Technology has made the unthinkable possible. Advancements can be seen in industry products and people continue to be amazed by the offerings. The automotive industry is no exception. It has adopted technology as a whole and the many advanced features are a shining example of this partnership. However, technology in the wrong hands can be lethal at times. Trackers, for instance, are helpful devices but can cause problems when used for the wrong purposes.
While trackers on cars usually pose no threat to vehicle safety, unauthorised installation can be a serious invasion of privacy. We have compiled a list of some effective ways to find hidden trackers on a car and eliminate any signs of unauthorised tracking.
Trackers on Cars
Most modern vehicles come equipped with a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) to detect vehicle location. These trackers act as a safety layer in the event of an emergency. While smart car hacking remains a possibility with these vehicles, placing unauthorised trackers is a different scenario.
Trackers are small in size and are not easily detectable. In general, there are two types of tracking devices you should know about:
Monitored Tracking Devices
These are the advanced types of tracking devices and are usually expensive. Monitored tracking devices can be hardwired into the cars for power supply. However, many are also operable by batteries. These devices provide real-time location updates. A blinking light usually indicates a working tracker.
Unmonitored Tracking Devices
Relatively cheaper than monitored tracking devices, these record waypoints during the journey. Instead of providing real-time location, the car can be tracked at different points throughout its route. These do not require any subscriptions and can be found in regular stores or markets.
How to Locate Hidden Trackers on a Car
Authorised tracking is a clear invasion of privacy. With access to the car’s location, the individuals can cause damage to your vehicles. Therefore it is important to know car hacking prevention ways and other tips to secure your vehicle.
That said, let’s now go through some effective ways to find hidden trackers on a car and ensure there are no illegal tracking devices on your vehicle.
CHECK THE CAR’S EXTERIOR
Most GPS trackers are small in size, therefore they are not easy to locate at a glance. Keep a flashlight handy before beginning the search. If you’re sure of being tracked, it is a viable option to lift your vehicle using a jack stand or take it to a service station to raise it further up. You can also use bug detectors for a more efficient job.
Once the car is off the ground, follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Look at the fuel tank and search for any unfamiliar object. Most GPS trackers are magnetic and fuel tanks can be the ideal place for sticking one.
- Inspect the wheel wells thoroughly, especially the upper cover. Use your hand to catch any unusual object.
- Check the bumpers using your fingers or you may also use a mirror to have a look inside. The off-road bumpers are bigger and have ample space to fit a tracker.
- Have a thorough look under the hood. Look for anything that seems out of place.
Additionally, to find hidden GPS car trackers, it is a good option to keep the vehicle manual with you. This can help identify any unusual objects.
INSPECT THE CAR’S INTERIOR
The exterior isn’t the only place to place a tracker. Once the exterior check is done, it is equally important to check the interior.
To place a tracker in the interior, someone should have access to your vehicle. In some cases the car door doesn’t lock properly or someone might have a duplicate key or other devices. Either way, the interior has multiple places for hiding a tracker. Follow the below-mentioned steps to detect a hidden GPS tracker on a vehicle.
- An On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) is an ideal area for hiding a tracker. Particularly for trackers requiring a power supply from a car. Check out the manual to locate the OBD port and look for any additional plugged-in devices.
- Check the pouches, seat pockets, glove box and all storage compartments. Since GPS trackers are usually very small, they may not be visible unless you take a deeper look.
- Thoroughly check under the seats and the dashboard area. Moreover, unzip the seat cushions to see if there’s a tracker hidden.
- Go through the vehicle’s trunk as it has ample space. The tracker might very well be on the car spare tyre, therefore check it too before closing the trunk.
If unsure of how to find a hidden tracker on your car, take the vehicle to an authorised service station. They have the tools and skillset to carry out an effective search without causing any damage to the vehicle.
Purpose of Hidden Trackers on a Car
While authorised tracker placement is a breach of privacy, there are several approved uses of trackers. You can also find some of the best car tracking devices in the UAE to enhance vehicle safety. Listed below are some of the other purposes of hidden trackers on a car:
- Fleet companies use trackers to keep a check on vehicle locations
- Taxi companies use trackers for vehicle dispatching
- Some parents may place trackers on their childrens’ vehicle to ensure safety
- Suspecting spouses may hide trackers to keep a check on their partner’s location
- Investigators use trackers to keep track of certain people
- Car owners can hide trackers to locate the vehicle in the event of theft
The many benefits of car GPS tracking make them compulsory for vehicles. However, GPS trackers for car, unless they are placed by authorised personnel, are an invasion of privacy. If you find a tracker on your vehicle, enquire about it from your surrounding people.
If they did not place it on your vehicle, get in touch with law enforcement to ensure there are no illegitimate plans behind the move. However, if authorised personnel place the trackers , removing them without proper approval can land you in trouble with the law.
This is everything you need to know to learn how to find a hidden tracker on your car. Although hidden trackers don’t pose a threat to driver safety, they are still a breach of privacy – unless used by authorised people.
If you suspect location tracking, follow the aforementioned ways to find hidden trackers on a car. Moreover, contemporary vehicles come equipped with modern car safety features to enhance driver safety. Smart systems can also notify if there’s any unusual device plugged into the system.
To add an advanced vehicle with the latest safety and performance features, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a large variety of vehicles listed. Moreover, if you are looking for a tracker for your vehicle, check out these used auto accessories for sale in the UAE and have your pick.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog for vehicle safety-enhancing tips and more.
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