Watch A Subaru Door Lock Picked In Under Five Minutes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car theft sucks. No matter how you look at it, having a very expensive thing such as a vehicle stolen is always going to be a bad time. Especially if someone depends on their car to get to work or ferry around loved ones. That is why car owners tend to take at least a few precautions to prevent or deter theft.

Consumers will try everything from special steering wheel locks to installing secret “kill” switches and other anti-theft gadgets. Some of those things do the job of deterring theft, but they do not do much to stop someone from entering the vehicle and stealing any belongings that are inside.

What are most vunerable to car theft?

2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody | Stellantis

Some cars make a more attractive target for thieves than others. It can be difficult to know which cars are more likely to be stolen than others without proper research. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Dodge Chargers and Dodge Challengers are some of the most likely targets for car theft.

This is primarily due to the fact that they are cool cars, and they also happened to have a significant flaw that makes them so easy to steal that thieves do not even need the key. However, some cars are a bit more difficult for thieves to breach. It may sound surprising to some, but it appears that the 2010 Subaru Impreza is not a particularly easy car to get into. Even for the experienced.

The Lock Picking Lawyer

YouTuber "Lock Picking Lawyer" using a special took to pick a Subaru car door lock.
Using a special tool to pick a car door lock | Lock Picking Lawyer YouTube

Equally intriguing as terrifying, the Lock Picking Lawyer is YouTuber and an expert-level lock picking technician (who also happens to be a lawyer) and regularly demonstrates just how easy common locks are to defeat. Some of his videos are just as funny as they are frightening. For example, in one video, he opens a gun safe using only an empty plastic orange juice bottle. In another video, he manages to open a fire safe with a coat hanger. Generally, the Lock Picking Lawyer manages to defeat most locks in less than a minute.

Recently, he decided to test his skill on a car door lock. It’s not just any lock, but the door lock from a 2010 Subaru Impreza. Some might think a small compact Japanese car would be an easier car theft target than a large, expensive American performance car. According to his latest video, those people would be technically wrong.

Picking a Subaru Impreza door lock in under five minutes

The Lock Picking Lawyer sourced a door lock from a 2010 Subaru Impreza (don’t ask us how he got it) and placed it in a vice to attempt to pick it. However, this video is not meant to be a lesson in car theft. The purpose of the experiment was to show that inexperienced lock pickers can sometimes find themselves in a bind if they are unprepared.

Specifically, the Subaru Impreza door lock has a function in which if the lock is picked; it seizes up. The Lock Picking Lawyer can get around this, but it takes him much longer than his usual lock picking attempts. He eventually gets the lock picked and returns it to normal in less than five minutes using a specialized tool.

Considering how much trouble this lock gave him, perhaps we should all be using Subaru locks to protect our belongings? Either way, we always recommend taking as many precautions as possible to avoid car theft, and that includes not leaving anything valuable in your car when parked. Though, if you happen to own a Subaru, you might have a little more protection than others.

RELATED: Can an Engine Immobilizer Really Prevent Car Theft?

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Bob Vila: Why Mulching Leaves with a Lawn Mower Is Better Than Raking Them

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The first day of fall is just around the corner. With that season change comes a few annual yard maintenance tasks. For many renters and homeowners, one of those yearly tasks includes clearing their yard of leaves. Typically, that task is done with a rake. But, if we’re honest, raking leaves is back-breaking work. The good news is that, according to Bob Vila, mulching leaves with a lawn mower is much better than raking them and can even improve the health of your lawn.

Is it better to mulch leaves or bag them?

When it comes to clearing your yard of fallen leaves, you’ve got a couple of options. First, you could grab a rake from your garage and start raking those leaves into a pile. Once you’ve cleared your yard of leaves and have raked together a decently sized pile, you can throw those leaves in a bag and call it a day.

Your second option includes mulching leaves with a lawn mower. In fact, when it comes to the do’s and don’ts of raking leaves, Bob Vila says that mulching leaves with a lawn mower can improve the overall health of your lawn. Additionally, mulching leaves with a lawn mower can save you time and effort. So if you’d like to skip the rake? You can do so with confidence, knowing that it is better to mulch leaves than bag them.

Mulching leaves is good for the environment too

Landfill | LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Mulching leaves won’t just improve the health of your lawn. It’s also good for the environment. In fact, mulching leaves with a lawn mower reduces landfill space, Fairway Green Professional Lawn Service reports. It also prevents leaves from clogging sewers, which can cause algae blooms in the water.

“Fallen leaves offer a double benefit,” added National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski. “Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down. Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own?”

What is the best way to mulch leaves with a lawn mower?

Mulching leaves with a red lawn mower
Mulching Leaves | Getty Images

Mulching leaves is better than bagging them. It can not only improve the health of your lawn but is also good for the environment. At this point, you’re probably asking, what’s the best way to mulch leaves with a lawn mower? Well, Bob Vila has got you covered.

1. Leave a thin layer of leaves on your lawn. Regardless of what type of lawn mower you own, chances are it’s capable of mulching leaves. Once you have your lawn mower out, Bob Vila suggests adjusting the height of it. Bob Vila added that the best lawn mower height for mulching leaves would be your mower’s highest setting. Once your mower is at its highest checking, confirm a thin layer of leaves on your lawn. You can mulch up to 6 inches of leaves at once.

2. Mulch fallen leaves into dime sizes. Once the leaves are spread in a thin layer across your yard, it’s time to mulch them. Simply mow the lawn, just as you would on a typical day. However, be sure to make multiple passes until the fallen leaves are about the size of a dime.

3. Mulch leaves every week. Depending on how many fallen leaves you have in your yard, Bob Vila recommends mulching leaves every week. Doing so will not only save you time but will further improve the health of your lawn. 

How to mulch leaves without a lawn mower

Perhaps you don’t own a lawn mower. The good news is that there are alternatives to lawn mowers. In fact, according to Bob Vila, there are several additional options. Take, for example, a stand-alone mulcher. This device is built specifically for mulching and looks and functions similarly to a wood chipper. You might also consider using a weed whacker to mulch leaves.

Raking leaves is back-breaking work; mulch them with a lawn mower instead

No one wants to spend hours on end doing yard maintenance. That’s especially true when it comes to raking leaves. Fortunately, there are several benefits to mulching leaves with a lawn mower instead. It will not only help improve the health of your lawn but is also good for the environment. What’s not to like about that?

RELATED: Is a Push Mower or a Riding Lawn Mower Best for Mowing Your Lawn?

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5 Fall Drives to Take in Massachusetts

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As the capital of Massachusetts, Boston has plenty of history. The city was founded nearly 400 years ago, and the streets certainly have character. For a city that existed almost three centuries before cars were invented, Bostonians have done a solid job of adapting the nation’s 21st-most populous city to motor vehicles. But Boston isn’t the only attraction in the Bay State. If you love driving, the more rural areas of Massachusetts offer some of the most beautiful fall drives.

Foliage drives

Motorcyclists travel the Mount Greylock Scenic Byway in rural Massachusetts | John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

Foliage drives are a great way to experience the outdoors without leaving your car. In areas that experience dramatic changes in spring and autumn, a foliage drive is an exciting and educational way to spend an afternoon. In areas of the country that have to contend with harsh winters, the fall colors can be a sight to see beforehand. 

With help from Only In Your State and Boston Magazine, we’ve compiled a list of the top foliage drives in Massachusetts:

1. The Mohawk Trail (Route 2)

The Mohawk Trail runs from Greenfield to Williamstown in Massachusetts. You can comfortably drive this 42-mile route in only a couple of hours. The biggest attraction on the Mohawk Trail is the Bridge of Flowers.

In Shelburne Falls, about 10 miles into the drive from Greenfield, you can spot seasonal flowers blooming across the bridge at the right time of year. However, New England weather means the bridge is open only from April to October. Just watch out for falling leaves!

2. Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway

Running from Russell to Lee, Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway starts a few miles from Highway 90 (Massachusetts Pike) and ends nearly parallel with the highway as it winds west. Along the byway, you’ll spot keystone arches built before the Civil War. Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway combines nature and architecture in a way that few other drives do.

3. Mount Greylock Scenic Byway

If you’re interested in viewing Massachusetts from 3,500 feet of elevation without undertaking an exhausting climb, Mount Greylock Scenic Byway is the perfect option. The road climbs to the mountain’s summit, and the treeline is visible without leaving the car. The route is only 16 miles long one way, making it a great choice to spend an hour or two.

4. Essex Coastal Scenic Byway

The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway winds along the coast and passes through New England’s largest salt marsh. It also passes through the town of Essex and features the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Celebrating one of America’s most prominent shipbuilding towns, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway takes drivers from Lynn to Salisbury and spans about 90 miles. You can expect to make the trip in about three hours at a leisurely pace.

5. The Connecticut River Valley Byway

Celebrating New England’s pastoral history, the Connecticut River Valley Byway cuts through some of Massachusetts’ biggest agricultural and farming attractions. The Hadley Farm Museum is a fun attraction to learn more about New England’s farming history, but plan your drive accordingly — the museum is open only from 2 to 4 p.m. on the weekends.

The Connecticut River Valley Byway begins at the MA 116/MA 47 intersection in South Hadley and travels all the way into New Hampshire and Vermont. The entire route stretches over 400 miles, but the Massachusetts section is enough to spend a day exploring.

RELATED: The Best Scenic Drives for Leaf-Peeping In the Northeast

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Is Mudding Safe?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Off-roading adventures such as mudding can provide plenty of fun, but they can also be dangerous if you don’t practice car safety rules. Gathering all the necessary equipment, checking the area thoroughly, and having communication devices handy are great ways to stay safe on the trail. But sometimes, accidents still happen. 

Mudding, a type of off-roading activity, can be dangerous to people and the environment. Why is it so popular, and is mudding safe?

A 4×4 Ford Explorer SUV crashed into a tree while mudding | NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Off-roading is one of the most popular sport-like activities. Along with riding on rocky or sandy terrain, some of these vehicles boast enough power to plow through muddy areas, some quite deep. 

The thrill of smashing through mud and steering the vehicle to safer land brings some adventurists immense fun. What makes this sport even more thrilling is doing it with vehicles that come with special off-roading capabilities. 

Nothing is more exciting than trying out a finely tuned suspension, rock-crawling drive modes, and panoramic view monitors that come with some vehicles, like the Lexus GX 460’s off-road package. 

When mudding causes injuries or threatens lives

Oftentimes, drivers worry about getting their vehicles stuck in the mud and having to pay to get them out of the situation. Though that can be concerning to off-roaders, it’s not the worst that could happen. If you are mudding and you have someone with you watching you blast through the mud, they could be in danger if something goes wrong. 

Sometimes the mechanics can malfunction, causing you to lose control of the off-roading vehicle. There won’t be much you can do to prevent causing serious injuries to your friends nearby. Of course, injuries are one thing; death is quite another. 

According to the Law Offices of Robert Gregg, three people were killed in a mudding accident in Georgia. Two brothers and an 11-year-old died when the throttle of the vehicle got stuck while driving through mud. They lost control and killed the three onlookers. 

When off-roading threatens the environment

Mudding may be fun for some people, but it can also endanger the environment. It can destroy native plants in the area, which starts a chain reaction of destruction. When these plants are crushed, weeds are apt to grow in their place, which could essentially overtake other plants in the area and keep them from getting the nutrients they need, the Law Offices of Robert Gregg explains.

Trees nearby can also be robbed of what they need to survive, which could kill them off. Then you have the local wildlife, which relies on those trees for shelter and other means of survival. You could also destroy or alter ponds, creeks, and riverbeds, harming fish life that depends on the watery environments for survival. 

Getting caught mudding on federal land, which is illegal, brings hefty fines and penalties from civil lawsuits. The price you could pay might be more than what you would pay for the vehicle that did the damage in the first place. 

Mudding can also cause plenty of headaches that don’t involve harming people or the environment. You could lose control and flip the vehicle, you could spin into trees and damage your car, and you could be thrown from your vehicle if you hit an unseen rock in the mud. All in all, there’s danger in this sport, and you should be extra cautious when going on an off-roading adventure. 

RELATED: The Do’s and Don’ts of Off-Roading

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