Does the Dash Cam Still Record When the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
When the car is turned off, the dash cam will stop recording as it relies on the car's electrical power to operate. Once the vehicle is powered down, the dash cam ceases to function. The purposes of a dash cam include: 1. Recording video and audio of the entire driving process; 2. Serving as a parking monitor; 3. Providing footage to assist in accident resolution. Installation steps for a dash cam: 1. Mount the dash cam rearview mirror; 2. Route the wiring; 3. Install the camera near the rear license plate; 4. Connect the camera wiring harness to the dash cam. How to use a dash cam: 1. Insert the memory card and press the power button to turn it on; 2. Press the mode button to switch between video recording, photo taking, and preview modes; 3. Selecting video recording mode will automatically start recording.
Whether the dash cam continues recording after the engine is turned off depends on its power connection. In my own car, I noticed the dash cam sometimes stayed on after turning off the engine. Later, I realized it was connected to a constant power source, meaning it always has electricity, so it keeps recording after parking. However, this drains the car battery significantly. If the car isn't driven for a few days, the battery can be depleted, making it hard to start. Some dash cams are connected to the ACC power source and automatically turn off when the engine is shut off. Models with built-in batteries are more flexible—they can record for a short while after parking, maybe 5-10 minutes, which is useful for monitoring parking lot activity. I often forgot about this until I installed a mobile app to control the switch. Now, I check it right after turning off the engine to avoid unexpected power drain. If you suspect an issue with your dash cam, a simple way to check is to observe whether its indicator light stays on after turning off the engine.
Wondering if the dash cam can keep working after the engine is turned off, as someone who enjoys tinkering with cars, I'd first check the power connection. Most dash cams rely on the car's power supply, with two connection methods: constant power or ACC. If connected to constant power, the dash cam continues recording after the engine is off, but prolonged use can drain the car battery. ACC cuts power when the engine is off. Testing it yourself is simple: start the car to let the dash cam run, then turn off the engine and remove the key to see if the dash cam screen or indicator light turns off. Models with built-in batteries might maintain operation briefly, but the power is limited. I recommend regularly checking for aging wiring and, if necessary, changing the power source type in the fuse box to avoid battery drain. Be cautious when enabling parking monitoring features while parked.
