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How to Pay for a Catalytic Converter Shield

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Catalytic Converter Shield

Protect your car from theft by bundling a security shield with your next service and spreading the $450 cost over 15 months.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $450 before anything else
Across the 0% window $30.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $450 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Owning a car is mostly just a series of small, expensive surprises. Between the gas and the insurance, you are already out a few hundred bucks a month. The price of keeping a car on the road is usually lowest in the late summer when shops are slow and looking for work. That is when you should handle the upgrades you have been putting off.

Negotiating the price of a car is one thing, but maintenance is a different game. You can usually talk down the labor if you are smart about timing. Financing the whole car on a credit card is a bad move, but using a card for a specific security upgrade like a shield makes sense if you have a plan to pay it off.

This 15-month window is a firm cutoff. If you still have a balance when the 15 months end, the interest rate will jump to the standard high rate. This is not free money; it is a short-term loan that requires you to be disciplined with your monthly payments.

The steps

  1. 01

    Bundle the labor

    Do not go to the shop just for the shield. Wait until you need an oil change or a tire rotation. Since the car is already on the lift, the mechanic can bolt the shield on in a few minutes, which usually lowers the labor fee.

  2. 02

    Buy the part yourself

    Shops often mark up the price of parts by 20% or more. Look for a bolt-on shield that fits your specific year and model online. If you bring the box with you, you only pay the shop for their time.

  3. 03

    Finance the upgrade

    Put the $450 cost on the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover). This card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. APR is the annual percentage rate, or the interest you pay on the balance. If you pay $30 every month, you will finish just as the window closes.

  4. 04

    Skip the welding

    Avoid shields that require custom welding. They take longer to install and cost more in labor. A bolt-on version is just as frustrating for a thief but much faster for your mechanic to install.

  5. 05

    Verify the fit

    Before you leave the shop, have the mechanic show you the shield on the lift. Make sure it does not touch the exhaust pipe directly. If it is too close, it will rattle every time you idle, which is a pain to fix later.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Can I install this shield myself?

You can if you have jack stands and basic tools. It is a cramped job on your back, so most people pay a shop about $100 to $150 to handle the labor while doing other maintenance.

Will this lower my car insurance?

Usually it will not change your premium. It just protects you from having to pay a high deductible if your converter is stolen. It is a one-time cost to avoid a much bigger bill later.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment can end your 0% intro period early. Set up an automatic payment for $30 so you do not forget. You want to keep the balance at zero before the interest starts kicking in.

Does a shield make the car 100% safe?

No, but it makes the job take much longer. Most thieves want to be gone in under 60 seconds. If they see a metal plate and bolts, they will usually move on to an easier target.