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Adjusting the engine on/off detection

Configure your tracker to correctly detect when your engine is on or off for accurate tracking and alerts.

Why engine detection matters

Your tracker needs to know when your engine is on or off so it can:

  • Go to sleep when parked (to save your battery)
  • Record accurate journey data
  • Send correct alerts

Most vehicles work perfectly with the default settings, but some need adjustment.

How to access engine detection settings

  1. Log in to your Track My Ride account at https://app.trackmyride.com.au
  2. Go to the Vehicles page
  3. Click the pencil icon next to the vehicle you want to edit
  4. Find Engine detection in the popup

Engine detection methods

Your tracker can detect the engine is on using different methods:

1. Voltage detection (default)

How it works:

  • Engine off: Battery voltage is around 12.5V
  • Engine on: Alternator charges the battery, voltage rises to around 13.5V or higher

Default setting: Engine is considered "on" when voltage is 13.2V or higher (27V for trucks)

This works for most vehicles, but you might need to adjust it if:

  • Your vehicle has a high "float voltage" (some battery types naturally sit higher than 12.5V when off)
  • You're using a trickle charger/battery maintainer
  • You have a modern vehicle that turns off the alternator when the battery is full (for fuel efficiency)

How to adjust the voltage threshold:

Step 1: Find your vehicle's voltages

  1. Go to the Vehicles page
  2. Click on your vehicle row to expand it (or press the green + symbol)
  3. Look at the speed and voltage graph
  4. Find a section that shows both parked time and driving time
  5. Click and drag on the graph to zoom in
  6. Hover your mouse over the graph to see voltage readings

Step 2: Identify the right voltages

Look for:

  • Voltage when parked (engine off)
  • Voltage when driving (engine on)

Your threshold should be between these two numbers.

Example:

  • Parked voltage: 12.96V
  • Driving voltage: 14.59V
  • Good threshold: 13.2V (default) ✓

Step 3: Change the threshold

  1. Edit your vehicle settings
  2. Choose Voltage as the engine detection method
  3. Click Edit next to "Engine On Voltage"
  4. Select the voltage threshold that sits between your parked and driving voltages
  5. Save

Available thresholds:

  • Passenger vehicles: 13.2V, 13.4V, 13.6V, 13.8V, 14.0V, 14.2V
  • Trucks (24V): 27.0V, 27.5V, 28.0V, 28.5V, 29.0V, and up to 32.0V

2. Ignition sense wire (hardwired installs only)

How it works: Uses a wire connected to your vehicle's ignition circuit.

When to use it: Best for hardwired installations where you want precise detection.

How to set it up:

  1. Connect the Ignition/Acc wire (pin 5 on the 2x6 connector) to a circuit that is:
    • +12V or +24V when engine is on
    • 0V when engine is off
  2. Good connection point: Your radio's power circuit
  3. Select Ignition sense wire as your detection method in vehicle settings

⚠️ Important:

  • Don't connect to a circuit that's always powered – your tracker won't sleep
  • Don't connect to a digital signal line – check your vehicle manual
  • Accessories circuit vs Ignition circuit: Accessories turns on when the key is in ACC position (engine might not be running). Ignition only turns on when engine is actually running.

3. Motion detection

How it works: Detects when the vehicle is moving.

When to use it:

  • Vehicles without an accessible ignition circuit
  • As a backup method combined with voltage

Limitation: May give false alerts if your vehicle is parked near constant vibrations (construction sites, heavy traffic, etc.)

4. Combination methods (recommended for tricky vehicles)

Voltage OR Motion: Engine is "on" when:

  • Voltage is above your threshold (e.g., 13.2V), OR
  • Motion is detected for more than 1 second

Good for: Modern vehicles that turn off the alternator when the battery is full.

Voltage OR Ignition wire: Engine is "on" when:

  • Voltage is above your threshold, OR
  • Power detected on ignition wire

Good for: Extra reliability in hardwired installations.

Troubleshooting

Problem: False "engine on" alerts when parked

Solution:

  • Check your voltage threshold – it might be too low
  • If using a trickle charger, set threshold higher than the charger's voltage
  • Try a different detection method

Problem: Engine not being detected as "on"

Solution:

  • Check your voltage threshold – it might be too high
  • If hardwired with ignition wire, check the wire is connected to the right circuit (should be 0V when off, +12V/+24V when on)
  • Use the Raw GPS Data report to check voltage readings

Special notes

Modern vehicles with smart alternators: Some newer vehicles turn off the alternator when the battery is fully charged (for fuel economy). For these vehicles, use Voltage OR Motion detection method.

Using a trickle charger: Battery chargers raise voltage to around 14V, which tricks the tracker into thinking the engine is on. Set your voltage threshold higher than the charger's output, or use a different detection method.