The more effort you put into tuning/customizing your car, the more tempting a target it is, and the more it hurts if it gets stolen. Unfortunately, there’s no sure-fire way to prevent theft short of posting an armed guard on it 24/7. What you can do, however, is increase your chances of vehicle recovery by attaching a GPS tracker to your vehicle.
If you’ve ever lost a car to thieves or want to take precautionary measures in case of the unthinkable, then this guide will explain how to choose the right GPS tracker and how to use it properly.
Understanding How GPS Trackers Work
GPS trackers are smart devices that pick up radio signals from GPS satellites in orbit, then transmit their location to a companion app. They transmit signals using cellular networks and all come equipped with SIM cards. Because of this need for cell connectivity, all trackers require a subscription plan to access the network.
What Kind of GPS Tracker Should I Use?
A quick search on Amazon will result in a dizzying array of GPS trackers. Even the same brand can have multiple types of trackers that you could potentially use on your car. Here’s a quick run-down of the most common varieties you’ll see as you shop for GPS trackers:
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Portable GPS trackers. These are smaller devices that come with an internal battery. The biggest advantage of these trackers is that they’re discreet and easy to hide. Some even come with a magnetic case that you can attach to the underside of your vehicle. They do need to be recharged every so often, however.
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Hardwired GPS trackers. These trackers attach directly to your vehicle’s battery. They come with wires that connect to the battery’s positive and negative terminals and are generally easy to install. They don’t need to be recharged and, because they’re in the engine compartment, aren’t easily visible to thieves.
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OBD GPS trackers. OBD GPS trackers plug directly into your vehicle’s OBD II port. Like the hardwired trackers, they don’t need to be recharged. And because they plug into the OBD port, they can potentially provide additional vehicle information beyond speed and location (e.g. battery health, engine status) and even perform a starter interrupt to prevent unauthorized ignitions.
What Else Can a GPS Tracker Do?
All GPS trackers can give current location and speed. But the rest of a GPS tracker’s capabilities depends a lot on how advanced the companion software is.
Here are some notable GPS tracker security features available through a companion app:
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Geofencing: Draw a digital boundary around a location (like your house) and the tracker will notify you whenever it leaves or enters the area
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Live links: Share your tracker’s live location with another person (like the police).
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Tracker history: Generate a history of a tracker’s route in case you need to know where the vehicle has been.
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Power source alerts: Get notified if someone (like a thief) has unplugged your tracker.
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Ignition alert: Receive an alert if someone’s turned on your vehicle’s engine.
My Car Was Stolen! What Should I Do Now?
While it may be tempting to jump into another vehicle and chase the thieves down, the most important thing to do is to stay safe.
Do not rush to confront the criminals. They may be armed and you may be putting yourself in unnecessary danger. Instead, call the police and give them a live link to your GPS feed. They’re the best equipped to handle this risky situation, so let them do their jobs.
If things go well, your car will be returned to you safe and sound!
