Does the Dash Cam Still Work When the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
When the vehicle is in the turned-off state, since the engine is not running, the vehicle's alternator also does not work. If the dash cam is turned on, it can only rely on the battery for power supply, thus consuming the battery's power. It is not recommended to use it in this way for an extended period. More information about dash cams is as follows: 1. The working power of the dash cam is provided by the car, so it can only operate when the car is running. 2. Some dash cams have battery power, but the capacity is too small to support long-term power supply. 3. Connecting the dash cam to the car battery will cause the battery to discharge for a long time, affecting the battery's lifespan.
I think this is a very common question. Based on our daily car usage experience, dash cams usually stop working after the engine is turned off because they are mostly connected to the cigarette lighter power source, which loses power when the car is off. However, some dash cams have built-in batteries or are set to parking surveillance mode, allowing them to continue recording for a few hours after the engine is turned off to capture collisions or movements—though this will accelerate car battery drain, so you should regularly check battery health. I've seen many car owners overlook this, leading to a dead battery when trying to start the car. That's why I recommend enabling the battery protection feature in the app settings. If you often park outdoors, choosing a dash cam with low-power monitoring would be more practical, but remember not to leave the car idle for too long. Overall, whether it works or not depends on the product design and your installation method.
As someone who loves tinkering with car gadgets, whether a dashcam keeps working after the engine is off mainly depends on its power supply. If powered through the cigarette lighter (ACC power), the dashcam shuts down immediately when the engine is turned off. However, if connected to the fuse box's constant power circuit or equipped with a built-in lithium battery, it can continue operating in parking surveillance mode after shutdown, automatically recording emergencies via sensors. That said, I must emphasize this can easily drain the car battery, so opting for models with intelligent power-saving or timed shutdown features is wiser. When installing it yourself, consult someone knowledgeable about car electronics to avoid short circuits from improper wiring. Generally, most standard dashcams stop when the engine is off, but higher-end versions can achieve continuous operation for enhanced protection.
