Top 10 most asked CarLock-related questions

Every time you consider purchasing a new gadget, you probably wonder what features a particular solution offers and what its advantages and disadvantages are. To get a direct answer, you might even get in touch with the team members of your favorite brand to get as much information as possible before the purchase is made. There are always a number of product-related questions that are asked much more frequently than others, and the same applies to the CarLock GPS car tracker. To get a clearer picture of the CarLock solution, let’s go through the top 10 most asked questions.

1. What happens if it gets unplugged?

If the device is disconnected from the OBDII port, CarLock users are immediately notified via the CarLock app on their phone. Since in some cars the OBD connector is located in a place where the CarLock device would be too visible and you’d, therefore, want to move the device to a more hidden location, you can either use the extension cable or connect the device to a car battery using the power adapter cable. More detailed information can be found in THIS article.

2. Why don’t you provide any diagnostic data since your device is connected to the OBD port like other car tracking solutions?

Most vehicle tracking solutions monitor the car’s diagnostic data and help to verify the engine code, the engine interior as well as the engine lights, which is undoubtedly a great feature. However, devices connected to the car computer via the OBDII port are highly vulnerable to hacking and remote control. Because of these security concerns, CarLock was designed not to be connected to the car computer. It uses only 2 pins from the OBD port (pins 4 and 16) to power the device and allow users to monitor changes in car battery voltage. Read more about it HERE.

3. Will it work with cars manufactured before 1996?

The CarLock device is designed so that it can be easily plugged into the car’s diagnostics connector (OBDII) and does not require any tools. All cars manufactured after 1996 have the OBDII connector. It is usually located near the driver’s knees, under the steering wheel. However, the device can also be connected to a car battery using the power adapter cable. The OBD power adapter works in any car with a 12V battery even if the car was built before 1996 and doesn’t have an OBD connector built-in.

4. Do you have to keep it plugged in all the time?

CarLock needs the power to work, so it needs to be constantly connected to the OBDII port if you want to be notified about your car. If you don’t want to use it for a certain period of time, you can simply disconnect it from the OBDII port and plug it back when needed. 

5. Do you charge a monthly fee?

CarLock works with a subscription that covers all operational costs, including connectivity via the mobile network and the CarLock Cloud updates and maintenance. There is no contract and no hidden costs. The first month of use is completely free. 

6. What if my OBD is occupied?

If the OBDII port is occupied, you can install the CarLock device with the splitter cable or the power adapter cable (also supplied by CarLock). See HERE.

7. Does it affect the car’s battery?

Since CarLock only uses the OBDII connector for charging, this has no effect on a car computer. In fact, the CarLock device has different power saving modes, so when the car is idle, it consumes only around 2mA. Even if the car is idle for several weeks, there should be no problems.

8. Can I switch it from one car to another?

The device can easily be switched from one vehicle to another. If a vehicle does not have the OBDII port, a power adapter cable should be used to install the CarLock device. 

9. Do you support multiple-vehicle tracking? 

With CarLock, you can monitor and manage multiple vehicles within the same CarLock account. Users with multiple vehicles and owners of small fleets can, therefore, add multiple vehicles to their CarLock account, easily switch between business vehicles and even be notified separately for each of their vehicles.

10. Is my data secure?

We take user privacy very seriously. We ensure all the collected data are kept private and secure and are not shared with any 3rd party. User data is only used to provide and improve our service. You can check our privacy policy HERE.

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Check all the benefits CarLock offers in comparison to other car tracking solutions and order one for yourself HERE.