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Catalytic converters are amazing devices that ensure your car does not pollute the environment with toxic exhaust emissions. When the exhaust gas goes through this component, it chemically reacts with metals like platinum to produce harmless gases. In other words, catalytic converters are very important devices that act as a line of defense against harmful emissions from the engine by turning toxic pollutants into harmless compounds.
Although most catalytic converters are built to last a lifetime, they can still fail over time. For instance, if unburnt gas coolant or motor oil gets into the catalytic converter, it can damage or even wear out. Below are five common causes that can make a catalytic converter go bad;
- Bad head gasket
- Use of leaded fuel
- Bad fuel injectors or weak ignition system
- Worn out exhaust valves
- High mileage
Besides these causes, your car's catalytic converter can be stolen because it contains very valuable metals such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
Why Are Many Prius Catalytic Converters Stolen?
Palladium is a precious metal, and its demand is not proportional to the supply. Thieves have discovered this and turned to steal the palladium from the converters for reselling. Theft instances continue to increase drastically as owners express their frustrations over thieves who have devised ways to quickly extract these catalytic converters in broad daylight in parking lots.
If you lose a catalytic converter through theft, it will cost you to replace it. It has been reported lately that these thefts have increased dramatically. To protect your catalytic converter, you can consider installing a cat shield.
What Is a Cat Shield?
A cat shield is a strong-build aluminum plate designed to deter catalytic converter theft. Due to compromise in quality, most reputable dealerships have taken it upon themselves to provide these cat shields.
Cat shields exist for different models, and as a Prius owner, you need to conduct in-depth research to settle on an understandable and best-fitting cat shield in the market. You can also contact your mechanic for professional help. Each cat shield has a unique design with particular specifications that fit a specific vehicle to provide maximum protection. The model you choose should feature security, quality, fitment, and convenience to achieve the intended function.
Prominent Features of the Cat Shield include;
- Made from aluminum that is light and convenient
- Has heat extraction holes that enable proper ventilation of the exhaust area.
- It's resistant to corrosion
- There is no welding required.
If you need a cat shield installed in your Prius, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today!