may only pay $50 at the recycling yards, while other catalytic converters may be worth $1,200 or more. Thieves who know what types to steal are educated thieves, and for a few minute’s work, it is easy money.
How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter
Replacing a catalytic converter isn’t cheap, and is unavoidable if you want to keep driving your vehicle. Rather than fretting about getting another catalytic converter, it would be prudent to protect the one that is currently on the vehicle.
Here are some suggestions to stop the cat from being tampered with.
- Park smart- Always Park the car or truck in a busy area (that is well-lit) and/or park the exhaust close to a wall to make it difficult for people to get underneath the vehicle. As a last resort, park the cat right over a muddy puddle.
- Use deterrents- There is equipment that you can install over the catalytic converter to keep it safe. These cages and antisiphon bars do not cost much to install, but will cost you a lot of money if you need to replace the catalytic converter. You could also install a security alarm that goes off if the vehicle is touched.
Depending on the age of the vehicle, the consequences of having the catalytic converter stolen could cost more than the vehicle is worth. For this reason, it is imperative to do whatever it takes to protect the cat.