Will the Dash Cam Continue Working After the Car is Turned Off?
3 Answers
Under normal circumstances, the dash cam cannot continue working after the car is turned off unless modifications are made. Here are the details: Reasons why it cannot continue working: Without modifications to the battery or power supply, dash cams usually draw power from the cigarette lighter port. Generally, the dash cam will shut down within a few seconds after the car is turned off, making it impossible to record while parked. Methods to achieve parking monitoring: Dash cams with parking monitoring typically draw power directly from the ACC fuse box via a step-down cable. When the vehicle is parked and turned off, the dash cam will automatically shut down (entering a low-power sleep mode). However, if it detects a collision or movement in front of the vehicle, it will immediately activate the parking monitoring function and record the surrounding footage. This ensures both the safety of the parked vehicle and energy efficiency, protecting the battery.
In my daily driving experience, whether a dashcam continues to operate after the car is turned off mainly depends on its power supply method and settings. If it's connected to the cigarette lighter, it usually powers off when the engine stops, because the cigarette lighter uses ACC power and automatically shuts down after the engine is off. However, some dashcams have built-in batteries or are directly connected to a constant power source, allowing them to keep running. I've tested this several times, especially in parking lots where it continues recording, monitoring the surroundings, which is quite practical. But be aware that battery-powered dashcams may have limited operating time and could drain the battery if left on for too long, potentially affecting the next startup. Therefore, I recommend setting it up based on your needs: choose a constant power connection if you need parking surveillance; opt for an auto-sleep mode if you're concerned about battery drain. This way, it saves fuel and battery life when the engine is off, while still recording any suspicious events.
I pay special attention to safety details, and whether the dashcam can operate after the engine is turned off affects anti-theft effectiveness. If the dashcam has a parking monitoring function, it is usually connected to a constant power source or has a built-in lithium battery, allowing it to continuously capture footage after the engine is off, which can deter thieves. From my experience, most high-end models come with this feature, but those powered by the standard cigarette lighter will shut down. The issue is the strain on the battery; prolonged operation may damage the car battery, and it can easily overheat in summer. I recommend choosing a model with motion detection, which only records movement events after the engine is off, saving power while maintaining security. Regular inspection of the wiring is also crucial. I take a quick look every week to ensure everything is functioning properly and to avoid unexpected malfunctions.
