Does the Dash Cam Continue Recording When Parked?
3 Answers
Automotive dash cams are equipped with a parking monitoring feature, but this does not mean continuous recording. The dash cam will automatically activate and enter recording mode only when the vehicle senses vibrations caused by external impacts. After recording for no more than 15 seconds, it will return to sleep mode. Most dash cams have similar parking monitoring setup methods. You can find the 'Parking Monitoring' option in the 'Settings' menu. Once the parking monitoring feature is enabled, the dash cam will automatically start recording a parking monitoring video when the car is subjected to external impacts, saving it in the emergency video folder. Upon restarting the vehicle, the dash cam will automatically switch back to the loop recording mode. It's important to note that the parking monitoring function of a dash cam can be powered either by the device's built-in battery or the car battery. In most cases, the car battery is used for power supply. When selecting a voltage reduction cable, it is recommended to choose one with both voltage reduction and low-voltage protection functions to prevent situations where the battery is drained and the car cannot start.
I'm the kind of tinkerer who loves playing with car electronics. Honestly, most dash cams can keep recording while parked, but only if you enable parking mode. It doesn't work automatically—you've got to manually set it up, like using a dedicated hardwire kit connected to the car's battery or relying on the cam's built-in backup battery. After using it for years, I've found plenty of benefits: capturing hit-and-runs or thieves, reducing post-parking disputes, especially when parked on unsafe streets or lots. But watch out for battery issues—setting it for too long or with unstable current might drain your car battery, especially in winter. I recommend checking its status weekly through the cam's app logs to ensure it's not idling. Bottom line: don't expect it to work by default—manual configuration is key, and it can save repair costs. Newer cams support motion sensor mode, activating only when movement's detected—a smart, practical design.
As an average car owner, I've had my car windows scratched several times after parking. It wasn't until I asked friends that I learned dash cams can record while parked. Guess what? It actually works, but you need to choose a dash cam with parking monitoring function and enable that option in the APP. I've tried connecting it to the battery via OBD port, which allows recording for a short while after turning off the engine. But don't let it record for too long, or the battery might drain, making it impossible to start the car the next day – that would be a big hassle. The benefits are obvious: it can capture footage of scratches or people tampering with your car, providing evidence if something happens. The downside is it consumes power, so I have to charge it regularly or use low-power mode. Also, extremely high temperatures can affect the dash cam's lifespan, so I recommend buying reputable brands with auto-shutdown features. Personally, I think this feature is worth it – a small cost for peace of mind.
