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Right? Why don’t we all have our catalytic converters digitally paired with the Engine Control Unit iPhone-style? Is it the manufacturer’s fault for not doing t

Right? Why don’t we all have our catalytic converters digitally paired with the Engine Control Unit iPhone-style? Is it the manufacturer’s fault for not doing that? Heck, just like an iPhone, let’s have all parts on a car from the headlamps to the door handles to the mirrors digitally paired together. That would stop theft, and any car maker who doesn’t do it is encouraging theft.

shagie 4y ago
That doesn't quite follow as the catalytic converter is melted down for its metals rather than used as is. As to "all the parts on a car paired" - there is VIN etching. https://www.allstate.com/resources/allstate/attachments/tools-and-resources/vin-etching-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.allstate.com/resources/allstate/attachments/tool... The audio system has some semblance of paring. Though with he KIA, this is more often dealing with use (e.g. joy riding) of the car rather than reselling it.
- LgWoodenBadger 4y ago
  Melted down? More likely they're sold to questionable "remanufacturers"
  - shagie 4y ago
    Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring - https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-takedown-nationwide-catalytic-converter-theft-ring https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-... // https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33444851 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33444851 (405 points // 468 comments) > Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown today of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars. > ... > They knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters and, through a “de-canning” process, extracted the precious metal powders from the catalytic core. DG Auto sold the precious metal powders it processed from California and elsewhere to a metal refinery for over $545 million. Ok, not quite melted down, but reduced to rather base components. They are not reused in the same form.

shagie 4y ago

That doesn't quite follow as the catalytic converter is melted down for its metals rather than used as is. As to "all the parts on a car paired" - there is VIN etching. https://www.allstate.com/resources/allstate/attachments/tools-and-resources/vin-etching-fact-sheet.pdf https://www.allstate.com/resources/allstate/attachments/tool... The audio system has some semblance of paring. Though with he KIA, this is more often dealing with use (e.g. joy riding) of the car rather than reselling it.

LgWoodenBadger 4y ago
Melted down? More likely they're sold to questionable "remanufacturers"
- shagie 4y ago
  Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring - https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-takedown-nationwide-catalytic-converter-theft-ring https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-... // https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33444851 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33444851 (405 points // 468 comments) > Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the United States executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown today of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars. > ... > They knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters and, through a “de-canning” process, extracted the precious metal powders from the catalytic core. DG Auto sold the precious metal powders it processed from California and elsewhere to a metal refinery for over $545 million. Ok, not quite melted down, but reduced to rather base components. They are not reused in the same form.