Everyone is looking to save a little money these days.

This is why you’re seeing more and more DIY projects emerge. If that sounds like you and you’ve been considering a car lockout kit, here are the advantages and disadvantages to owning one.

What Is a Car Lockout Kit?

In case you aren’t familiar, a car lockout kit is for exactly what it sounds like—helping you when you’re locked out of your car. You can find car lockout kits at most major big-box retailers or online websites and they’ll typically include a variety of items, such as trim removal tools, air wedge pumps and fastener removers. You can often find these kits for $100 or less, which makes them seem like an affordable solution. But are they?

Pros of Car Lockout Kits

They’re affordable and convenient, but car lockout kits also come with a few other benefits that make them appealing. These include:

• Effective: these kits usually include a wide variety of tools so you can try different reentry techniques.
• Convenient: you can use the kit immediately instead of waiting for emergency personnel or a professional locksmith. 
• Peace of mind: knowing you have a kit on hand will reduce stress, especially on long road trips.

Cons of Car Lockout Kits

What’s not to love about these kits? Well, there are some disadvantages to car lockout kits that most people don’t know about. These include:

• Damage: one of the biggest reasons to avoid a car lockout kit is the damage you could potentially do to your vehicle. You might break a window, locking mechanism or even the function of the door itself. (All of this can happen without unlocking the vehicle, too.)
• Limited: these kits don’t work on all vehicles, so it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to access the inside of your locked car again. Many people buy kits, don’t test them and then are frustrated that they don’t work in the moment of need.
• Safety: have you thought about where you’ll store the car lockout kit? It wouldn’t make sense to store in the vehicle and keeping it on you is inconvenient. Another disadvantage that these kits create by their existence is the fact that criminals can buy them just like you. So, if they’re effective for you, they’re effective for them.

We hope this information helps you understand the pros and cons of car lockout kits. If you have questions about automobile security or another security-related topic, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today!

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!

The modern vehicle is a marvel of technology, to be sure, but it still has a few areas where it’s defenseless. Here’s a locksmith’s perspective on reasons why your modern car might be vulnerable to criminals with bad intentions.

     1. Keys Fail

There are multiple types of auto keys – fobs, remotes, etc. – and all have the potential to break or fail. Batteries only last for so long and other issues can block the signal between your key and vehicle (which we’ll cover more below). The problem with many modern vehicles is they don’t have a backup/emergency key option in case the main key fails. When this happens, your vehicle is vulnerable to thieves, whether the car is running or not. (Also, looking for a backup key or attempting to enter your vehicle yourself can attract criminals, so be careful.)

     2. Technology Leads to Hackers

There never used to be a problem with email phishing scams before the invention of email. But now that it’s here, there are email-related security issues we have to deal with all of the time. The same goes for cars. Now that there is new technology being implemented, new criminal techniques are being adopted as well. The more technology your vehicle utilizes, the more opportunities hackers have to upload a virus, take control of the vehicle or get information.

     3. Signals Can Malfunction

As mentioned above, many key fobs or remotes communicate with your vehicle wirelessly. These transmissions or signals can get interrupted under the right conditions, such as computer interruptions, electronics failure or something physically getting in between the fob/remote and car. This is a bigger issue than you might think, as signal malfunctions can lead to disabled features and increased security risks.

     4. No Single Gatekeeper

One security risk many people don’t know about happens behind the scenes. You see, many modern vehicles utilize a variety of technologies. The problem? These are often separate technologies with different providers and were developed by different companies. As such, there’s no single gatekeeper in control to allow these technologies to communicate with each other seamlessly and enforce strict protocols. There’s no ideal solution for this area (other than interviewing the dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle to better understand the technology package), so just keep this area of automobile security in mind. 

If you’re interested in improving the security of your automobile, contact A-1 Locksmith today at (972) 284-7500 to go over your best options.

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.

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.