WHY THEY'RE TARGETED

Any suspicious sound coming from a vehicle is usually enough to cause drivers concern. So if you turn the key and are greeted with a loud growling roar, you'll know right away that something is wrong.

This unsettling din may indicate that your catalytic converter has been stolen. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of catalytic converters reported stolen each year grew from 3,246 in 2008 to 3,986 in 2015. Between 2008 and 2015, at least 25,394 of these components were removed from vehicles; the number is likely much higher, since the figure only reflects insured losses.

The theft of a catalytic converter not only increases the chances of engine damage, but can also be expensive to replace. To avoid this hassle, you can take steps to better secure your vehicle and this component.

The catalytic converter is part of your vehicle's exhaust system. According to the Automobile Association, an English organization, catalytic converters use chemical reactions to reduce the severity of the emissions generated by the engine. The device can oxidize materials to produce carbon dioxide and water rather than more harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, while also removing oxygen from some substances such as nitrogen oxides.

To achieve this process, catalytic converters use certain precious metals such as palladium, platinum, or rhodium. The NICB says these metals can garner hundreds of dollars per component when turned in at a recycling center or scrapyard.

Thieves can also remove a catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute, allowing them to collect several in the course of a day. SUVs and other vehicles with more clearance are targeted more often, since it is easier for a thief to access the undercarriage. Catalytic converters are also frequently stolen from vehicle dealerships, commuter lots, and other areas with a high concentration of vehicles.

The costs involved in a catalytic converter theft may not be limited to replacing the component. Tom Moor, writing for Angie's List, says thieves may not make the neatest cuts when removing the component. In the process, they may damage an oxygen sensor or other parts of your vehicle, leading to higher repair costs.

Catalytic converter theft is fairly rare in this area. According to the NICB, 268 of the components were stolen between 2008 and 2015. In Rhode Island, 46 thefts were reported during this period. By contrast, California had the most catalytic converter thefts at 8,072, with Texas a distant second at 1,705.

Still, common sense steps will help guard your catalytic converter against theft. Some of these actions will also reduce the risk of other malfeasance, such as vehicle break-ins.