You can use mobile phone technology to track a stolen car if it has a vehicle recovery system installed. These systems rely on a combination of cellular and GPS location technology to locate and recover stolen vehicles in a timely manner and before any major damage can occur. If you want to install a vehicle recovery system on your car, you have two primary options: factory-installed systems and aftermarket systems.

Factory-Installed Vehicle Recovery Systems

Factory-installed vehicle recovery systems are usually part of the telematics service offered by your automobile manufacturer. GM's OnStar is one example of a telematics service. Others include BMW Assist, Toyota Safety Connect, Lexus Enform, and Mercedes-Benz TeleAid. Before purchasing a car or truck, you should ask a sales representative about the manufacturer's telematics service and its pricing options. If your vehicle is stolen, you should first file a report with the police. Then, contact the telematics service of your automobile manufacturer. A monitoring center will use mobile phone technology to receive data from your stolen vehicle and send it to the police department. Certain factory-installed systems, such as GM's OnStar, are capable of slowing down stolen vehicles.

Aftermarket Vehicle Recovery Systems

If your vehicle does not have a factory-installed vehicle recovery system, you can choose from a number of aftermarket options that vary widely in cost and portability. One of the more expensive aftermarket systems is Mobile IQ. You can purchase it from a mobile electronics specialist for approximately $500 with a $100 installation fee and a $100-per-year subscription fee. Unlike factory-installed systems, you can transfer Mobile IQ to a different car by paying an additional installation fee. If your car is stolen, Mobile IQ will alert the monitoring center, who will contact you with the car's location through your phone or email. You should then notify the police. Using Mobile IQ, both you and the police can track your stolen vehicle online. Another popular aftermarket system is Zoombak, which is a cheaper and more portable option. You can purchase it from any automotive or electronic store for approximately $200 with a $15 per month usage fee. Because there is no installation fee, you can transfer a Zoombak system more easily and cheaply between cars. Zoombak does not alert you or anyone else if a theft or unauthorized movement has taken place. Consequently, you should go online and regularly check the location of your vehicle. If you discover your car has been stolen, you should immediately notify the police, who can also track your car online.

Limitations on Mobile Phone Technology

Unfortunately, because vehicle recovery systems rely on mobile phone technology, they have certain limitations: They won't operate inside concrete structures or dead areas, or where the line of sight is blocked.

Source:

Stolen Vehicle Recovery Systems

Telematic Systems

Resource:

GM's OnStar

Mobile IQ Vehicle Protection

Zoombak Personal GPS Locator