How Long Can Tesla Dash Cam Footage Be Saved?

[OliviaFitz]

Tesla dash cam footage can typically be saved on the memory card for one to two years under normal conditions. The duration before the footage is overwritten depends on the maximum supported capacity of the dash cam and the size of the memory card. Below is additional information about dash cam memory cards: 1. Common memory card sizes for dash cams on the market: Most dash cams support 32G, while some support 64G. The Mingju M2 panoramic dash cam, an industry-first national patent-subsidized product, features 4 lenses, dual 1440P resolution, dual WiFi, and dual memory, supporting up to 256G—currently the largest supported capacity for dash cams. Due to technological and cost limitations, dash cams usually have capacity restrictions. For example, a dash cam that supports up to 32G can only recognize the first 32G of a 64G card, rendering the remaining capacity unusable. Therefore, using a 64G memory card in a 32G-limited dash cam is wasteful, as it can only utilize 32G of the 64G or may not recognize the excess capacity at all. 2. How to evaluate the quality of a dash cam: Assess based on the memory usage over time. For a 32G memory card at the mainstream 1080p resolution (which is not ideal), approximately 120MB of storage is needed per minute of recording, equating to about 7G per hour. For 720p resolution (an outdated standard), around 80MB per minute or 4.7G per hour is required. Many 720p or 1080p dash cams are misleadingly marketed as "high-definition," falsely claiming to match 1296p or 1440p (currently the highest resolution). With a 32G memory card, a 1080p dash cam can record continuously for about 4.5 hours. For dual-lens setups (sharing one memory card), with the front camera at 1080p and the rear at 720p (the highest resolution supported for rear cameras in China), recording time drops to approximately 3 hours. Notably, the Mingju M2 is the first domestic dash cam to support 1080p for both side and rear views.

[VonGarrett]

Well, as a long-time Tesla owner who frequently drives long distances, I have to say the dashcam's storage duration really depends on the USB size and settings. I use a 64GB USB, and in HD mode, it can store about three days' worth of footage, but it gets overwritten faster if there are accidents or incidents on the road. Loop recording is automatic—once the drive is full, it deletes the oldest files. I remember once during a highway rear-end collision, hitting the save button at the critical moment preserved the evidence. Now, after upgrading to a 128GB USB, storing five days' worth is much easier. Make sure to choose a reliable USB—don’t go for cheap ones, as they tend to fail. Enabling Sentry Mode to record extra footage while parked is useful, but it drains the battery significantly and affects range. I recommend cleaning the USB or replacing it monthly and developing a habit of checking the footage after parking. Safe driving comes first—don’t rely on it storing footage for too long.

[TessaFitz]

Let's talk about the technical details. The video retention time of Tesla's dashcam primarily depends on USB capacity and video quality settings. At standard resolution, a 64GB drive can store approximately 48 hours of footage, while high resolution fills up the drive faster. Videos are recorded in 10-minute segments with loop overwriting of old files. The USB must be formatted to FAT32 or exFAT systems. The event save feature can lock important clips to prevent overwriting. I've tested a 128GB drive which doubles the storage time compared to 64GB, providing more peace of mind. USB health is also crucial, as a faulty drive can lead to data loss. Adjusting resolution can optimize storage - while HD is better quality, it consumes more space. Always ensure the USB port connection is secure to avoid loose connections affecting functionality.

[BrandonFitz]

From a safety perspective, dashcam footage has a short retention period, typically just a few days, with a high risk of being overwritten. Having used Tesla for years, I strongly recommend pressing the save button immediately during an incident to lock the video. Loop recording may cause old content to be lost at any time. USB capacity is crucial—64GB is slightly small, while 128GB is more stable. Develop a habit of regularly backing up videos to your phone, such as checking on weekends. Safety comes first; insufficient storage is a critical flaw, so don’t rely on it entirely.