Does the Dash Cam Record When the Car is Parked?
3 Answers
If equipped with a parking monitoring feature, the dash cam can continue to operate after the vehicle is parked and turned off. However, the duration of operation will not be very long, as the dash cam's functionality depends on its own power supply. Once the vehicle is turned off, there is no power supply, so it can only operate for a short period. More details about dash cams are as follows: 1. Introduction One: Dash cams have two types of parking recording functions. One type records continuously as long as the car is running, also known as full-time recording. The other type relies on motion detection, meaning it only starts recording when the vehicle experiences movement. Dash cams with this feature cannot continue recording after the vehicle is turned off. 2. Introduction Two: Some dash cams come with their own batteries, but the battery life is limited. Some can only record for half an hour. Therefore, if the owner wants to record the vehicle around the clock, it is almost impossible unless the car is running 24/7. Without the vehicle running and no power supply, relying solely on the dash cam's built-in battery makes continuous recording difficult.
When I first bought my car, I was also curious whether the dashcam could record while parked. It depends on whether your dashcam has a dedicated parking monitoring feature. Many high-end models come with motion detection or vibration sensors. Once the car is turned off, it switches to a low-power mode. If it detects movement around the car or a collision, it automatically starts recording. When setting it up, make sure the power is connected to the constant power line in the fuse box, so it can still supply power when the car is off. Otherwise, if it's only connected to the cigarette lighter, it will shut off once the car is parked. Parking recording is especially useful for preventing scratches or vandalism, as it can capture crucial evidence. The downside is that it may drain the car battery, especially in winter if the car is left unused for too long, so it's recommended to use a voltage protector. If you want to confirm whether parking mode is enabled, check the app settings according to the manual and regularly back up the videos on the memory card.
What puts my mind most at ease when driving out is that the dash cam keeps recording even when parked, which is especially important for parents like me with kids. It monitors around the vehicle while parked, automatically activating to record if incidents like kids on bikes hitting the doors or vandals scratching the paint occur. Not all dash cams have this feature—only models with parking protection do, so you need to check the specifications when purchasing. I usually have the device automatically check its status while charging overnight and set moderate sensitivity to avoid constant triggering by minor movements that could fill up the memory. Once, it actually recorded a parking scrape, and the footage helped resolve the dispute with traffic police effortlessly—quite hassle-free. Just remember not to leave it on for too long to avoid draining the battery, and perform regular checks. Spending a little for safety is worth it.
