Where to Install a GPS Tracker on a Car

Brian F.
Where to Install a GPS Tracker on a Car

You just invested in a new GPS tracker for your car. You are eager to install it and start tracking your vehicle's location, movements, speed, and more. As with most things related to GPS technology, the process may seem a little complicated or confusing at first glance.

Don't worry—installing a GPS tracker on your car isn't as difficult as you might think. In fact, it's pretty simple and straight forward. This guide will show you the best places to install your GPS tracker so you can get tracking as soon as possible. Let's get started.

WHO USES GPS TRACKERS?

Nearly any company or individual that relies on a vehicle can use a GPS tracker. Businesses that use GPS trackers include taxi companies, delivery services, and trucking fleets.

For personal vehicles, some common reasons to use a GPS tracker include monitoring your teen's driving habits (for safety and insurance discounts), keeping tabs on a spouse who spends a lot of time on the road, and monitoring your driving habits for better fuel efficiency.

Regardless of your reasons for wanting to use vehicle tracking devices, the process of finding and installing one is essentially the same. Let's look at the best places to install a GPS tracker on your car.

BEST PLACES TO INSTALL A GPS TRACKING DEVICE

There are several good places to install a GPS tracker on your car, including:

DASHBOARD

The dashboard is one of the most popular places for GPS tracker installation, as it's easy to access and won't be easily seen or tampered with by others.

UNDER THE SEAT

Another great place to install your GPS tracking device is under the seat of your vehicle. This keeps it hidden from view while giving you easy access, as long as you don't mind reaching down or crawling under the seat to retrieve and operate your device.

UNDER THE CAR

Placing your GPS tracker under the car is another good option, particularly if you don't want the driver to know it's there. This can be a relatively discreet way of doing so, but remember that the device could get wet or damaged by condensation if you park in moist areas. So be sure to get a weatherized GPS tracker like our Waterproof GPS Tracker Kit.

This will ensure they are protected from the elements and allow you to quickly attach the tracker to the vehicle with its built-in magnet.

FRONT OR REAR PLASTIC BUMPER

Placing a GPS tracker in a plastic bumper is an effective option because plastic doesn't interfere with the signal transmission, ensuring reliable GPS performance. The bumper offers a hidden, secure spot where the tracker can be concealed without drawing attention.

This location makes it harder for thieves to detect the device, enhancing your ability to monitor the equipment's location while keeping the tracker safe from tampering.

UNDER CARPETS IN CARS

Placing your GPS tracking device under your vehicle's carpeting is another good option, as it makes tracking difficult for others and keeps the device hidden from view, yet easy to access for you.

ATTACHED TO A SUN VISOR

If you'd like your GPS tracker to be visible but clear, consider attaching it to your vehicle's sun visor. This is a good option if you want others to know they are being tracked so they behave better when behind the wheel.

ATTACHED TO THE ROOF

If covert surveillance is not worrisome, you can attach your GPS tracker to the roof of your larger vehicles. This is particularly useful for businesses that need to track and monitor their employees.

You can also install your GPS tracker using one of these or other methods. Just be sure to choose a safe, reliable location that is easy enough for you to access whenever necessary.

WHEEL WELLS

Placing a GPS tracker in the wheel well is a smart idea because it's a discreet and secure location. The wheel well provides ample space to conceal the device while allowing for accurate signal transmission.

This hidden placement helps protect your equipment from theft, ensuring you can track its location in real time without alerting potential criminals.

WHY USE A GPS TRACKER?

A GPS-tracking device is a helpful car-driving device, and there are numerous reasons a person or business may want to use one. For example:

PEACE OF MIND

The most obvious reason to use a GPS tracker is for peace of mind. For instance, parents can track their young drivers' driving behavior and ensure they obey the law and stay safe on the road.

BEST ROUTES FOR FLEET MANAGEMENT

A business may also use a GPS tracker to help with fleet management, which involves tracking vehicle locations in real-time and planning the most efficient routes for its drivers.

Since GPS trackers provide information on each vehicle's driving history—including average speed and distance—they can also help with fuel efficiency. This allows a business to learn which routes are the most and least efficient and plan accordingly to save money on gas.

VEHICLE RECOVERY

GPS trackers can also help with vehicle recovery if a car or driver goes missing. Log into your device's tracking interface by using your smartphone or computer and see where it is at any given time, which you can use to find it.

LOW INSURANCE PREMIUM

Many insurance companies offer discounts when a car uses a GPS tracking device. They can see how well the driver follows traffic laws and road safety, which can also help decrease the auto insurance premium.

DRIVER BEHAVIOR

Another reason to use a GPS device is to monitor driver behavior. By tracking where drivers are, how they drive, and the date and time of events, a business can assess who is following the rules and which employees require further supervision.

REPORTS

One final reason to use a GPS tracking device is for improved reporting. You can track these driving parameters using your device's interface or download them to be used with other software, such as Google Earth.

This can help you manage your fleet better and monitor driver behavior in the future. As you can see, there are many benefits to using a GPS car tracker when driving or operating a business vehicle.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILE PLACING A GPS TRACKER ON A CAR

Before you place a car tracking device on your vehicle, consider a few things. These include:

HIDING A GPS TRACKER IN A CAR VS LEAVING THE GPS TRACKER VISIBLE

Depending on your intentions, you may prefer to hide the car tracker or leave it visible in your vehicle. This can depend on whether you want others to know they are being tracked and how important it is for your device to stay safe and out of sight.

PLACING A GPS TRACKING DEVICE INSIDE A CAR WITH A BATTERY

Because some trackers come with a magnetic mount, you can easily remove them when necessary. Moreover, they offer versatility in terms of where you place them. Just be sure to avoid locations near your vehicle's fuel tank and engine.

HARDWIRED CAR GPS TRACKERS WITHOUT A BUILT-IN BATTERY

If you're using a hardwired GPS tracker device without a built-in battery, you must install it on the vehicle's power by either connecting it directly to the battery or elsewhere.

SIGNAL STRENGTH

Since you rely on GPS signals to receive information, this is an essential factor to consider. For best results, try to install your tracker so that it has a direct line of sight with the sky.

When under the vehicle, make sure the antenna faces down towards the road so that it can bounce its signal off the road up to the satellite, and make sure that you never place a tracker in an area where it is surrounded on four sides by metal, like the trunk of a car.

HOW GPS TRACKERS WORK

GPS tracking devices use a network of satellites to communicate with your device. This means they need unobstructed access to the sky to work, as mentioned above.

Once you have this information, you can determine which areas of your car are most likely to give your GPS tracker the best signal and place it there for optimal performance. Be sure to test out the location by driving the car. If it shows up and tracks, you have a great spot!