Can the Dash Cam Still Record After the Vehicle Is Turned Off?
3 Answers
If the dash cam has a parking monitoring function, it can still record after the vehicle is turned off. Below are the functions of a dash cam: 1. Record driving footage: It records information such as mileage and speed. Models with a GPS module can also track the vehicle's location and route. Analyzing the collected vehicle and driver operation data helps optimize vehicle performance and correct poor driving habits. 2. Alarm function: According to national standards, continuous driving should not exceed 4 hours, and driving time within 24 hours should not exceed 8 hours; otherwise, it will be considered fatigue driving. 3. Assist in determining traffic accident liability: It records the vehicle's driving status (speed, braking information, turn signals, doors, mileage, location, direction, etc.). By extracting the stored data from the dash cam, it can assist in scientifically determining liability in traffic accidents.
Whether a dash cam can continue recording after the vehicle is turned off depends on the specific situation. The most common issue is the power supply: if it's plugged into the cigarette lighter, the dash cam will stop working immediately after the car is turned off because the cigarette lighter loses power. However, if the vehicle supports delayed power supply or the dash cam has a built-in small battery or capacitor, it can continue recording for a short while. I've personally experienced this—once while waiting in a parked car, the dash cam recorded a passing motorcycle scraping the car after the engine was turned off, thanks to its built-in battery lasting about ten minutes. Nowadays, many new dash cams also feature a parking monitoring mode, which can automatically activate after the engine is turned off via motion sensors, but prolonged use of this function can easily drain the car battery. Therefore, the best advice is to check the dash cam's manual, configure the power mode properly, and avoid unexpected battery drain troubles.
From a safety perspective, I always remind people that dashcams can indeed record after the vehicle is turned off, but this depends on the configuration. If the dashcam is directly connected to the car battery's constant power line, such as using a voltage reducer or a dedicated device, it can operate continuously around the clock. In this case, if someone scratches your car at night or a thief approaches, it will automatically record video evidence, which is quite useful. However, there are significant risks: prolonged use can drain the battery, leading to a failure to start the next time. I recommend choosing a model that supports parking mode with short-duration monitoring; otherwise, manually turn it off when not in use to balance protection and convenience.
