GPS Tracker Installation Guide: Complete Process, Placement, OBD vs Hardwired

Ordering a GPS tracker, getting it installed, and watching your vehicle appear on the map: the complete process takes less than 48 hours. This guide covers everything you need to know, from choosing your plan to the first live position, with nothing left out.

Journey Overview

Before diving into each step, here is the full process at a glance:

From ordering to your first live position, the entire process takes less than 48 hours.

Step 1: Choose Your Plan

The first decision is your subscription plan. Two main options:

• Basic: 6,000 FCFA/month - live tracking every 30 seconds, kill switch, geofencing (10 zones), speed and motion alerts, 15-day history
• Premium: 10,000 FCFA/month or 100,000 FCFA/year - everything in Basic, plus: tracking every 10 seconds, 180-day history, driving behavior reports, vehicle documents, 30 geofences, 10 user accounts

Quick decision guide: if you only need basic tracking and the kill switch, Basic is sufficient. If you want advanced geofence alerts, long-term history, or driving reports, go Premium.

On the annual plan: 100,000 FCFA/year versus 120,000 FCFA if you pay 10,000 FCFA x 12 months. The annual plan saves you 20,000 FCFA, which equals 2 months free.

For a detailed comparison of what each plan includes, see our GPS subscription guide. To view pricing directly, visit the pricing page.

Step 2: Order and Schedule Installation

Once you have chosen your plan, ordering takes just a few minutes:

• Online on the Traxelio website: select your plan, enter your installation address, and confirm
• Via WhatsApp: send a message, an advisor takes your order and confirms the appointment

What You Pay at the Time of Order

What You Choose at This Step

• Your installation address: home, office, parking lot. The technician travels anywhere in Dakar and its suburbs.
• Your appointment slot: generally available within 24 to 48 business hours.

What You Don't Need to Handle

The SIM card, network configuration, and communication protocol settings are all handled by the technician. You have nothing to prepare technically.

Step 3: Prepare for the Appointment

Installation requires no technical preparation on your part. Here is what you simply need on the day:

1. Vehicle accessible and parked somewhere the technician can work: a quiet street is sufficient, no garage needed
2. Vehicle keys: the technician needs access to the cabin and sometimes the trunk for cable routing
3. Your phone: to download the Traxelio app if you haven't already, and to receive the training walkthrough
4. 30 to 45 minutes available: you don't have to stay, but it is recommended so you can receive the final training

What you do not need to prepare: no tools, no parts, no knowledge of automotive electronics.

Step 4: The Installation, Step by Step

The technician follows a structured protocol. Here is the breakdown:

1. Preliminary diagnostic (5 min): the technician inspects the dashboard, identifies the best position for the device and GPS antenna, and verifies access to the electrical circuit. For common models in Dakar (Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 206/207, Renault Logan, Hyundai Accent), this diagnostic is quick.

2. Device placement and mounting (10 min): the device is positioned under the dashboard or in a discreet space, secured firmly with industrial velcro or cable ties. Invisible from outside the vehicle.

3. Electrical connection (10 min): connected to the vehicle's 12V circuit on a fuse or dedicated connector. No cable cutting, no permanent modification. The vehicle returns to its original state in minutes if the device is removed.

4. Kill switch configuration (5 min, if included in your plan): a relay is wired to the starter power circuit. The technician tests the cut and restart from the app before leaving. A software lock prevents the kill switch from activating while the vehicle is in motion.

5. GPS signal test (5 min): the device is powered on, the technician confirms satellite lock, verifies the position displays correctly on the dashboard, and checks the update frequency matches your plan.

6. Account activation and training (5-10 min): your Traxelio account is activated and the app is installed on your phone. The technician shows you how to see the live position, set an alert, review trip history, and use the kill switch from your phone.

Note: if your vehicle is an uncommon model or has a particularly complex dashboard, installation may take up to 60 minutes. The technician will advise you after the initial diagnostic.

Where Is the Device Installed in the Vehicle?

Device placement directly affects signal quality and concealment. Before choosing a location, three criteria are evaluated:

1. GPS signal: the antenna must have a line of sight toward the sky. Metal blocks or attenuates satellite signals.
2. Concealment: a visible device can be removed. In an anti-theft context, concealment is essential.
3. Power supply: the device must be permanently connected to the vehicle's 12V circuit, close to an accessible power point.

Under the Dashboard (Recommended by Default)

This is the most common location for professional installations.

• Why: direct access to the wiring, out of sight, good satellite reception through the windshield or roof
• Signal: good to excellent if the device is oriented with the antenna facing up
• Concealment: high, invisible from the outside and from rear seats
• Installation: 10 to 15 minutes, secured with industrial velcro or cable ties
• Limitation: accessible to someone actively searching (mechanic, front passenger)

Behind the Dashboard Panel / Inside a Trim Cavity

For contexts where concealment is the priority.

• Why: even more discreet, the device is housed in an empty space behind the trim panel
• Signal: good if the trim is plastic (radio-transparent). Poor if metal-reinforced.
• Concealment: very high, requires removing the panel to find it
• Installation: 20 to 30 minutes (partial trim disassembly)
• Limitation: if the trim includes metal elements, signal may be attenuated

Under a Seat

A quick option when a connector is accessible under the seat.

• Why: easy wiring access if a connector or wire runs under the seat
• Signal: adequate if the antenna faces up
• Concealment: medium, visible to anyone looking under the seat
• Limitation: not recommended in vehicles where passengers regularly retrieve items from the floor

In the Trunk

Sometimes used for trucks or commercial vehicles.

• Why: a discreet space that is rarely searched
• Signal: often degraded, the metal tailgate and side panels block part of the satellite signal
• Concealment: high
• Recommendation: avoid for passenger cars. Acceptable for commercial vehicles if an external antenna is mounted on the roof.

Under the Hood

Reserved for extreme cases where concealment is the absolute priority.

• Why: very difficult to find without tools
• Signal: poor to very poor, surrounded by metal on all sides
• Concealment: maximum
• Recommendation: not recommended unless the device has an external antenna routed through a body seal.

Location Comparison Table

External Antenna: When and Why

Some devices come with a detachable GPS antenna (SMA connector). The antenna can then be placed independently of the device body: on the vehicle roof (magnetically attached or fixed through a roof seal), or on top of the dashboard facing the windshield.

Advantages: maximum signal regardless of where the device body is placed. Allows the device to be hidden completely while maintaining good accuracy.

Disadvantage: requires routing the antenna cable from the antenna to the device, which adds a few minutes to the installation.

What Happens in Dakar in Practice

A few observations from installations carried out:

• The majority of devices are installed under the driver-side dashboard, near the fuse box. This location offers the best balance of signal, concealment, and installation speed.
• On the Toyota Corolla and Peugeot 207 common in Dakar, access points are well known and installation takes 15 minutes.
• For fleets where device theft is a risk (vehicle rental, high-value transport), installation behind the trim panel is recommended.
• Heat is not a problem: professional devices are designed to operate from -20°C to +70°C, which comfortably covers temperatures in Senegal.

OBD GPS vs Hardwired Device: Which to Choose?

The OBD port is tempting: no wiring, no technician, installed in 10 seconds. In practice, it is also the easiest method for a thief to defeat, and the least precise in terms of antenna placement.

OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) is a standardized port present on all vehicles since 1996 (OBD-II standard). It is typically under the dashboard on the driver's side, accessible without any tool in seconds. A GPS dongle plugged into it is powered continuously, even with the ignition off.

Advantages of an OBD GPS

The Limitations That Matter

Security: the fundamental problem. The OBD port is visible and accessible in seconds. A thief who knows about OBD GPS dongles will unplug it before even starting the vehicle. Three seconds, and the tracking is gone.

No kill switch possible: remote engine cutoff requires a relay wired into the starter circuit. An OBD dongle physically cannot cut the engine, because it has no connection to the starter power circuit.

No protection after theft: once the vehicle is stolen, the thief unplugs the dongle. The GPS disappears from the map. Locating the vehicle is not enough if tracking is cut before you can act.

GPS signal often degraded: the dongle's antenna sits inside the vehicle, under the dashboard, surrounded by metal and plastic. Accuracy is often lower than a hardwired device with an antenna positioned upward or an external antenna.

Compatibility: all OBD-II vehicles are compatible (Europe, Asia since 1996), but some manufacturers use proprietary protocols that limit the data available. Vehicles manufactured before 1996 do not have a standard OBD-II port.

OBD vs Hardwired Device Comparison

When an OBD GPS Is a Valid Choice

Despite its limitations, OBD GPS has legitimate use cases:

• Testing before committing: you want to test GPS tracking on your vehicle before investing in a professional hardwired installation. The OBD dongle lets you validate the use case without commitment.
• Personal vehicle with no strong anti-theft requirement: you simply want to share your location with a family member or find your car in a large parking lot.
• Engine data access: you are a mechanic or fleet manager who wants to monitor error codes and engine health in addition to position.
• Short-term rental vehicle: you want to track a rented vehicle for a few days without a permanent installation.

What Traxelio recommends for common use cases in Senegal (anti-theft, fleet management, vehicle rental): the hardwired device, for three reasons. The kill switch is critical for vehicle recovery. Concealment is incomparably superior. GPS accuracy is better with a correctly positioned antenna.

OBD dongles compatible with the Traxelio platform exist for specific use cases. See the list of compatible devices.

Which Areas Are Covered in Dakar?

Our technicians operate across the entire Dakar region:

• City center: Plateau, Medina, Fann
• Western zone: Almadies, Ngor, Ouakam, Mamelles, Yoff
• Suburbs: Parcelles Assainies, Grand Yoff, HLM, Sicap
• Outskirts: Pikine, Guediawaye, Keur Massar, Rufisque, Diamniadio

We also service other regions of Senegal by appointment.

Compatible Vehicle Types

Installation is compatible with the vast majority of vehicles in Senegal:

• Passenger cars: sedans, SUVs, city cars
• Commercial vehicles: vans, panel vans
• Heavy vehicles: trucks, buses
• Motorized two-wheelers: delivery motorcycles, scooters
• Special equipment: tractors, construction machinery

The technician adapts the installation to the vehicle type. For heavy equipment running on 24V, specific devices are available on request.

Configure Your Account After Installation

Once installation is complete, here is what you can configure from the app or web dashboard, without contacting support:

• Speed alerts: set the threshold (for example 80 km/h in the city) and the phone number that receives the alert by SMS or push notification
• Geofences: draw the authorized zones (your neighborhood, your city, or the boundaries of a rental agreement). An alert fires if the vehicle exits the zone.
• Time-based alerts: define the periods during which the vehicle should not move (nights, weekends). Any movement outside these hours triggers a notification.
• Access sharing: add a co-manager (partner, accountant, fleet supervisor) with read-only rights if needed, without giving them access to the kill switch.

These configurations take just a few minutes.

Your Vehicle Is Live

As soon as the device is powered on and connected to the network, the position appears on the map.

• Live updates: every 10 seconds on Premium, every 30 seconds on Basic
• First cold start: on the very first satellite acquisition (new device in a new location), it takes 30 to 60 seconds to lock the signal. This is normal and does not repeat on every engine start.
• History starts immediately: every trip is recorded from the first start. Nothing to configure.
• Support available: if anything does not work correctly after installation, support is reachable by phone and WhatsApp. If the issue is related to the installation itself, the technician returns at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be present during installation? No. You can leave the vehicle and the keys. But it is recommended to be there for the final 5 to 10 minutes to receive the app walkthrough and ask any questions directly to the technician.

Does installation damage my vehicle? No. The connection is made on an existing fuse or connector, with no cable cutting and no permanent modification. Removing the device leaves the vehicle in its original condition.

Can I install the device myself? Technically possible if you have automotive electrical knowledge. But you lose the installation warranty, the professional kill switch configuration, and the app training. For 15,000 FCFA, professional installation by a certified technician is the better option.

Is the tracker visible from outside? No. The device is installed in a discreet location, invisible from outside the vehicle.

Does installation void the manufacturer's warranty? No. Installation is non-invasive and does not permanently modify the vehicle's electronic system.

How long does the internal battery last? The device is powered by the vehicle. The internal backup battery provides 4 to 6 hours of operation if the vehicle is disconnected.

What happens if I change vehicles? The device is transferable. A reinstallation fee of 15,000 FCFA applies for removal and remounting on the new vehicle.

How long before I can use the kill switch? Immediately after installation. The technician tests the function in your presence before leaving. You can use it right away from the app.

What Is Included in Traxelio Installation

• Professional GPS device
• Installation by certified technician
• Complete platform configuration (SIM card, network, protocol)
• Dashboard and app training
• Post-installation technical support

Book Your Appointment

From ordering to the first live position on the map, the process takes less than 48 hours. There is nothing to prepare technically.

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