Suction Cup Tips
Over the years I've become really good at getting GPS suction cup mounts to stick, and I've learned quite a few tricks along the way. Often you can just take the mount out of the box, press it up against the windshield, and drive away. Other times you might not be so lucky. If your suction cup has lost its suck, and you are beginning to think the mount sucks, here are some tips.
Clean Dry Surfaces Work Best
Make sure both the inside of the suction cup and your windshield are clean and dry. To clean both surfaces, I like to use rubbing alcohol since it tends to dry quickly, although glass cleaners will work well too. Particularly if your mount has recently fallen you might see a "ring around the mount" on your windshield. So make sure both surfaces are clean and dry.
Temperature Can Have an Impact Too
If your mount has been inside your air conditioned home and you take it out to your car which is 130° baking in the sun, you might not have optimal results. You may want to wait until morning when your car is cooler and closer to the temperature of the mount. The more similar the temperatures are between the mount and windshield, and the closer those temperatures are to "room" temperature, the better results you will have.
A Little Moisture Can Help Keep the Seal
I know, I know, I just said above that you should keep both surfaces clean and dry, but that was referring to whatever you might have used to clean the cup. A tiny bit of water (not drenched) on the suction cup can help it keep the seal. Spread the drops of water around with your finger. If no water is handy and nobody is looking, a little spit can work well too. A tiny bit of Petroleum Jelly (aka Vaseline) can work really well too. The key is to not get too much moisture... just barely enough to coat the surface. Again, whatever you use, use a tiny amount and try to spread it around with your finger to just barely coat the entire surface.
Apply Firm Pressure and Hold
Find your target on the windshield, press it on, and apply firm pressure to the center of the mount. What you are doing, and want to do, is to push all of the trapped air between the mount and the windshield out from behind the mount. Kinda like squishing the air from a whoopie-cushion but there will be no sound. Try not to let the mount slide (if it slides easily you might have used too much moisture) and keep firm pressure for about fifteen seconds.
Drive Happy, Keep a Cloth in Your Car
Using this process should ensure a good seal and make your mount stick. Don't forget that thieves know what GPS mounts look like and if they see one in your car, they might break in to look for the GPS. The same even goes for the "ring around the mount" left on your windshield. Even finding that ring might give them enough incentive to break-in looking for the GPS you are hiding in the center console or glove compartment, so keep a cloth handy to wipe away any signs of the GPS if you must leave your car unattended.
Over the years I've become really good at getting GPS suction cup mounts to stick, and I've learned quite a few tricks along the way. Often you can just take the mount out of the box, press it up against the windshield, and drive away. Other times you might not be so lucky. If your suction cup has lost its suck, and you are beginning to think the mount sucks, here are some tips.
Clean Dry Surfaces Work Best
Make sure both the inside of the suction cup and your windshield are clean and dry. To clean both surfaces, I like to use rubbing alcohol since it tends to dry quickly, although glass cleaners will work well too. Particularly if your mount has recently fallen you might see a "ring around the mount" on your windshield. So make sure both surfaces are clean and dry.
Temperature Can Have an Impact Too
If your mount has been inside your air conditioned home and you take it out to your car which is 130° baking in the sun, you might not have optimal results. You may want to wait until morning when your car is cooler and closer to the temperature of the mount. The more similar the temperatures are between the mount and windshield, and the closer those temperatures are to "room" temperature, the better results you will have.
A Little Moisture Can Help Keep the Seal
I know, I know, I just said above that you should keep both surfaces clean and dry, but that was referring to whatever you might have used to clean the cup. A tiny bit of water (not drenched) on the suction cup can help it keep the seal. Spread the drops of water around with your finger. If no water is handy and nobody is looking, a little spit can work well too. A tiny bit of Petroleum Jelly (aka Vaseline) can work really well too. The key is to not get too much moisture... just barely enough to coat the surface. Again, whatever you use, use a tiny amount and try to spread it around with your finger to just barely coat the entire surface.
Apply Firm Pressure and Hold
Find your target on the windshield, press it on, and apply firm pressure to the center of the mount. What you are doing, and want to do, is to push all of the trapped air between the mount and the windshield out from behind the mount. Kinda like squishing the air from a whoopie-cushion but there will be no sound. Try not to let the mount slide (if it slides easily you might have used too much moisture) and keep firm pressure for about fifteen seconds.
Drive Happy, Keep a Cloth in Your Car
Using this process should ensure a good seal and make your mount stick. Don't forget that thieves know what GPS mounts look like and if they see one in your car, they might break in to look for the GPS. The same even goes for the "ring around the mount" left on your windshield. Even finding that ring might give them enough incentive to break-in looking for the GPS you are hiding in the center console or glove compartment, so keep a cloth handy to wipe away any signs of the GPS if you must leave your car unattended.
I have tried friction mount unfortunately it does NOT fit on the area where you intend to put the mount in the dashboard of vehicle (tip-depends on your vehicle, make sure it fits in the area of your dashboard before buying)
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