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In todays video I cover selecting a place to install your hidden tracker and what you will need to install one. I’m installing the CarLock tracker in my 2022 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6. The install took about 30 minutes using a few of the tools below.
I want to thank CarLock for sending us another tracker and the CarLock tag. We have been using Carlock for almost 2 years now you can check out our Full Review Video from last year.
Carlock 10% Discount Code = WORKPLAYDR10 for use on Amazon
Affiliate Links to Products seen in This video
- Carlock 2nd gen Advanced Tracker
- Carlock Tag
- Carlock optional power connector
- CarLock OBD Slim Extension Cable
- Energizer Lithium 2016 coin Battery
- Battery Tender Plus
Affiliate Links to Tools Used in This video
- Digital Multi-Meter
- Interior trim tools
- 64 Piece Socket Set
- Trim Clip pliers
- Trim clip popper
- Crimping tool
- T-Tap Connect Kit
What is Carlock?
Carlock is a real-time GPS car tracking and alert system. Because this device uses mobile connectivity to near-instantly send alerts to your phone and tracks your vehicle, there is a monthly service fee. For Carlock to work you need the device, an account on their site and the mobile app. If you buy from Amazon using the links below It’s pretty much risk free since Amazon allows 30 day returns in most areas and Carlock gives you the first month free. Once your free month expires, their monthly fee is $9.60, or you can go for a year for $113. There are no contracts you can stop using Carlock at any time. I’ll go into all the features in a moment; first, I want to cover the install.
Installing Carlock
Installing Carlock is simple. There are 3 options. The first is to simply plug it into your Onboard Diagnostics port, aka the OBD2 port. If you’re worried it sticks out or that it’s easy for a thief or your teen driver to spot, you can go with a right-angle cable extension to tuck it up under the dash. If you want to hide it somewhere in the car where no one will find it, grab the Carlock power connector and wire it directly to any always-on circuit or directly to the battery; if you go directly to the battery, just don’t forget to put a fuse in-line.
When mounting, I found I got the best shock sensitivity when I mounted it to the vehicle’s metal framing or the body. Stuffing it up under the dash zip-tied to a harness gave me almost no impact sensitivity.
After watching this video or reading this post, if you’re interested in grabbing a Carlock or any of the other items I show today, be sure to check the parts listed above or in the links throughout this article for my Amazon affiliate links. Every purchase you make from those links helps me pay for the products and tools I show in my videos.
Using Carlock
Once you’ve set up your Carlock account and a free month of service, download the app and log in. Carlock protection activates via the app. Simply close and lock your car, open the app, and hit the lock button. Carlock will now protect your vehicle while you’re away. You will get alerts for things like impact, if the car is started and if it’s moved.
Along with real-time GPS tracking, so you always know where your car is. If someone unplugs Carlock or disconnects the battery, you will also get an alert. Disconnected Carlock will continue to run and provide info for 20 minutes on its internal battery. To disable protection, open the app and tap the lock to turn off security.
Automating Carlock
Suppose you want to automate the protection process. In that case, you can use Carlock’s Timer feature, which enables Carlock 5 minutes after the engine turns off, or you can also schedule when Carlock should enable and disable.
Or even easier, grab a Carlock tag. Pair this tag with your Carlock app, then hide the Carlock tag anywhere in your vehicle. Now, every time you walk away from your vehicle, Carlock will enable, and every time you approach, it will disable. After months of getting in the car 3-5 times a day, I can say it works about 95% of the time. It doesn’t disable on rare occasions, and I get an alert that obnoxiously goes off in my pocket. …then, shortly after, it disables the security. An Energizer lithium coin battery for the Carlock tag lasts about 6 months in my experience. However, the original battery that came with mine only lasted 2 months, so you may want to have a replacement handy. I’ll drop a link to the Carlock Tag and quality replacement battery below.
Alerts and Notifications
Now let’s talk about that obnoxious alert. Carlock’s alert when your car is In protected mode is loud. It also drops notifications on your home screen for each event. Carlock recently introduced a new feature for the iPhone notifications to use Critical Alerts. When enabled, the alarm will sound and show notifications even when the phone is silent or in do not disturb.
…Even more features
In addition to parking security, Carlock is great for tracking teen drivers. You can enable Harsh Driving and Speeding notifications which will send alerts to your phone in real-time. Great for keeping track of your new drivers or what your car is up to when it’s in for service.
One additional feature that comes in handy is the real-time monitoring of the battery. When my Hellcat sat all winter after about 2-3 weeks, the battery would get low enough to start then throw a check engine due to the low voltages. Carlock keeps tabs on your battery and warns you when it’s low. Then from the comfort of my living room, I can say – “Alexa… charge Challenger battery.”
Annoyances
Now I already mentioned one of the annoyances where the App and Carlock tag doesn’t connect right away, so when you hop in the car and start it up, the Alarm is going off in your pocket. This isn’t a major deal; it stops after a few seconds and eventually connects. The second annoyance is specific to certain trickle chargers. Carlock uses the sudden change in voltage from 12 volts with the car off to the 14 volts from the alternator when on. I use the Battery Tender Plus, which floats most of the time then boosts to over 14 volts to charge the battery. This means if I enable Carlock in my garage with the trickle charger connected, I get car start notifications often when I’m sleeping.
My Opinion
Besides those 2 minor issues, Carlock has been an excellent product, and I plan to continue my subscription at the end of my sponsorship. If you were on the fence, I hope you found this video and article informative. If you’re looking for any of the products I mentioned, remember to check out my affiliate links posted above, and every purchase helps the channel.
Thank you
More Affiliate Links
- Auxbeam Lighting – 10% Discount code = WPD10
- Luxe Auto Concepts – 5% discount code = workplaydrive
- BlackBoxMyCar – 5% discount code = WorkPlayDrive off orders over $250
Recording Gear
Advanced Audio setup
- GoPro Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter HERO6 Black
- ZOOM H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder (Silver)
- 3.5mm Stereo cable
- Movo SMM5-R Portable Recorder Shock Mount
- Mount Bundle
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