Car Doctor: Can plates underneath a car help to prevent catalytic converter thefts?
Q: I've been reading a lot about catalytic converter thefts and how easy and fast it is. I have seen that some mechanics can put a plate underneath to prevent the theft or at least make it much harder and more time consuming to get to the exhaust system. I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix and my husband has a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Do you have any thoughts on these plates? Can it possibly cause some damage?
A: I have seen some of these plates and I have some concerns.
The catalytic converter, when operating normally, can reach temperatures of 600 to 900 degrees. When malfunctioning, it can reach temperatures in excess of 1,500 degrees. I’m concerned that these plates won’t allow adequate ventilation and that trapped heat could cause a fire.
Secondly, whenever you add a component to the car, you have altered how that car could perform in a crash.
I would follow the advice of the police: park in a garage if possible or in well-lit areas, install motion lights and alarms, and report any suspicious activity.
Q: I want to replace my 2004 GMC Yukon SUV. It has a high and low transfer case. My driveway is a steep gravel hill. In the winter, when it is very cold and icy, the Yukon's low range is very good at holding back the vehicle. How do the new SUVs with downhill assist compare with the high/low range to hold back? Not many new SUVs have the high/low transfer cases, and my hill can be slick. Any suggestions for a new vehicle?
A: I have driven many SUVs with hill descent control, and it truly works like cruise control for off-road travel.
I have used hill descent in sand, mud, snow and rocky terrain and found that it outperformed my novice off-road skills.
When it comes to ice, tires can make as much — and at times, more — of a difference than electronic technology.
Some SUVs do still have high and low range transfer cases and — when combined with hill descent control — make these vehicles quite formidable in poor weather.
Some that I was impressed with are the all-new Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Sequoia.
Q: I have a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. The rear liftgate chime stopped working. I can’t find where the part is located and how to replace it. I have what I think is the correct part number (55364517AC). I looked everywhere I could: YouTube, Google, chat rooms, and friends. I even spoke to the Jeep service department. They suggested I bring in the car, but I think I could do it myself to save some money. Plus, I just like tinkering around with things.
A: After doing some research, finding the part, and looking at the technical database — I use AllData — the chime is located in the rear liftgate.
The repair is not difficult, but I would buy some plastic trim tools to pry off the scuff plate and move the quarter panel trim away from the lower left inner D-pillar far enough to access the power liftgate chime. Now you should have access to the chime and wiring connector.
Have fun tinkering.
Q: I recently saw on the internet a spray-on product to clean headlights. Is it safe for my headlights to use this product? It is supposed to make the headlights clear and bright again.
A: The only products that I have used successfully to clean and polish headlight lenses use very fine sandpaper, polishing compound and ultraviolet sealer.
Some products use a buffing wheel or sanding disc to cut through the haze and then a polish to remove any fine scratches.
The key to using all of these abrasive products is to keep the surfaces wet to prevent accidently causing more damage to the plastic lens.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Car Doctor: Can plates help to prevent catalytic converter thefts?
