Does the Dash Cam Keep Recording After the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
After the car is turned off, the dash cam does not keep recording. The power source of the car dash cam is connected to the vehicle's ignition system. When the car is turned off, the ignition system loses power, so the connected dash cam also powers off. Continuous power supply would increase the battery consumption and wear out the car battery, but it can be manually turned on if needed. Considerations for installing a dash cam: 1. The camera should have a wide-angle lens to comprehensively record the surroundings of the vehicle; 2. The dash cam should have good video clarity and night recording capability; 3. Choose a model with high concealment to reduce the risk of theft or window smashing; 4. The mainstream video processor format is movavi format. In addition to mandatory installation on buses, coaches, and school buses, logistics and transportation companies are also starting to require dash cams, and the products must have 3C certification.
I found that whether a dash cam continues recording after the car is turned off mainly depends on its power supply method and settings. Most dash cams are connected to the cigarette lighter socket, so when the car is turned off, the power is cut off and recording naturally stops. However, some high-end models come with built-in small batteries or parking monitoring features, which can continue to supply power after the engine is off and automatically start recording when collisions or vibrations are detected to protect the vehicle's safety. I recommend checking your own dash cam's manual to see if there are relevant options; enabling parking monitoring is fine, but be careful not to drain the car battery, or you might not be able to start the car in the morning, especially with older models. As a DIY enthusiast, I've tried hardwiring it to the car battery for constant power, but you need to use a voltage regulator to prevent over-discharge. The process is quite simple as long as you follow the video tutorial step by step. Overall, standard dash cams won't record after the car is turned off, but if you choose a device with parking protection, you can shop or park overnight with peace of mind.
As a seasoned driver with long-term car usage experience, I can tell you that a dashcam's behavior after engine shutdown entirely depends on its configuration. The model I use, mounted on the windshield, enters standby mode when the car is off. But the moment someone approaches or lightly bumps the vehicle, its vibration sensor immediately activates and starts recording. This feature proves particularly useful in parking lots – last time when a careless driver reversed into my bumper, the footage perfectly captured the entire incident, helping me claim compensation. However, be mindful not to drain the car battery. I usually lower the sensitivity or set an auto-shutdown timer in the vehicle settings, since battery replacement costs more. For beginners, I recommend opting for reputable brands like Xiaomi models, which come with energy-saving mode enabled by default for safety. In daily use, parking surveillance is helpful but shouldn't be over-relied upon. Occasionally manually checking recordings helps prevent missing important events.
