Living in the Bay Area we all have heard about catalytic converter thefts, as the Bay Area favorite, Toyota Prius, is the prime target of the thieves. Now Carfax, a company where repair shops report auto repair data, estimated that in 2022 over 153,000 vehicles were targeted. Insurance companies reported only 52,000 claims for stolen catalytic converters – so why the discrepancy?
We thought about it and looking at the data at Toole’s Garage in San Carlos, we come to the conclusion that Carfax is right. We see a lot of vehicles with stolen catalytic converters that are older vehicles, without comprehensive insurance, so the owners pay out-of-pocket for the repairs – hence there is no report to the insurance company, but Carfax gets to count such cars in their statistics.
If you take into account that catalytic converters are often on back-order, meaning one has to wait for the manufacturer to deliver new ones, it makes sense that the number of catalytic converter thefts is much higher than indicated by the insurance industry numbers.
In the West, top 10 vehicles most targeted for catalytic converter theft are:
Since our San Carlos auto care facility can service and repair most of the makes and models currently on the roads, we have seen a fair share of vehicles that had catalytic converter stolen, and have extensive experience (unfortunately) not just in replacing the converters, but also repairing the damage that thieves cause to other parts of the vehicle – oxygen sensor is arguably the most frequent victim.
To prevent catalytic converter theft, we highly recommend parking your vehicle in the garage. If you must park outside, we recommend parking near a street light, and getting a catalytic converter shield installed – it is not a guarantee, but it does make stealing the catalytic converter much harder, louder, and more time consuming, so the thieves are likely to look for an easier target.
Call our San Carlos auto care shop to discuss how your car can be protected.
When it comes to wheel safety, lug nuts don’t always get the attention they deserve. These critical fasteners are what keep your wheels securely attached to your car, and they need to be tightened to a very specific level of force—known as torque. Get it wrong, and you're risking more than just a loose wheel.
Toole’s Garage is proud to announce opening of our Jackson, CA location - a family owned and operated full service auto repair shop that serves Jackson-Martell-Sutter Creek area.
It’s difficult to drive anywhere in the Bay Area and not see a lot of Subaru vehicles. Whether it’s the Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, Outback, Forester, or Ascend, Subaru vehicles are everywhere. At Toole’s Garage we are big Subaru fans.
Subaru vehicles are built for the great outdoors, and of course California provides plenty of opportunity for on-road and off-road adventures. All wheel drive (AWD) comes standard on many Subaru models, and can provide consistent traction whether you are on a muddy road, or skiing in the Sierras.
If a roof rack did not come standard with your model, it’s easy to add. And of course, interior space is pretty generous, especially if you drive an Outback or Ascent – you can stow plenty of camping and hiking gear.
At Toole’s Garage we can provide your Subaru with the maintenance it needs to provide you with a reliable ride – wherever your adventures take you. We highly recommend regular oil change – it not only improves performance and extends engine life, but it also allows us to inspect various sub-systems of your Subaru to catch any impending problems (for example, older Subaru models were prone to oil leaks). And if a long summer trip is in the cards, we definitely suggest bringing it in for a checkup.
Being a full service auto repair shop, Toole’s Garage can provide your Subaru with routine maintenance services, diagnostics, as well as major repairs. If your Subaru needs new brake pads, has the check engine light “on”, suffers from transmission problems, or needs major engine repairs – we can make your vehicle healthy again.
Whether you have owned your Subaru for a long time, or have recently acquired one, bring it to our San Carlos auto repair shop – we will keep your vehicle in peak condition. Call us to make an appointment, or you can make an appointment online, on our website.