Does a Car Dash Cam Record When the Vehicle Is Not in Use?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, a dash cam does not record when the vehicle is not in use. Here are some details about dash cams: 1. Memory Card Selection: Dash cam memory cards on the market generally come in capacities of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB, which can be chosen based on needs. Dash cams record in loops, but to save as much footage as possible, it is recommended to use a 16GB or 32GB memory card. 2. Dash Cam: The required memory card size for a dash cam primarily depends on the video quality. Most dash cams on the market offer 720p and 1080p resolutions. For a 1080p dash cam, a 4GB memory card can only record for about an hour. 3. Special Cases: If the dash cam is equipped with a parking monitoring feature, even when the vehicle is turned off and the dash cam shuts down automatically, it will immediately activate the parking monitoring function if the vehicle is bumped or detects movement in front, recording the surrounding footage. In such cases, the dash cam may still record video even when the vehicle is not in use.
Many dash cams do have parking monitoring features that can record when the car is off. From a technical perspective, high-end models often come with built-in G-sensors, allowing them to rely on battery power to detect surrounding movements—like minor impacts or suspicious activities—even after the engine is turned off. To keep it running, you’ll need to ensure it’s connected to the cigarette lighter or hardwired to the car battery—though be cautious, as this can help preserve accident evidence but may also drain the battery over time. I’ve used one with motion detection—easy to set up—and it captured a parking lot scrape perfectly, saving me a lot of hassle. Remember to check settings regularly, as some modes activate only upon impact, balancing power efficiency and practicality. Overall, this feature is worth it for protecting your car.
