What does ACC mean on a dash cam?

[OJason]

ACC on a dash cam is the abbreviation for Adaptive Cruise Control, which is generally used in vehicles. Controlled by the vehicle's central control system, ACC is responsible for detecting the presence of vehicles ahead, automatically maintaining a safe distance from the preceding vehicle, and can apply automatic braking in emergency situations. The following are the functions of a dash cam: Recording travel routes: It can record the places the vehicle has been to and passed through. Reconstructing accident scenes: In the event of a collision, it can record the scene at the time of the accident, facilitating claims. Protecting the vehicle: Some dash cams are equipped with sound detection features. When parked, if someone touches the vehicle, it will automatically start recording, making it easier to report and claim later. Some have motion detection activation, automatically starting recording when an object passes through the detection area, making it convenient to gather evidence for claims. Description of dash cam keys is as follows: Video recording mode: After pressing the power on/off key or connecting the charger, the dash cam will automatically enter recording mode and start recording. At this time, the blue indicator light flashes. Press REC/SNAP to stop recording, and the indicator light stays on. Press the MENU key to enter the main menu. Photo mode: After turning on, press the MODE key to select and enter photo mode, then press REC/SNAP to take a photo. Press the MENU key to enter the submenu. Preview mode: Press the MODE key to enter preview mode, press UP and DOWN to select video files or photo files, press REC/SNAP to play or pause, and press MODE to exit preview. Date and time settings: In the video recording interface (when stopped), press the menu key, then press the MODE key, select Item, press MENU or REC to enter the next MENU, press MENU or REC to select the setting item. In the date and time setting interface, press REC or MENU to proceed to the next setting, use UP/DOWN to adjust year/month/day and time, and press MENU or REC to confirm and exit after setting. Generally, dash cams automatically turn on when the vehicle starts and automatically turn off after the engine is turned off, but they can automatically record for 3 to 6 hours after the engine is turned off: Powered by the cigarette lighter, these dash cams usually have built-in lithium batteries. When the vehicle is not started (ACC is off), they will record for a while using the lithium battery before shutting down. Dash cams connected to the battery and ACC power supply use the battery for power, with ACC only used for power detection. Generally, such dash cams also stop working when ACC is off. Some dash cams allow control over this shutdown time, and customers can request longer recording times after shutdown, but this is a personalized requirement. If the dash cam is directly powered by the battery instead of ACC, it will continue recording after the vehicle is turned off, which will definitely consume power. Generally, dash cams consume 12V, 200ma. If the vehicle battery is 60AH, theoretically, it would take 60/0.2=300 hours (over 12 days) to deplete the battery. A typical vehicle battery needs at least 30% charge reserved (up to 8.5 days of recording) to ensure normal startup. The exact duration can be calculated based on the battery used in the vehicle.

[DeJanelle]

The ACC on a dashcam, as I understand it, refers to the power supply from the car's ignition switch in the Accessory position. Simply put, when I drive and turn the key to the ACC position, the cigarette lighter or OBD interface in the car gets powered, and the dashcam connects via the ACC wire. It automatically starts recording when the car starts and shuts down when the engine is turned off, which is very convenient. I used to have a dashcam without ACC and often forgot to turn it on or off, which drained the car battery a few times. Now, with ACC mode, I don’t have to worry at all, and it even helps protect the battery life. Installation is also easy, as most cars have standard interfaces. ACC also prevents the dashcam from staying powered while parked, reducing the risk of accidents. This greatly benefits daily driving safety, and I recommend new car owners set it up this way.

[SanAniyah]

I've installed multiple dash cams, where ACC refers to the Accessory power input from the car's cigarette lighter. Simply put, it only supplies power when the car is turned to the ACC position. After connecting the dash cam to the ACC line, it starts recording when the car is turned on and stops working when the engine is off. This is safer than using constant power directly, preventing battery drain and damage. Be careful when wiring during installation—ensure the ACC line's positive and negative terminals are correctly connected to avoid short circuits. Additionally, the ACC mode is the most practical for daily use, while constant power is only needed when combined with parking monitoring. The benefit is automatic power management, which extends hardware lifespan and reduces human operational errors. New car owners should choose dash cams with ACC support and test power stability after installation.