The point of having a GPS is that you can check its history and gain useful insight into where the car has gone and who has driven it. You can track new travel routes, monitor vehicle usage, or verify past locations. Checking the car’s GPS history, though, depends on the type of GPS system installed in your vehicle. Here’s how to do it.
Why do you need to check your car’s GPS history?
If you want to have a good perception of your car’s past travels, then checking the GPS history comes in handy. There are some situations, though, where doing so is even more important.
In case of theft
In the event of a theft, GPS history can help authorities track and recover the stolen vehicle by providing the last known locations and movement patterns.
For young or old drivers
Parents and caregivers can use GPS history to monitor the whereabouts of young drivers or elderly family members, for their safety and wellbeing.
Locating vehicle in case of emergency
GPS history can assist in locating a vehicle in case of an emergency, such as an accident, where the driver is unable to communicate their location.
Car usage patterns
GPS history can also provide data on vehicle usage patterns, which can be used to schedule regular maintenance and prevent breakdowns by anticipating wear and tear.
In case of a traffic accident
In the event of a traffic accident, the GPS history can provide detailed data about the vehicle’s movements before the incident. It helps with accident reconstruction and determines fault.
Insurance claims
Accurate GPS history can support insurance claims as it provides evidence of vehicle location and usage patterns and helps resolve disputes more effectively.
Detailed travel log
GPS history can serve as a detailed travel log and help drivers individuals recall past trips, routes taken, and places visited. This comes in handy for planning future trips or creating travel diaries.
Using Built-in GPS Systems
Many modern cars come with built-in GPS systems integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment system. Here’s how this typically works.
Access the Infotainment System
Turn on your car and navigate to the infotainment system’s main menu.
Find the navigation or GPS section within the infotainment menu and look for options like “History,” “Previous Destinations,” or “Trip Log.” These options will typically list recent routes, destinations, or trips.
Browse through the recorded trips to see detailed information about each journey, including start and end points, routes taken, and timestamps.
Using Aftermarket GPS Trackers
For cars with aftermarket GPS trackers, you need a web platform or mobile app to access the GPS history.
The first step is to visit the website or open the mobile app linked to your GPS tracker. Log in using your account credentials. Once logged in, find the section labeled “History,” “Track History,” or something similar. This section contains the logged data from your GPS tracker.
Most platforms allow you to select specific date ranges for which you want to view the history. Choose the appropriate dates for your review. The platform will display the routes taken, along with detailed information such as start and stop times, locations, and distance traveled. Some platforms might even offer visual maps to illustrate the routes.
Using Mobile Apps
If your car’s GPS system is linked to a mobile app, you can check the GPS history through the app.
Launch the GPS app on your smartphone. Log in, if required, and navigate to the history or trips section within the app. This might be found under menus like “My Trips,” “History,” or “Activity.”
The app will list your previous trips with details such as date, time, duration, and route. Some apps also provide additional data like speed and alerts during the trip.
Using External GPS Data Loggers
For vehicles with external GPS data loggers, the process requires the driver to retrieve the stored data from the device. You can typically use a USB cable or an SD card reader to connect the GPS data logger to your computer. Open the file system of the device and locate the data files. These are usually in formats like CSV, KML, or GPX.
Use software compatible with the file format to import and view the data. Programs like Google Earth (for KML/GPX files) or Excel (for CSV files) can usually be used.
Once imported, you can view the detailed trip data including routes, timestamps, and locations.
Tips for Effective Tracking
For more effective tracking, follow the simple tips below:
- Sync data: Sync your GPS tracker or system regularly with the online platform or app to keep your history updated.
- Set Up Alerts: Some GPS systems allow you to set up alerts for specific activities, like when a vehicle enters or exits a designated area.
- Backup Data: Back up your GPS history data to prevent loss from system failures or accidental deletions.
It’s good to check your car’s GPS history
It’s good to check from time to time your car’s GPS history. You get an insight into where the car has been, how many miles you have traveled, and how family members might be driving the car.
GPS history, however, is particularly useful in case of accident or theft, as you can see what caused the accident or where the car has been following the theft. GPS history can thus boost your personal safety and is a modern record-keeping means.
Whether you’re a concerned parent, a fleet manager, or someone looking to optimize travel routes, you will find that checking your car’s GPS history can be very useful. Indeed, most people wonder how they ever managed without GPS history, so invest in a GPS tracker and start monitoring your travels!
