PITTSBURGH -- It seems that cell phones can do just about anything these days. From playing music, to sending e-mails, the technology is getting more advanced all the time.

But can you use your cell phone to unlock your car door? Or dial a number to get directory assistance for free?

An e-mail may have showed up in your inbox claiming that your phone can do these things and more. I decided to put these five cell phone myths to the test, with the help of some of my colleagues at WPXI.

Every day during the week of Nov. 17 I will post the results of each of my tests. I think you'll find them to be very interesting, and hopefully you'll learn something, too! And, if you've tested any of these myths on your own, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Just post your comments below!

MONDAY: CAN YOU USE YOUR CELL PHONE TO UNLOCK YOUR CAR DOOR?

Watch David and Jessica Test This Myth!

The e-mail says: "Does your car have remote key less entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"

MYTH OR FACT?

According to my test: MYTH

Channel 11 News anchor David Johnson helped me out with this one. He stood outside at his car in the WPXI parking lot holding his Samsung flip-phone about a foot from the door as the e-mail instructs. I went inside the building with his keyless remote and hit the unlock button while holding it near my Blackberry cell phone. His car door did NOT unlock.

Experts explain that the remote on a car door works on a radio frequency. A cell phone transmits audio frequency. The car will not recognize it because it's the wrong frequency.

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TUESDAY: CAN YOU USE YOUR PHONE'S SERIAL NUMBER TO DISABLE IT IF IT'S STOLEN?

Watch Jessica and Melissa Test This Myth!

The e-mail says: "To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

If your phone gets stolen, you can call your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones."

MYTH OR FACT?

According to my test: MYTH

Creative Services producer Melissa Seegert helped me out with this one. She keyed in the "special code" (*#06#) on her Motorola phone but no serial number appeared on the screen.

Experts say that this may work in Europe where you can buy unlocked phones and SIM cards separately, but in the U.S. all phones have a unique identifier.

You should just call your service provider and have your account disabled.

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WEDNESDAY: CAN YOU CALL DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE FOR FREE?

Watch Jessica and Michael Test This Myth!

The e-mail says: "Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now."

MYTH OR FACT?

According to my test: FACT!

Promotions manager Michael Dickson helped me out with this one. He called 1-(800)-FREE411 from his Apple iPhone and was connected to the free 411 service.

However, it took a little over two minutes to get the number he wanted after going through all of the steps, and he had to listen to a :10 McDonald's commercial before hearing the number.

The service does give you the option of having the number e-mailed or sent via text message to your phone which could be helpful.

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THURSDAY: DOES YOUR CELL PHONE STORE EXTRA BATTERY POWER THAT YOU CAN RELEASE?

Watch Jessica and Conor Test This Myth!

The e-mail says: "Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time."

MYTH OR FACT?

According to my test: MYTH

Promotions producer Conor Garrity helped me out with this one. He entered *3370# into his Blackberry cell phone, but nothing happened.

His phone did not restart and his battery power did not increase.

Experts say this myth is just a plain hoax.

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FRIDAY: IS THERE A WORLD-WIDE NUMBER TO CALL FOR EMERGENCIES?

Watch Jessica and Carly Test This Myth!

The e-mail says: "The emergency number worldwide for mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out."

MYTH OR FACT?

According to my test: FACT!

Internet multimedia specialist Carly Noel helped me out with this one. She called 1-1-2 from her Apple iPhone on the AT&T network and she WAS connected to a 911 operator.

We did not, however, test this number from outside of Carly's coverage area.

Remember that 911 is the number that all Pittsburghers and most Americans should use in the event of an emergency. Dialing 911 will even work on a cell phone that no longer has a monthly contract.