Radios, clocks, alarms, and GPS trackers all pull energy from the battery, ranging from 1 mAh for a clock to as much as 20 mAh hours for a GPS unit in sleep mode (all of these numbers vary by the vehicle type and GPS unit, though).
Contrary to common belief, a car GPS tracker does not drain the battery of your vehicle. However, most people think that if their car battery is rapidly depleting, it is unlikely that the car tracker is to blame.
Their concern isn't wholly unfounded. It has been shown that GPS and geofencing apps do consume battery power throughout the day. In a recent study, a GPS app depleted battery life by 13% in an area with good signal strength and 38% in an area with weak signal strength.
Battery Drain
All electronic accessories added to your car consume power from the battery, even when the engine is not running. So a poorly designed OBD device, when left plugged into the OBD port, might completely drain your battery.
Battery Powered Retrieve
Your Tracker system has a non-rechargeable internal battery, and does not take any power from your vehicle's main battery. The battery has a service life of 5 years standby. At the end of 5 years you will need a new system.
Prolonged GPS interference may lead to a decreased battery life. For example, if a tracker is indoors and the roof of the building blocks GPS signals, the tracker uses up more power to try and detect GPS positions. Temperature: Extreme temperatures (below -5°C and above 40°C) may affect battery life and effectiveness.
Having a tracking device installed in your car is one of the most reliable and efficient ways of protecting it from crime. Although they can be quite expensive, these devices will lower your insurance premiums and could save you a huge amount of hassle, in the long run, if your vehicle is stolen.
Even if unplugged, an internal antenna and battery backup system allow the unit to continue sending signals. When unplugged, the unit will automatically send an alert to the management app, allowing the fleet manager to take action to track the vehicle.
If you have given a lender permission to attach a GPS by signing your name on a legal document, removal could mean losing the car. If you are going to buy a new car with a built-in GPS that you don't want, you should ask the dealer to have it removed. If you remove it yourself, you could void the warranty.
Remote disable use
Once the car tracker is wired up as above the car owner can send either a SMS text command to their vehicle tracker or by using a mobile phone app that comes with the tracker to disable the car – e.g. to disable the ignition or the starter motor.
What may drain a car battery when it's off are things such as interior lights, door lights, or even bad relays. While your engine runs, the alternator recharges the battery — which is why you typically don't have to worry about the battery dying while you're blasting the radio on your drive to work!
Under a good signal strength, GPS apps will shorten the battery's life less - by 13%. If your remote workers are in an area with weak signal strength, the battery can deplete up to 38%.
The answer is YES! Whenever you leave the location services of your device on, expect a great increase in battery consumption, thus; short battery life span in the long run. This is because your phone's GPS chip uses slightly much power to run which drains your battery.
“Electrical devices or lights left running, a defective charging system or alternator, and extreme weather are some common reasons but maybe it's just time to get a new battery.”
Adjust your location services settings
But if these apps are running behind the scenes and you aren't traveling, location services can drain your battery. To adjust this: Go to Settings > Location. Disable location setting services by turning off the switch at the top of the screen.
GPS Vehicle Trackers are unlikely to cause issues with a vehicle's electronics system. GPS Trackers often get the blame by mechanics because simply removing the tracker from the OBD II port may (at least temporarily) resolve the issue.
Check the Exterior
Using a flashlight, check both front and rear wheel wells. Use your hand to feel in areas that aren't easily visible. If a tracker is located in the wheel well, its magnet will need to be attached to a metal part, so look behind plastic covers that don't require removal.
It's worth noting that the Monitor system doesn't come with its own app. Should it need to be located, this can only be done by Tracker's own control room and the Police themselves. Whilst it can be disconcerting to think of your vehicle being stolen, it's worth noting that most thieves won't try and block the signal.
The causes of tracking problems
Whilst worn suspension and incorrect adjustments are primary causes of wheel misalignment, general wear and tear is the most common cause.
Settings. Tap Privacy and security. Tap Do Not Track. Turn the setting on or off.
Although there's no legal obligation to add a tracker to your car, as well as the extra security, it could also help you save money on your car insurance. This is because the likelihood of your car becoming damaged or written off is significantly reduced with a tracker.
Many major insurers offer discounts of upwards of 30 percent on insurance costs to businesses that implement tracking solutions.
The technology implemented in GPS tracking devices is so unique and advanced that it can provide you with the exact location of up to 10 meters. Some high-end devices can offer better precision and are accurate up to 1 meter.
Turning off the location service on your phone can help conceal your location. This is important if you don't want third parties knowing where you are or being able to track your movement. However, a smartphone can still be tracked through other techniques that reveal its general location.