Can the car dash cam still record after the engine is turned off?
3 Answers
The car dash cam cannot record after the engine is turned off. The power supply of the car dash cam is connected to the vehicle's ignition system. When the car is turned off, the ignition system loses power, so the connected dash cam will also power off simultaneously. Keeping it constantly powered would increase power consumption from the car battery and cause battery wear, though it can be manually turned on. A dash cam is an instrument that records images, sounds, and other related information during vehicle operation. After installing a dash cam, it can record the entire driving process with video and audio, providing evidence for traffic accidents. It continuously records while driving, capturing time, speed, and location in the footage, functioning similarly to a black box.
As a long-haul driver, I believe whether a dash cam can record after the engine is turned off depends on the specific situation. Most basic models use the cigarette lighter for power, so when the car's power is cut off after shutting down, the dash cam automatically turns off. However, if the dash cam supports parking monitoring or is hardwired through the fuse box, it can continue to operate after the engine is turned off. These devices usually have built-in backup batteries or capacitors that can detect vibrations or motion to start recording, protecting the vehicle from accidents while parked. I recommend checking the dash cam settings, such as enabling parking mode in the mobile app, and installing a voltage regulator to prevent the battery from draining too quickly. This not only ensures safety but also makes it easy to review footage later, avoiding situations where you can't hold anyone accountable for scratches in the parking lot.
I've been driving on the road for many years and have encountered this issue quite often. Whether a dashcam can record after the engine is turned off mainly depends on its power source. Those plugged into the cigarette lighter usually stop working when the engine is off, but if you've connected it to the fuse box with a dedicated power line, it can continue to receive power for monitoring. My dashcam has a parking guard feature; once set up, it triggers recording upon detecting vibrations even when the engine is off, and its built-in small battery can last for several hours without any issues. The related benefit is being able to record unexpected incidents while parked, such as bird strikes or passing collisions. However, it's important to pay attention to battery health, as frequent use might lead to early battery drain. I usually activate this mode when parking overnight in a safe area. The operation steps are generally outlined in the dashcam's manual, and choosing a reliable model during installation can save a lot of hassle.
