How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

In this video I teamed up with Cap City Muffler to share with you their CAT Security™ system for my 2004 Honda Element. They have many other systems available for other vehicles that you can check out here.

Here are the PDF Instructions for the kit I installed. Can you spot my mistake in the video? (Scroll down to the bottom for the Element Instructions)

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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[daddynichol]

"Not reading instructions before installation." A true hallmark of a real car guy. It's in the DNA.

[badasssalsa]

I'm in Phoenix AZ. A friend had her Cat stolen from her 07' Element a month ago. I had never heard of this craze. I have an 03' & 04'. At 430am this morning I heard a very loud sound right in front of my house that's In a cul de sac. My Elements are parked in a covered patio. After 5 seconds of loud noise I opened the front door to see a truck and some guy near the Element furthest from me. He jumped in his truck. He only cut halfway through the first cut. My cameras didn't pick-up anything. I ran out the house naked holding my nut sack Screaming MFr! Lessons learned; 1. Get two of these kits. 2. Get more cameras.3. Sleep with shorts on. Much gratitude to our Phoenix Police department. They were here in a couple minutes.

[johnbowen]

So, if you wanted to really cut down on these thefts you need to go to the recyclers that are paying them. No metal head tweaker should have 40 catalytic converters.

[mishaps]

Finally found this guy, when I was in Juvenile Hall they had Galaxy tablets with this guys videos on there. I watched all of em. They were all of his earliest videos. Been looking for this channel for a while, but couldn’t remember the name. It’s crazy how long you been doing this man. Keep it up

[paulparoma]

Eric, I must say of all the star mechanics on YT, you certainly take the lead in the way you present your material and use the English language. Always a pleasure to watch your excellent videos.

[jamxtube]

I own a 2003 EX which I bought new. My catalytic converter has bee stolen twice. The last time cost my insurance company $4000.00 thru the Honda dealership. I was surprised that they didn’t just total the vehicle. I ended up interviewing a few muffler shops about their ideas to fabricate a protective cover. I made my choice and so far, after two years, no problems. The reality is, if a thief is given enough time, they can cut thru just about anything. My job, was to make it a hassle not worth the trouble to even begin to cut.

[SkinAgingSolutions]

My catalytic converter was stolen from my 2014 Kia, Sportage three days ago. Although my auto insurance covered the theft, the replacements costed approximately $1600 for the catalytic converter and $459 for the damage caused to the part removing the catalytic converter. Repairs were done at the Kia dealership. Also, I had to rent a car for two days and my deductible was $1, 000. This theft incident was devastating. Every automobile owner should get a catalytic converter theft protector installed.

[MajorWeakness]

My daughter at college just told me 15 school vans all had the converters stolen yesterday! I sent her this video to show the college.

[berryblack]

i was taking forever to cross reference those sensor between honda and denso. Eric, you’re my hero.

[juakaliautomotive]

I live/work in Northern CA and Cat theft is on the rise here in a big way...it seems like it had all but disappeared for years around here, but over the last month or so there have been several thefts in my town alone (60, 000 residents approx) -- I've personally had three come thru the shop for replacement following theft just this month! Just some FYI for your CA viewers.

This is a solid idea/product so thanks for the video...I love it!

[ReadySetElement]

By far the best Cat sheild I have seen. Not even the one we have comes close to that one. Well done video Eric always enjoy your content 🤙

[GymmyS]

Just found that the company that makes the Cat Security systems is about 4 minutes from my home. There are constant reports of Cat thefts and arrests in our area. Usually Prius and Nissan NV200 vehicles. Eye opening. Thanks for another great video, Eric!

[dappermanphoto]

It's always good to see a local company popping up on big YouTube channels

[charlesparker]

Eric, thank you for the time and information you put into these videos.
Because of this video, I went ahead and purchased one of these cat guards.
Looking forward to installing it with the instructions you have provided.
Thanks again. 😎

[thhall]

The main thing I got out of this was the nut-cert (which I'd never heard of before). Mental note made for future use. Thank you!

[paulvanier]

Got my cat. stolen yesterday on my Honda element 2008, it cost me $1535 to replace, I am buying one of those kit; thieves who are looking for cat. are most likely not looking for anything else on old cars; so it is a very good deterrent.

[IamIzayis]

My dad made a custom caged cover for his old van years ago... there were a few times someone drilled into his gas tank to steal gas... so he added a thick outer plate underneath to hopefully prevent this from happening again. As long as he made it difficult for them to drain directly into a container they weren’t gonna try

[ganeshnarayan]

Hey Eric thanks for showing this product over here in California lot of thieves are out here for Catalytic Converter.

[pshort]

Had both my converters stolen from my 06' Tundra. A chain pipe cutter made it easy & likely took no more than a couple minutes. It cost several thousand to replace. Insurance covered it. I welded rebar to all the exhaust pipe & this stopped them when they tried again. Super cheap. Protect your cats any way you can.

[davidleong]

I’ve welded 2 Braided metal rope cable twisting on the pipes which burns out sawzaw blades thus slowing down thieves… also painted the cable and pipe day-glow paint so thieves will ID and “see it” quickly thus move onto an easier victim.