CAL Vehicle Entry Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tool is specifically designed to reach through the door frame to manipulate a vehicle's lock linkage?
- Slim Jim (Correct answer)
- Pick gun
- Plug spinner
- Tubular pick
Correct answer: Slim Jim
A Slim Jim is a thin metal tool inserted between the door glass and weather stripping to hook and move the lock linkage directly.
Question 2: When using an air wedge for vehicle entry, what is the primary purpose of the wedge?
- Create a gap between the door and frame for tool insertion (Correct answer)
- Shatter the window glass safely
- Pressurize the door lock mechanism
- Inflate the airbag system
Correct answer: Create a gap between the door and frame for tool insertion
An air wedge inflates inside the door gap to create enough space to insert a long-reach tool without damaging the vehicle.
Question 3: What is the main risk of using a Slim Jim on modern vehicles with electronic door locks?
- Damaging wiring harnesses or triggering the airbag system (Correct answer)
- Scratching the window glass
- Draining the vehicle battery
- Triggering the horn permanently
Correct answer: Damaging wiring harnesses or triggering the airbag system
Modern vehicles pack wiring for windows, locks, and airbags into the door cavity, making it easy to damage these components with a Slim Jim.
Question 4: A technician needs to enter a vehicle with a horizontal lock button recessed into the door panel. Which long-reach tool tip is most appropriate?
- L-shaped or J-hook tip (Correct answer)
- Straight rod tip
- Loop-wire tip
- Wedge tip
Correct answer: L-shaped or J-hook tip
An L-shaped or J-hook tip allows the technician to hook under or around a recessed horizontal button and pull it upward to unlock.
Question 5: What is 'through-the-door' entry technique primarily used for when other non-destructive methods fail?
- Inserting tools through a created gap in the door frame seal area (Correct answer)
- Drilling through the door skin
- Prying the door hinge
- Removing the door glass entirely
Correct answer: Inserting tools through a created gap in the door frame seal area
Through-the-door technique uses air wedges and long-reach tools inserted through a controlled gap in the door frame seal to manipulate the interior lock.
Question 6: Which vehicle entry method is considered non-destructive and leaves no trace of entry?
- Long-reach tool through an air-wedge gap (Correct answer)
- Breaking the door glass
- Drilling the lock cylinder
- Prying the door frame
Correct answer: Long-reach tool through an air-wedge gap
Using an air wedge and long-reach tool properly leaves no permanent damage to the vehicle when performed correctly.
Question 7: When performing vehicle entry on a truck cab with a horizontal sliding rear window, which entry approach may be most accessible?
- Accessing the interior through the unlocked or pickable sliding window latch (Correct answer)
- Drilling the ignition
- Using a Slim Jim on the rear door
- Decoding the door lock from outside
Correct answer: Accessing the interior through the unlocked or pickable sliding window latch
Sliding rear windows on truck cabs often have simpler latch mechanisms that can be manipulated to gain interior access more easily than the doors.
CAL Vehicle Entry Techniques 2
Which tool is specifically designed to reach through the door frame to manipulate a vehicle's lock linkage?