Ask the Expert: Where Do I Place a GPS in My Car?

GPS tracking devices come in a range of different sizes and configurations, each with their own best practices for tracking a car. You can’t put a device just anywhere–some spots are much better than others. But we don’t expect you to know that if it’s your first time buying a tracker for your vehicle. 

That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of our product manager TJ Chasteen to share some tips on getting the best performance out of your car tracker. 

“The first thing to know is what type of GPS you have,” TJ says. “That will determine how it’ll be installed on your vehicle.”

OBD GPS Tracker: OBD II Port

The OBD GPS tracker is very straightforward. It can really only go in one place: your vehicle’s OBD II port. 

“All cars and trucks have OBD ports somewhere in the vehicle interior and are very easy to find,” says TJ. “Motorcycles may be a different story, as some manufacturers use custom-designed ports that standard OBD trackers won’t fit.”

You can refer to the diagram below to find your car’s OBD port. 

Once you’ve found the port, just take off the panel and plug the OBD tracker in. You may or may not be able to replace the cover panel; it depends on the size of the GPS tracker and how much extra room there is within the compartment.

Hardwired vehicle tracker: Car battery 

Some vehicle trackers like our SWIFT tracker and Motorcycle Tracker have wires that connect to battery terminals. Like the OBD tracker, there’s only one place that tracker can go.

“Connecting the SWIFT tracker is very easy and doesn’t require a technician. Just use a wrench to loosen the nut tightening the two battery terminals, and hook up the positive and negative terminals–they’re marked on both the battery and the tracker leads. Then tighten the nuts back up and you’re ready to go.”

“Once you’ve connected the tracker leads, you can secure the tracker to the battery using double-sided tape so that it doesn’t move around.”

One advantage of using a wired tracker like this is that it’s hidden from immediate view by potential thieves. You might not be able to hide the OBD tracker as well because it’s inside the car and you might not be able to replace the panel.

Portable GPS Tracker: Vehicle interior or exterior

If you have a portable GPS tracker like the Spytec Mini or Spytec Micro, then you have more freedom to choose where it goes. But what you plan to use it for dictates where you will place it. 

“GPS trackers work best when they have direct line-of-sight to the sky,” TJ says. So if you’re not worried about theft or discretion, you can just stick the tracker onto your dashboard or mount it on the windshield.

If you need a little bit more discretion, then things get a little trickier. “Tossing a tracker in a glove box or the trunk may affect performance, and isn’t recommended,” TJ says. “Instead, we recommend using the magnetic weatherproof case for the Spytec Mini.” 

That case can attach to the exterior or underside of your vehicle. It’s discreet, reliably secure, and can still connect to GPS satellites in the sky. 

Have other questions for our GPS experts? For further assistance, you can always reach out to us directly.