From locking the doors to parking in well-lit areas, here are some general best practices for keeping your car safe in Dallas.

Lock Doors and Windows

Back to basics! Get into the habit of locking all doors and windows whenever you’re out and about in Dallas (or at home, for that matter). Folks from smaller towns might be used to lower crime and not having to worry about their vehicles, but in large metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, making a mistake here can have consequences.

Ditch the Spare Key

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to rely on your spare key in situations when you’ve lost your key or locked it in the car. Key fobs are rising in popularity these days, as many of them won’t let your vehicle lock while the key is inside. There are also digital and combination entry methods available, but the fact is, a spare key is a liability to your vehicle’s security.

Park in Well-Lit Areas

Traffic may not be popular in North Texas, but it’s a good thing when it comes to parking your vehicle. When you park in an area with proper lighting and regular foot or automobile traffic, it decreases your chances of being a victim. Thieves don’t like being seen!

Invest in Automobile Security Upgrades

Alarms and other anti-theft devices can be a smart upgrade if you work or live in an area of Dallas with higher crime. Or, if you’ve experienced your fair share of automobile security issues, this can save you some headaches down the road. A professional auto locksmith can give you recommendations to secure your specific vehicle. 

Stay Vigilant

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do when it comes to vehicle safety is stay defensive. This applies to when you’re driving, but also applies to where you park, what you leave in your car and how you treat others on the road. Stay vigilant when it comes to your automobile and you’ll avoid many security problems that others experience.

For the best auto locksmith in Dallas, trust A-1 Locksmith. Contact us for a quote today!

If you’re considering a New Year’s Resolution in 2021, instead of focusing on losing weight or saving money, why not improve your automobile security instead? Here are a few ways Dallas residents can do just that.

1. Lock Your Car

This may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised how many people leave their cars unlocked. Thieves target unlocked cars in Fort Worth, Dallas and other suburbs of North Texas, so you want to make sure your car is locked at all times, even if you’re at home.

2. Be Smart About Parking

We all love Dallas-Fort Worth, but certain parts of town are riskier than others when it comes to property crime. Be careful about where you park and choose a secure parking garage if it’s available. If you do park on the street, make sure it’s in a well-lit area. 

3. Upgrade Your Keys

Still using a basic set of car keys? Consider upgrading to a laser-cut or high-security key. These types of keys are more difficult to duplicate and can be made for any car or truck. Just make sure you go to a professional auto locksmith in Dallas instead of a dealer if you want to save some money.

4. Replace Your Remote

While you’re at it, why not replace your remote as well? You can also program a new remote to your vehicle if you don’t have one. With a remote, you can lock and unlock doors from across the parking lot, open the trunk or set off the alarm (if you have one).

5. Install Vehicle Tracking

There are a variety of car-tracking devices available today that utilize GPS technology. This lets you track where your vehicle is at all times and can even give you a discount on your insurance rates. Either sign up for a vehicle-tracking service or buy a standalone device for your car.

6. Add An Alarm

Alarms are another good way to deter criminals. If your vehicle doesn’t have an alarm system, consider adding one. You can do it yourself or purchase a professional installation.
If you’re interested in more ways to improve your automobile security, give us a call today or stop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations.

Locksmith companies are the same way.

If you think all locksmiths in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are similar, think again. Pricing, services, experience, professional associations, ratings and other factors can vary. Let’s discuss why each of these are important so you can choose the best Dallas auto locksmith the next time you need one.

Factors That Separate Dallas Auto Locksmiths

With phones, you can compare different features like camera quality, storage capabilities and visual appeal. But what factors do you look at when it comes to Dallas-Fort Worth automobile locksmith companies? Here are a few to consider:

• Pricing: Is one company more affordable than another?
• Services: Does the company specialize in one type of service or do they offer several?
• Convenience: Is there only a brick-and-mortar location or do they offer mobile services?
• Experience: How many years of experience does the company (and team members) have?
• Professional associations: Are they members of any professional groups or associations?
• Ratings: What do their online ratings and reviews look like?
• Warranties and guarantees: Do they back up their work with any warranties or guarantees?
• Customer service: How do technicians and customer service reps treat you? Are they friendly?

Why Choose A-1 Locksmith for Your Car or Truck

At A-1 Locksmith, we’re the Dallas auto locksmith you can trust. We’ve been voted the No. 1 Locksmith in Dallas by residents for three years in a row, beating out 30 other companies in the area to take the title. Here are a few reasons why we’re the best:

• Our prices are fair, affordable and given to you in the form of an estimate beforehand
• We offer several different types of auto locksmithing services, from emergency lockouts to lock repair and rekeying or key duplication
• We offer both mobile locksmith services and 10 DFW retail locations
• We’ve been serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for more than 65 years
• We’re members of the Safe & Vault Technicians Association, ALOA Security Professionals Association and Texas Locksmiths Association
• We have a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 7,000+ user reviews
• We guarantee most of our work and offer warranties on many of our products
• Our technicians and customer services reps put the customer first and it shows in each and every interaction

If you’re in need of Dallas auto locksmithing services, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at 972-284-7500.

One of those components is keys. Did you know that there is more than one type of car key? From mechanical and self-programmable to transponder and laser-cut, there are a variety of different keys out there that can be used for automotive rekeying. Part of the reason for this is functional; part of the reason is preference. Either way, let’s take a closer look at seven of the most popular types of car keys to see why they’re out there.

Mechanical Keys

These keys used to be prevalent in most cars, but that’s no longer the case. Mechanical keys instead show up more often as house keys, locker keys and other basic devices. You likely won’t find a mechanical key for a car unless it’s a basic or older model (or to access the door or trunk only). Why? They don’t include electronic components that the car uses to confirm the key is valid.

Programmable Remotes

Programmable remotes (or self-programmable as they’re more often called) aren’t really keys. Instead, they’re buttons that you use to lock your car, unlock your car, sound the alarm and/or open the trunk. Using special equipment, a locksmith or dealer can program one of these remotes to your vehicle to your vehicle and replace or duplicate them if necessary. As a bonus, the best automotive locksmiths guarantee their programmed keys to work and may even include a 90-day warranty.

Transponder Keys

These are the most common car keys you’ll see out there. Transponder keys are like mechanical keys, but they have electronic components in the head that communicate with the car to confirm that the key is valid. Like remotes, these keys need to be programmed to the vehicle in order to start it, so they usually require the assistance of a locksmith or dealership.

Laser-Cut Transponder Keys

Think of laser-cut transponder keys as transponder keys with a bit of extra security. These are laser-cut to exact specifications and require extensive knowledge of rekeying and locksmithing. A locksmith who specializes in automotive rekeying can often make laser-cut keys for a lot less than you’d pay at the dealership.

Remote/Key Combos

These are also more and more common these days. Remote/key combos are exactly what they sound like: a combination remote and key. You have the security of the key being programmed to your car, but the convenience of choosing between the button or key to access it.

Proximity FOBs

One of the newer car access options, proximity keys or FOBS look like remotes (and may even have buttons on them), but they can actually start the car or unlock the doors when you’re near the vehicle. You may need help replacing one of these if the battery dies, or you may just want to upgrade a basic key to a proximity FOB.

Tibbe Keys

Finally, Tibbe keys are unique in that they can’t be duplicated by anyone except a dealer or locksmith. Furthermore, they’re limited to certain types of vehicles, such as Ford and Jaguar. But they’re common enough to make it on our list.

Need your automobile rekeyed? Or perhaps you just need an extra set of keys for your car? Give us a call at 972-284-7500 and we’ll get you taken care of today.

Don’t Leave Enticement in Plain Sight

Step one to avoiding damage to your vehicle is to not go out of your way to make it appealing to would-be thieves.  Laptops, phones, chargers and purses left on the seat in plain sight seem like easy pickings for a quick smash and grab or an extra bonus to someone looking for the best target in a parking lot.  Stash these items away in the trunk or under the seat and avoid setting yourself up for failure. Better yet, take your valuables with you.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Another easy way to protect your automobile is to be judicious in your selection of a parking space.  While that dark, unlit, narrow alley may seem like a convenient spot to park to avoid the mad mall rush, it’s probably not the best for automobile safety.  Well-lit and crowded areas will deter thieves who are leery of being caught in the act.  Walking a few more steps to your destination is not only good for your health, it can protect your call as well.

Engage That Security System

Many cars, late-model or not, have theft deterrence features built in. This may have been an afterthought in your review of the car in favor of your interest in the entertainment system, but your owner’s manual likely points to a vehicle security system.  So why is it, then, that most people are not aware of these features or choose not to engage them if they are?  Built-in security features differ by make and model, so please reference your owner’s manual for specifics. Whether you have a chip you can remove or an option on your key FOB, you’ll want to learn what it is and you’ll want to use it.

Know Where Your Vehicle Is at all Times

Speaking of security systems, why not take advantage of everything modern technology has to offer when it comes to protecting your vehicle.  GPS location is more common and affordable now than you might realize.  Know where your car is located in the event of a theft which can help the police locate the criminal and your property before it’s too late.

Active Security Solutions

Speaking of security, car security systems have come a long way from the days of obnoxious alarms that most people end up ignoring anyways.  Chip keys keep the engine from turning over unless the proper device is placed in the ignition.  Active security systems also disable the engine in the event of the alarm being tripped.  Others operate along the lines of home alarms and alert the appropriate authorities in the event they are triggered.

From preventative measure to proactive security solutions, car owners in need of security tips, guidance or systems should call A-1 Locksmith to discuss protecting their vehicular investment.  A few minutes and dollars spent up front can help avoid a big loss and can keep you on the road and on the go.