How To Install A GPS Tracker In Your Car Like A Pro?

Well, there are numerous reasons for installing Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker in the car. Not just for tracking purpose, but even as an anti-theft system. GPS tracker is even used for monitoring driving habits and skills of a driver. It has various professional uses like for ambulance emergency services, for businesses like car rentals, etc.

For me, the purpose behind installing GPS tracker in a car was to track my car when I rented it to a UBER driver. It was not only used by me but also by UBER Company to keep his track. I was little worried first because I was renting my car for the first time and so, I installed the tracker to assure that no flaws were left.

Why should you use a GPS Tracker?

Whatever the purpose may be behind using this device, it would work flawlessly. These tracking devices are incorporated with Global Positioning System technology that would fetch the real-time location of your vehicle and also provide you with different information like the speed, directions, location, and movement of your car.

The unique feature of this advance technology helps you even to know the time spent while halting at different locations. There is also a feature called ‘geo-fencing’ that would ring an alarm when the car moves out of the previously defined routes.

General Facts!

Global Positioning tracking devices are available in two forms: The hard-wired and the portable one. If you choose the portable one, you need no talent or special skill to be able to install the device. You need to place it anywhere simply you want in your car and even change its places as per your comfort.

The hard-wired tracking systems are more complicated than the portable one as you need to make a few connections and even give power supply from the car's battery.

The hard-wired one is the best and sustainable, and would never give you wrong data until its power is disconnected. It remains fixed in a place, and it’s hard to be removed. I chose the hard-wired one because, the portable one could be thrown at the place and I won’t be able to track the actual position of my car while the hard-wired would remain fixed and upon hampering, I would come to know. So, let me guide you through the installation of the hard-wired tracking system.

Locations for Installation

The first step before installing any device is finding the location where you would be placing your tracker in your car. And there are many factors to be considered before installing. I would select a place that is nearer to the supply line and protected from bad weather.

Well, you can place it anywhere, and the most favorite place is underneath the dashboard as it is made from fiber and it won’t block signals, unlike metals. So you should not place it under trunk. Try to keep it away from radios or other electronics so that the signals don’t get distorted.

A GPS signal can easily penetrate plastic, fiberglass, foam, wood, and glass. And so, I choose to place it underneath the dashboard and mainly closer to the windscreen so that it can get easy access to incoming and outgoing GPS signal. And, the trackers normally need battery changed after few months, and so you should place such that it is easily accessible.

Installation Process

The First Basic Step

So first thing before you install GPS tracker in the car is to ensure that you find a good place where a power source is easily available. You can power your device either by connecting it directly to your car’s battery or by using a dedicated battery for it. Well, to make contact with car’s battery, you would need the help of a professional while for using a dedicated battery; you just need a weather proof and magnetic resistant case.

What I did was, I found a constant DC voltage of 12 V and drew a connection from ignition wire. And then, I connected the red wire of tracker with this 12 V supply and white with the ignition wire and the ground one with the ground of the tracker. This will directly draw power from the ignition without disturbing other connections, and you should also not take a connection from radio or connect white and red wire together.

An important instruction, I also connected dedicated batteries for security. In case, if it loses power from the car’s battery or is hampered, it will immediately shift on emergency batteries and will send you the last known location along with some alerts.

2^nd Step

Secondly, I checked whether all the connections were perfect or not. And, also I taped it with electric tape to avoid leakages. You should place your tracker to the place you decided such that no one can find it easily.

The Final Step

It’s time to test the installed tracker. Once, I had placed it underneath the dashboard; I took my car out for a drive. To check whether the data were accurate or not, I jotted down the stoppage timings, location, and the speed. On my return, I used the mobile application to fetch the data of my travel. Lastly, I compared the online data with the notes and found that they were same and completed the installation of a GPS tracker. Do everything to make this sure.

After few months, I came across the new tracking system that used the OBD port available in the car. It was used for the same purpose and even for speed control. There are OBD ports underneath the dashboards and the ignition column. This tracker even has best dash camera that gives the rear view on the panel of GPS tracker and helps while taking a reverse turn.

They have an inbuilt accelerometer that checks sudden breaks, collision, and acceleration. It would even notify you on car crash or even on theft. I find them very intriguing, you should find them too.

Conclusion

I hope that you were able to get proper guidelines about the installation of these trackers. It is one of the best car technologies that one could ever build. Find the safest place, and make sure that you wire properly and make a good connection. I would always prefer beneath the dashboard. Also, the modern ones can be replaced with the radios and have a big front panel.

If you have still doubts with the whole installation process, do let us know. We should reply back soon. Also, don’t forget your valuable review below. Go, you can do it, save your car!