Can the Dash Cam Work When the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
Dash cams can work when the car is turned off, provided that the device has a parking monitoring (motion detection) function. The parking monitoring feature requires the dash cam to have a built-in battery or to be connected to the ACC fuse for power supply. After the vehicle is turned off, the dash cam automatically enters parking monitoring mode, where its sensors continuously monitor the vehicle's condition. If any abnormality or vibration is detected, it will automatically record the monitoring video and save it separately. Compared to constant power connection, dash cams with parking monitoring connected to the ACC fuse are more energy-efficient and have less impact on the car battery. However, if the vehicle is left unused for several consecutive days, this may still lead to battery drain and difficulty starting the car.
Regarding whether a dash cam can be used after the car is turned off, I'd say it depends on the power supply. If it's plugged into the cigarette lighter, the power cuts off as soon as the car is turned off, and the dash cam shuts down too, unable to record anything. However, some newer dash cams have built-in small batteries that can keep them running for a few minutes or hours after the car is turned off, which is suitable for temporary parking surveillance. I've seen many people connect their dash cams to the car's constant power circuit for around-the-clock protection, allowing the dash cam to continue working even after the car is turned off, and even automatically detecting impacts to start recording. But it's worth noting that prolonged use can easily drain the car battery, making it difficult to start the car next time, so it's important to use it judiciously.
Can the dash cam still work after the car is turned off? My experience is that sometimes it can, sometimes it can't. The one in my car is plugged into the cigarette lighter and turns off automatically when the engine stops; later I switched to one with a built-in battery, which can record for about half an hour when I temporarily leave the car. Nowadays, parking monitoring is popular, where the dash cam is directly connected to the fuse box wiring, allowing it to work normally even when the car is turned off, but it poses a high risk of battery drain. I have a friend whose battery was completely drained after leaving it on overnight. It's advisable to turn off unnecessary functions when parked, keeping only basic monitoring. For peace of mind, choose a product with a low-power mode to balance safety and convenience.
