How Do Car Trackers Work? (2024)

GPS trackers for vehicles use satellite navigation data to provide real-time information about your car's location, speed, direction, and distance. Personal vehicle tracking benefits include theft protection, improving teen driver safety, and insurance discounts. GPS technology can be a factory-built option for new cars or an aftermarket product you install.

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What are car GPS trackers?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a network that works by transmitting signals between satellites and tracking devices, providing users with real-time location information. A GPS can also track speed, direction, distance, and time.

Car GPS devices can work in areas with limited cell phone service because the system relies on satellites. It should show your car's location whether the user interface is on a dedicated device, displayed on your dashboard, or accessible through your smartphone.Learn more about how GPS navigation systems for cars work.

What are the benefits of GPS vehicle tracking systems?

Vehicle tracking systems can protect you, your loved ones, and your car. Knowing your vehicle's location using GPS has several potential advantages. Location data can help emergency responders locate you faster following a crash. If your car is stolen, or your car gets towed, GPS could aid in recovering it.

Parents or guardians can use GPS tracking to monitor their teenage child's driving for safety. You can identify risky behavior and encourage responsible driving with real-time trip data, including speed and location. Some GPS systems also send alerts. Learn more about teen driving monitoring apps.

GPS tracking in a personal vehicle might also protect elderly family members. There's a good chance that a loved one will still try to drive after a dementia diagnosis. Keeping tabs on your car could prevent unexpected trips.

Can I get insurance discounts for sharing my driving data?

You might be able to get an insurance discount for GPS tracking. With your permission many major auto insurance companies offer tracking programs. The GPS devices collect data including speed, trip distance, and other factors such as hard braking, hard acceleration, and fast cornering. Depending on how you drive, you could be eligible for car insurance discounts on your auto insurance premium.

What's the cost of a car GPS tracker?

According to Edmunds, GPS car tracking costs several hundred dollars. For new higher-end vehicles, GPS tracking usually comes with other dashboard technologies in a pre-installed package that can cost several thousand dollars. However, most aftermarket products fall into the $50 to $200 range.

How Do Car Trackers Work? (2)

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How Do Car Trackers Work? (2024)

FAQs

How Do Car Trackers Work? ›

The vehicle's location is provided by telematics hardware installed in the vehicle communicating with a GPS Satellite network. The installed telematics device collects and transmits the important vehicle and driver data in real time. Using cellular networks data is sent on to regional servers.

Do car trackers work when the car is off? ›

This is dependent on the type of tracker you use. Most, if not all trackers operate by using the car's battery/electrical system to power it. So for some models of car trackers, they will not track the location of the vehicle if it is off.

Do car trackers give exact location? ›

GPS trackers communicate with networks of satellites that transmit radio signals. These signals help pinpoint the exact location of the device. With a tracker installed in your car and an app on your phone, you can see the vehicle's location in real-time.

How does a vehicle tracking device work? ›

How GPS Tracking Works. The GPS tracking device is installed into a vehicle (or piece of equipment or asset) to gather real-time information including speed, idle time, diagnostics, etc. It uses Global Positioning Systems (GPS satellites) to know the vehicle or equipment's location on Earth at all times.

Can you block a vehicle tracker? ›

Best Ways to Block a Gps Tracker

Plug a GPS blocker into your car's cigarette lighter or power outlet. Wrap your vehicle's GPS device in aluminum foil or a metal box whenever you want to hide your location.

Do all GPS trackers require a monthly fee? ›

Unfortunately, no GPS tracker without monthly fee seems to meet all the requirements. Some lack either real-time tracking or unlimited distance tracking, thus they do not fully ensure the safety of your loved ones.

Can a cell phone detect a GPS tracker? ›

You can detect trackers that are currently near you and separated from their owner's device with manual scan. It's possible that the trackers found in a manual scan are simply misplaced or temporarily separated from their owner's device.

Are vehicle trackers worth it? ›

In conclusion, car trackers like the TruTrak Pro offer a blend of security, peace of mind, and technological convenience. They're a small price to pay for the significant benefits they deliver. For those seeking additional ways to protect their vehicle, car trackers are a sensible step forward.

Where is the best place to put a tracker on a car? ›

Inside the Bumper: Putting the tracker within the bumper gives it a concealed position, which is great for preventing theft. You can do this with either the front or back bumper.

Is there a tool to find a tracker on your car? ›

Locating a Hidden GPS Car Tracker With a Bug Sweeper

Electronic sweepers (aka bug detectors) are handheld devices that detect electromagnetic signals like those used by radio transmitters and cellphones.

Can an iPhone detect a car tracker? ›

It's possible the tracker is attached to an item the user is borrowing, but if not, iPhone can view the tracker's identifier, have the tracker play a sound to help locate it, and access instructions to disable it.

Who can remove a tracker from a car? ›

If you are considering the removal of a hardwired GPS tracker from your car, the best option is to consult your local auto repair mechanic for professional assistance. They will guarantee the tracker's proper uninstallation and continued viability.

What do car trackers look like? ›

A battery-powered portable tracker, for example, is usually square- or rectangular-shaped and may have a magnetic case it attaches to. If it is an OBD tracker, it looks like a plug that goes under the steering wheel.

Can cops put tracking devices on cars? ›

Since 2012, law enforcement has been required to obtain orders in order to attach a tracking device to a vehicle, regardless of whether the device is connected to vehicle power. Most states prohibit placing a tracking device on a vehicle unless you own it.

How is vehicle tracking done? ›

Vehicle trackers might be small, but they're mighty in what they do. These compact devices are packed with advanced tech. Inside a vehicle tracking device, you'll find a GPS module – this is what communicates with satellites to calculate where your vehicle is located.

How do I know if the tracking is off on my car? ›

If you find your tyres seem to be wearing quicker than usual, this may be a sign of a problem with your car's wheel alignment, also known as 'tracking'. Incorrect alignment could also mean that you experience crooked/unstable steering, pulling from the steering wheel, or a steering wheel that is not level when driving.

What happens when you unplug a car tracker? ›

The plug-and-play devices work when the car is plugged in, not when it is disconnected. It is simple to disable. Also, the devices have an internal antenna and battery to keep sending the signals. When unplugged, the device notifies the owner.

Can my car be tracked without me knowing? ›

Not all GPS vehicle trackers are meant to be hidden, but a lot of them are small and lightweight enough that they can easily be overlooked by the unsuspecting and untrained eye. In fact, many of these devices tend to be smaller than a deck of cards.

How long do car trackers work? ›

Battery-powered trackers may have a shorter lifespan compared to wired or OBD-II trackers, ranging from 1 to 3 years on average, depending on battery capacity and usage frequency.

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