Can a dash cam continue recording after the car is turned off?
2 Answers
If the dash cam is equipped with a parking monitoring function, it can continue recording after the vehicle is turned off. However, the recording time is not long since the dash cam is not being charged when the vehicle is off. There are two types of parking monitoring functions for dash cams: one is continuous recording, and the other is short-term recording that only activates when the vehicle detects vibrations. The main functions of a dash cam are as follows: 1. Preventing fraud: In cases where accident evidence is unclear or the accident scene is disrupted, the dash cam can retain valid video as evidence. 2. Dealing with minor collisions: The dash cam can provide direct and reliable video evidence, allowing both drivers to quickly leave the scene without waiting for traffic police for a long time, thus avoiding road congestion. 3. Encountering sudden road conditions: The dash cam can also provide solid evidence and news leads. 4. Serving as a parking monitor: When connected to a direct power supply, the dash cam can function as a parking monitor.
To be honest, dash cams can indeed continue recording after the car is turned off and parked, depending on how they're powered. From my experience, most dash cams use the cigarette lighter power source, so once the car is turned off and power is cut, they definitely can't record anymore. However, some models come with small built-in batteries or can be hardwired to the vehicle's battery, supporting parking surveillance mode—it detects vehicle vibrations or movement around the car and automatically starts recording. This way, in parking lots or at night, it can help capture evidence of scratches or thieves. The issue is that this can easily drain the car battery, especially older ones that can't last very long. My advice is to choose a dash cam with an ultra-low-power parking mode when buying one, and consult a professional to properly secure the wiring to avoid the car not starting. Regularly checking the battery voltage is also crucial—don't cut corners and end up with bigger problems.
