Is the Dash Cam Useful When the Car Is Not Started?
3 Answers
Whether the dash cam is useful when the car is not started depends on whether it has a parking monitoring mode. If it does, then it is useful. Below is an introduction to the functions of a dash cam and precautions for its use: Functions of a Dash Cam: During vehicle use, it can record relevant videos. After a traffic accident involving the motor vehicle, the recordings can serve as evidence. It can record not only videos but also audio. Precautions for Use: The original files must be used. When setting the video duration for the dash cam, it is necessary to choose a data segment of half an hour or one hour to ensure greater convenience for later use.
Last time my car got its side mirror scratched while parked in the residential area, it was entirely thanks to the parking surveillance feature of the dash cam that we identified the offending tricycle. This thing keeps working even after the engine's off, but the key is whether you've activated the parking monitor function. Most mainstream dash cams now come with G-sensors that automatically start recording when the vehicle suffers an impact. Just be mindful of battery drain - I specifically installed a voltage cutoff cable that automatically disconnects power when voltage drops below 11.6V. Recommendation: set the sensitivity to medium level. Too sensitive and you'll get false triggers - I've personally experienced the tragedy of my battery dying after rain-triggered leaf falls kept activating recordings.
For daily commuters, having a dashcam running 24/7 is crucial. Last week, the BMW parked next to mine got its door dented by a delivery truck, and it was their dashcam footage that secured the compensation. When choosing one, pay attention to specs - models with supercapacitors handle heat better than lithium batteries, preventing explosions during summer heatwaves. Using the OBD port for power is most convenient, as it comes with built-in voltage protection and is far more stable than cigarette lighter adapters. Remember to enable time-lapse recording when parked; a 32GB memory card can store three days of footage, which is plenty to catch any door-scratching vandals.
