Does the Dash Cam Still Record When the Car is Parked?

[JoshuaRose]

A dash cam typically operates using the car's electrical power. After the vehicle is parked and turned off, the dash cam stops working and no longer records. Automobile Dash Cam: The working principle of an automobile dash cam is to digitally record and cyclically update the road conditions in front of, inside, and around the vehicle. The recorded data includes in-car audio, the vehicle's acceleration, steering, and braking, among other details, which can be used for investigating traffic accident liabilities. Dash Cam Functions When the Car is Parked: When the car is parked, the dash cam can still record with three configurable functions: time-lapse recording, parking surveillance, and motion detection. Time-lapse recording allows for 24/7 recording, parking surveillance only records when the dash cam senses vibrations, and motion detection only records when there is movement within the dash cam's field of view. Although time-lapse recording can operate 24/7, when setting it up, you will find options such as 8 hours, 16 hours, and 24 hours. These options mean compressing a 24-hour long video into a shorter video of a few hours.

[SarahDella]

As an enthusiast who has used many dashcams, whether it continues recording after parking mainly depends on your settings. Many dashcams have a parking mode, which activates recording through motion detection or vibration sensors when enabled, capturing bumps or suspicious activities. Ensure the power supply is properly connected, such as directly to the car battery or OBD port, avoiding the cigarette lighter as it cuts power after parking, stopping the recording. I once had my car scratched and only found evidence thanks to the parking mode footage. But be mindful of battery drain; setting up low-voltage protection is crucial to avoid being unable to start the car in the morning. Choosing a product with intelligent power-saving features is best.

[DiIsabel]

As an average car owner, I always worry about whether my dash cam is working when parked. From my experience, most of the time it only records when parking mode is activated; otherwise, it automatically pauses when the engine is off. Parking mode is usually triggered by sensors and consumes a small amount of power, but not excessively. I recommend turning on this feature when parking on the street or in residential areas to prevent theft. Once, my parked car was hit by a bicycle, but fortunately, the dash cam captured the license plate, saving me a lot of trouble. Don't rely solely on USB for power; hardwiring to the battery is more reliable. Just check the settings before and after driving daily.

[Alex]

From a safety perspective, parking surveillance is quite important. I recommend enabling the recording function of the dashcam every time you park. It triggers recording through motion detection, which can deter thieves or minor accidents. However, avoid keeping the dashcam fully operational for extended periods, as it may drain the battery. It's best to set up automatic sleep and wake functions.