Time is crucial if you want to recover your Jeep. You can be a step ahead of the criminals and thanks to UConnect and other tracking methods, you track your vehicle and pinpoint its location. This information will be of great assistance to the authorities as they help you track the Jeep's movements and work on getting it back to you.
Mobile apps for cars issues highlights
- Howcommon:very common
- Main reasons:software glitch, connectivity problem, device problem
- DIY diagnosis:pretty complicated
- DIYrepair:sometimes possible
- Solutions:reupload the app,re-pairthe phone, turn off and on all the connections
- Can you drive?yes
- Price in dealership:$150 - $300
Jeep Connect
Jeep Connect is available for select Jeep models released in 2021 and later than that. Not only does it have stolen vehicle assistance, but it also has a vehicle theft alert, enabling a quicker response time. This increases the chances of you recovering your vehicle.
Aside from being an infotainment system, Jeep Connect also provides safety and security features, vehicle performance, and navigation features. With it, you can remotely control the functions of the vehicle and also get quick and reliable access to security and emergency services. The solutions will be in your hands, literally, as via your smartphone, you will have a connection to your Jeep.
Benefits of Having the Jeep UConnect Service
While it comes with a price, the benefits of having the Jeep UConnect service outweigh the cost. With Jeep Uconnect, you get many more benefits aside from being able to locate the vehicle. The following are some of the benefits of subscribing to Jeep UConnect:
- Get information that will help the authorities in tracking your stolen vehicle.
- The authorities will have an easier time locating your vehicle, thanks to GPS technology.
- Increase the chances of recovering your vehicle.
- Get an alert when the anti-theft features are triggered.
- Driving speed monitoring.
- Set the speed and boundary limits.
Vehicle Finder vs Stolen Vehicle Assistance
The Vehicle Finder and Stolen Vehicle Assistance are separate features that serve different purposes. Vehicle Finder functions only when there is a good cellular connection between your Jeep and your smartphone. It will not function when the vehicle is in motion or if more than 15 days elapse before the vehicle ignition is started.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance is useful when your Jeep is stolen. This can be activated after you get a case number from the police and communicate with a customer agent at SiriusXM Guardian. The information availed via this service will be helpful to the authorities as they locate your Jeep.
Keeping Uconnect in Check
To get the best of Uconnect, you need to ensure that it is working well at all times. By being at its best function at all times, you will be prepared for any eventuality. The following are some of the things that you can do to benefit from this service:
- Ensure that you are using the latest software.
- Ensuring that the subscription payments are up-to-date.
- Connect to your Jeep and ensure that the vehicle is within a cellular range that is active and usable.
What to do in case your Jeep is Stolen
When you are subscribed to the Jeep UConnect service, you will get an alert in case your vehicle is stolen. The vehicle theft alert system helps you to act quickly and take the first steps to recover your vehicle.
Stay calm and focused and take the following actions in case your Jeep is stolen:
- Report the stolen vehicle immediately to the police.
- Get a case number.
- Request for and start the Stolen Vehicle Assistance service. To do this, get in touch with GuardianTM.
- Contact your insurance company.
After you have done your part, you can let the authorities do their work. The law enforcement officer and the UConnect Customer Care Agent will work together to trace and retrieve your vehicle. The built-in wireless connection in your Jeep and the GPS technology will aid in locating your Jeep.
Other Methods of Tracking a Jeep
While you can track your Jeep with UConnect, you may want to consider additional methods of tracking. A backup to the backup plan is always welcome and may help in case a situation arises whereby you need to track your vehicle.
Some of the additional methods that you can use to track your Jeep include:
1) GPS Tracker
The GPS tracker is the most common tracking device in the auto industry. To determine the location of a vehicle, it uses GPS satellites to relay the information. This is a reliable method of tracking your vehicle as you can get information on its live location as and when need be.
2) Ignition Disabler
Using a smartphone app or a remote control fob, one can authorize the signal for a car's engine to be started. The advantage is that an engine will not start until the signal is received. By grounding the vehicle, the thief will not be able to get away with your Jeep.
However, the disadvantage is that this security system can be removed with a screwdriver. In addition to this, they don't work on engines that have a push-to-start button.
3) Kill Switch
A kill switch instantly stops a vehicle and is mostly used by authorities when they are in pursuit of a suspect who is on the run. Through the kill switch, some functions of the vehicle are disabled. By making some parts such as a battery inoperable, the criminal will not be able to use the vehicle.
4) OBD2 Adapter
The OBD2 Adapter is used in a similar way as an app tracking method. Aside from being able to have a record of your fuel consumption and driving habits, you can also track your Jeep and monitor its movements. To receive the GPS signal, the OBD2 device uses its GPS module and its in-built antenna.
An OBD2 Adapter is easy to install and you can easily plug and play it on your Jeep's onboard diagnostics port. This makes it a favorite tracking device over other tracking devices which require hardwiring to a vehicle's power, ignition, and ground.
5) Garmin
If you might have forgotten where you parked or if your vehicle is stolen, you can locate your Jeep using the Garmin Locate Vehicle feature. With the Garmin Tracker app, you can set up to 10 geofences and also locate your vehicle. You will have to get a Garmin device that has the best accuracy and reliable connection so as to track your Jeep with ease.
6) TomTom Navigation
You can pinpoint the location of your vehicle using the geolocation technology TomTom Navigation provides. The Geofencing feature will also alert you in case the vehicle displays unusual activity. By connecting the TomTom Navigation to your phone, you will be able to keep tabs on the route that your Jeep is using.
Placing Your Tracking Device
After getting the best tracking device that will suit your needs, you need to get a good location in which you can place it. The main thing to keep in mind is that it should be located in a position in which it shall get a good connection. Take your time to ensure that it receives a good connection, even if it shall be placed in a low-range area.
Some vehicle owners opt to have trackers placed in areas that are not too obvious to avoid them being yanked off by thieves who hamper your efforts to track down your vehicle. However, the type of product and design used for the tracking device also influences where you shall place it. The most common areas in which tracking devices are placed are:
- Front or rear bumper
- Glove box
- Directly on the engine bay
- Side storage in the trunk
- Beneath the car
- Centre console
- Beneath a car seat
- Door storage of the vehicle
- The lower side of a rear window
Conclusion
While on the road, there are many uncertainties that you may face. While the theft of a vehicle is an unfortunate occasion, you can be certain of your safety and security by taking necessary measures. You can track your Jeep with UConnect and other methods.
By subscribing to the service and using other tracking methods, you can have peace of mind. In the event that you need the Stolen Vehicle Assistance service, you will have an easier way to get access to information. The authorities will also be able to easily trace your vehicle, possibly getting the vehicle back to you. After all, it is your Jeep to keep!
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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