Can the Dash Cam Work After the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
The dash cam cannot operate when the car is turned off. The working principle of a dash cam is to digitally record and cyclically update the road conditions in front of or around the car, as well as record in-car audio, the car's acceleration, steering, and braking data. A dash cam consists of a microprocessor, data storage, real-time clock, display, lens module, operation keys, printer, and data communication interface. The functions of a dash cam include video recording, photo taking, preview, AVOUT function, screen display switching, screen saver, motion detection, and infrared night vision. The roles of a dash cam are: 1. To protect the driver's legal rights; 2. To serve as a parking monitor.
I remember when I first installed a dash cam, I always thought it would keep working after the car was turned off, but it actually depends on how you connect the power. If I usually power it through the car's cigarette lighter, the power cuts off when the engine stops, and the dash cam shuts down immediately. However, if it's connected to the car's constant power line, like those uninterrupted interfaces in the fuse box, it can continue recording until the car battery is drained. But doing this for a long time will deplete the battery, making it impossible to even start the car. So now I've bought a dash cam with a parking monitoring feature—it automatically turns on and records for a few minutes when it detects vibrations while parked, saving power and ensuring safety without worrying about forgetting to turn it off. When choosing such products, I recommend checking for battery protection features to avoid damaging the battery due to excessive discharge.
As an enthusiast who loves tinkering with car modifications, I believe whether a dash cam can operate after the engine is turned off depends on the power source. Connecting it to the cigarette lighter will shut it off with the key, while wiring it to a constant power port or directly to the battery allows continuous recording, but with risks: the car battery will gradually discharge. If you want it to work after shutdown, it's advisable to use a dash cam with low-voltage protection or specialized hardware, such as one that automatically powers off when the voltage drops to 12.2V, to avoid a dead battery. Also, ensure the wiring is correct—I've personally tested fuse box locations, as interfaces vary by car model, and mistakes could fry the circuit. For those who drive infrequently, simply enabling parking mode is sufficient, with motion-triggered recording being the most practical option.
