Prius catalytic converter
If you’ve got comprehensive insurance on your Prius, then not to worry because according to Car Insurance 101,īecause the catalytic converter is part of the vehicle that’s permanently installed, its theft will be covered under the vehicle’s comprehensive coverage.
You might get away with swapping in a pair of CARB approved universal cats, but that requires exhaust work. Toyota is the only California-compliant seller of 50-state legal Toyota Prius Catalytic converters.Ĭheck out some screenshots of what used Prius cats are selling for on eBay and what a new one from Toyota will run you. If you don’t live in California, you can easily buy a brand new catalytic converter for a couple hundred bucks.īut, if you DO live in Commiefornia, like Julian, the only recourse is either swapping in a cheaper used one found on eBay, Craigslist, or a re-seller, or you have to go to Toyota. That’s admittedly on the higher end if you live in California. As mentioned, with the exhaust gases not reaching the aptly called mufflers, a cut between the front exhaust manifold and the rear muffler housing means your Prius will sound like a tiny tractor. While it might sound quiet, that 1.5L four-cylinder under the hood is still firing off, making exhaust gases like any other car. This generation Prius pairs the same engine, a 1.5L 1NZ found in a similar year Toyota Echo, Scion Xa/Xb, and even in some global model Toyota Corollas, to an electric motor subsequently powered by a 1.3 kWh battery (that doesn’t need recharging.) Both work together thanks to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Most states require buyers to record some form of identification from the seller and may have a cap on payments.īecause catalytic converters aren't stamped with vehicle identification numbers, identifying stolen components sold for scrap is difficult.Just because it’s a Prius doesn’t mean Toyota hasn’t stuffed some special engine under the hood, far from it. During the 2019-2020 period, the data shows a rise in claims between $2,501 and $3,000, typically the amount it costs to replace a catalytic converter and exhaust system with the deductible subtracted.īulk scrap buyers with the equipment necessary for processing the metals from components have boomed as prices have risen. While specific vehicle components reported stolen aren't included in the HLDI database, extrapolations can be made from the dollar values in typical claims. A similar converter found in the model's third generation nets around $548. Recent upgrades in fuel economy standards have also created the need for more precious metals within catalytic converters.Īccording to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts have risen from 100 reported incidents per month in 2018 to 1,200 a month in 2020.ĭata available from marketplace website shows that the average scrap price for a GD3+EA6 catalytic converter found in a second-generation Prius is $1,022. Precious metals price increases are due to low mining production in recent years, with the pandemic heightening the trend. More precious metals are needed for a hybrid's catalytic converter because of the hybrid engine's heat demands. Prii's catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, palladium and other precious metals that have risen in price recently.
PRIUS CATALYTIC CONVERTER DRIVERS
Read more Mercedes-Benz, IBM Team Up to Help Drivers Recover Stolen Cars