Does the dash cam still work when the car is turned off?

[LeLena]

The dash cam will stop working when the car is parked, but a small number of dash cams will continue to operate. Here is relevant information: 1. Whether it works depends on which vehicle wire the dash cam is connected to. Some factory-installed dash cams are connected to constant power, in which case they won't automatically turn off and can record 24/7. If connected to ACC, it will automatically shut off when the engine is turned off. 2. A dash cam is a device that records images, sounds, and other relevant information during vehicle operation. After installation, it can record the entire driving process in video and audio, providing evidence for traffic accidents. For those who enjoy self-driving tours, it can also be used to document the process of overcoming difficult and dangerous roads.

[EliRose]

It depends on how your dash cam is powered. I often tinker with these gadgets because if the dash cam is directly connected to the car's constant power (the one that always has electricity), it can keep recording after the engine is turned off. However, you need to be careful as prolonged use can drain the battery, leaving you unable to start the car. Some dash cams come with built-in small batteries or a parking monitoring mode, automatically switching to it when the engine is off, allowing them to record incidents like collisions. But if it's connected to the cigarette lighter or ACC port, it will shut off completely when the engine stops. I recommend choosing the right connection method during installation—adding a voltage regulator cable or setting a low-power mode can save you hassle, protecting your battery while ensuring safety. Parking monitoring is super practical, so don’t miss out on these small tricks.

[AmaraLynn]

I've encountered a similar situation before—the car stalled, the dash cam suddenly went black, and it was quite nerve-wracking. Mine was powered through the cigarette lighter, so it only turned on when the key was in, and shut off when the car was off, saving money and hassle. Later, I tried modifying it by connecting the power to a constant power fuse port, which allowed recording even after the engine was off, but it drained the battery quickly, forcing me to replace the battery to fix it. Don't rush into making changes—I suggest first checking your power connection and setting a parking mode in the manual or app, like recording only 30 seconds of events, which is both practical and doesn't harm the car. For daily driving, less tinkering and more maintenance is key. Safety comes first—don't let accidents go unrecorded.

[OBarrett]

I usually use it as a parking guard, and it works better after the engine is off. If the dash cam has a built-in lithium battery or a backup power source, it keeps running, recording collisions or suspicious activities. However, most basic models rely on the car's power supply and stop working once the engine is turned off. I've encountered battery drain issues before, so I later used low-power settings to limit its operating time. The key is safety first—either have it installed by a professional or adjust the APP settings properly.

[MaryLynn]

From a cost-saving perspective, whether the dashcam works after the engine is off depends on your choice. Budget models often rely on the cigarette lighter for power and turn off when the engine stops; upgraded versions have built-in batteries or dedicated wiring, costing a few hundred yuan more. I recommend choosing one with parking monitoring during installation and setting time controls, which both protects the battery and is practical. Battery issues should be prevented early, otherwise replacing a new battery can cost thousands—a small investment is worth it.