Does the Dash Cam Automatically Record While Driving?
2 Answers
The dash cam automatically starts recording every time the car is turned on. Depending on the model of the dash cam, there may be different scenarios, as detailed below: 1. For single-camera dash cams, which are typically powered by the car's cigarette lighter or other in-car power sources, there are two types: (1) Models with motion detection. These dash cams usually have a small built-in battery. After the car is turned off, they will automatically start recording if there is movement in front of the lens. The built-in battery is generally sufficient for one night in a relatively quiet parking lot, but it won’t last longer or work well in busier areas. (2) Models without motion detection. These dash cams shut down when the car is turned off and are essentially useless when parked. 2. Dual-camera dash cams, which have one camera at the front and one at the rear of the vehicle, are usually hardwired directly to the car battery via the fuse box. These dash cams continue to work at night because they draw power from the battery, making them suitable for outdoor or remote parking. The downside is that they drain the battery.
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and ever since I started using a dash cam, it's been designed to automatically record when the car is running. As soon as the car starts, power is supplied through the cigarette lighter or OBD port, and the dash cam immediately begins recording without any manual operation. This feature is quite reliable, saving me from constantly worrying about forgetting to turn it on. However, it's important to set the loop recording mode so that old footage is automatically overwritten when the memory card is full. The quality of the storage card matters—I recommend using a branded high-speed card and regularly checking its condition to avoid regrets after an incident. Automatic recording can sometimes be affected by weather, such as delayed startup in extremely cold conditions due to the battery, so it's a good idea to clean the dash cam's connection ports during routine car maintenance. Overall, it's a thoughtful design that significantly enhances driving safety.
