Does the Dash Cam Record Continuously?
3 Answers
The dash cam does not record continuously. It relies on the vehicle's power supply to operate, so when the car is turned off and power is cut, the dash cam stops working. Dash cams without parking monitoring typically draw power from the car's cigarette lighter or USB port. When the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off, removing the key causes the car's electrical circuits to shut down, which automatically powers off the dash cam. Dash cams equipped with parking monitoring usually connect via a voltage reduction cable to the ACC fuse box for power. After the vehicle is parked and turned off, they enter an energy-saving sleep mode. If the car experiences an impact or detects movement in front, the parking monitoring function is immediately activated, capturing footage of the surroundings. Dash cams feature an incident lock function. In the event of an accident, the sudden violent shaking of the car triggers the dash cam to automatically recognize and lock the corresponding video segment. Locked videos can only be deleted manually from the locked recordings section; otherwise, they are preserved indefinitely.
I've been using a dash cam in my car for several years, and it basically records continuously. When you start the engine, it automatically begins recording and saves the footage onto the memory card. Since the card's capacity is limited, it automatically deletes the oldest videos when full, which is called loop recording. I usually set it to 1080p resolution, and the card can last about four to five days before looping. After parking, some models have a parking surveillance feature that intermittently records to monitor suspicious activity, but this requires an additional battery cable installation to avoid draining the car's battery. The key is in the settings—for example, lowering the resolution can extend recording time. Regularly checking the card's status is also crucial. I once didn't notice the card was full, and important accident footage got overwritten, so now I back it up every two weeks for safety. Having a dash cam gives me more peace of mind while driving, especially in traffic jams, as it serves as evidence if needed.
Dash cams typically operate in loop recording mode, continuously capturing footage but not with unlimited storage. They automatically overwrite old files to keep running, which is very useful for daily protection. In terms of settings, it's recommended to choose an appropriate resolution, such as 720p, to avoid high-definition footage occupying space too quickly and causing frequent video deletions. If the parking monitoring feature is enabled, it intermittently records the surroundings of the vehicle, but be mindful of the power connection, as it may drain the battery after the car is turned off. I make it a habit to check the indicator light before driving to confirm its status and ensure it starts properly. Regularly replacing the storage card with a high-speed one can extend its lifespan, and higher-end models even come with collision detection that automatically locks event recordings. Having one installed brings much peace of mind on the road, making accident responsibilities crystal clear.
