Toyota unveiled an all-new Prius in the United States featuring a striking design and enhanced performance. Yet one challenge remains constant: the catalytic converter, a highly coveted target for thieves.
That component houses precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which makes it especially valuable. Thieves have learned to detach it from the vehicle quickly, often in under a minute, raising the stakes for proper protection.
Many viewers assume all catalytic converters are similar since their primary job is to scrub exhaust gases of harmful chemicals. For years, however, the Prius and certain pickup models from Toyota, including the Tundra, have been frequent targets.
In response, Toyota offers a dealer-installed protective shield for this part, available at an additional cost. For buyers of the 2023 Prius, there is an option to pre-specify this protection when placing an order, and a similar choice exists for older Prius models along with popular models such as the Corolla, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner.
The shield is custom crafted from 5052 aluminum and fastened with specialized screws to maximize durability against tampering.
Although some thieves may opt to cut the housing rather than unscrew it, the protective option remains a deterrent. The housing is priced at $140, not including installation labor. With catalytic converters costing well over $1,000, many customers will see value in installing the shield for peace of mind and long-term savings.
A source [Source: motor1.com]
Images sourced from Depositphotos
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