A device for locating a parked vehicle has a remote mobile unit with an aerodynamic housing, including a base and a transparent lens covering an illuminating visual indicator, such as a strobe light. The base contains a battery power source, an electronic sound emitter and control circuitry, including a radio signal transceiver and a spread spectrum processor. An adhesive membrane layer on the bottom of the base facilitates quick and easy attachment to a vehicle, at a location which is easily visible from a distance (e.g. the roof or other high exterior position). A wireless handheld control unit has an internal I/O processor, pushbuttons for entering commands, a spread spectrum processor and a radio transceiver and antenna for sending and receiving spread spectrum signals to and from the transceiver in the mobile unit in order to selectively activate and deactivate the illuminating visual indicator and sound emitter. The distinct emitted sound and flash sequence and/or rhythm of the illuminating indicator can be selectively programmed and/or changed by the user with the wireless handheld unit. The sound emitter and illuminating indicator have a respective audible and visual range of at least 1,000 feet.