Locksmith Ledger

Keyless Ride Hotwire: PC-Based Key and Remote Programmer

The number of vehicles equipped with the transponder-based anti-theft system has been increasing dramatically. Soon, almost every new vehicle produced will have an engine immobilizer type system as standard. Even some motorcycles, large trucks and...

Article • December 1st, 2008

Tool Tips: Wedges, Picks and Shims

Make your own locksmithing tools and save some money

Article • December 1st, 2008

Ford Focus Facts from HPC

HPC recommends using under & over car-opening tools when servicing a lockout on a Ford Focus.

Article • November 1st, 2008

BigEasy Loop

Steck Manufacturing Company's new BigEasy Loop (P/N 32903) is a simple and inexpensive device to assist technicians using the BigEasy to open locked cars by grasping door handles and window cranks. The BigEasy Loop snaps onto any BigEasy Lockout Tool...

Product • October 23rd, 2008

Arm Yourself With The Right Lockout Tools and Technology

Why has the process of unlocking cars today changed so much in the last decade? The two biggest factors are crash safety and cost reduction.

Article • October 1st, 2008

HONDA LOCKS: Bad Design, Good For Locksmiths

Every Honda sidewinder lock on the road is a possible candidate for lock failure. Contact your local Honda and Acura dealers and see if you can’t get in on the action.

Article • August 1st, 2008

Buick Lucerne Servicing Guide: Part II

The Buick Lucerne was introduced in 2006 as a replacement for the LeSabre. Like the LeSabre, the Lucerne has become a favorite with the rental car companies, which can be real headache for locksmiths. General Motors and the other manufacturers sell...

Article • July 1st, 2008

New Automotive Key Blanks Bring Versatility

Manufacturers of aftermarket automotive transponder/electric key blanks are introducing significant numbers of key blanks and clonable key blanks that can be used on multiple automobile models. For example, the new Bianchi...

Article • July 1st, 2008

Beyond Cloning

Since original 1990s “read only” transponders have a life expectancy of many thousands of cycles, a metal key blade often wears out long before the chip. Thus, “less chip” transponder blanks and the original chip can keep the first...

Article • July 1st, 2008

Should You Specialize?

Whatever your niche, you need to be armed with specialized tools and equipment and, most importantly, specialized knowledge and training.

Article • June 1st, 2008

GENERAL MOTORS IGNITION LOCKS

Through the mid-1960s, General Motors divisions basically used two styles of the same in-dash ignition lock. For simplicity, I remember them as the concave and the “cowboy hat” models. For most applications they were interchangeable. Both styles...

Article • May 1st, 2008

Buick Lucerne Servicing Guide, Part 1

The Buick Lucerne (Photo 1) was introduced in 2006 as a replacement for the LeSabre. Like the LeSabre, the Lucerne has become a favorite with the rental car companies, which can be a real headache for locksmiths. General Motors and the other...

Article • May 1st, 2008

30 Under 30: Automotive Specialist Demetrius Heggs

For my second interview with a locksmith under 30 years old, I wanted to speak with Demetrius Heggs, owner of All City Locksmith in Philadelphia. He was 29 years old when I first approached him about the interview but I didn’t get to it until...

Article • May 1st, 2008

Ford Mustang Servicing Guide, Part 2

Part 1 of our Comprehensive Guide to the Ford Mustang addressed car opening, removing and disassembling the door lock, opening the trunk, removing and disassembling the deck lock and the glove box lock. (See February 2008 issue of Locksmith Ledger...

Article • March 1st, 2008

Automotive Update: Encrypted Technology News

Bianchi is recalling and replacing TK30 chips with the new TK40, the next generation of the Electronic Crypto Chip. The TK40 chip will also allow locksmiths to program the new Ford remote head keys.

Article • March 1st, 2008

Automotive Locksmithing

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