Will the Dash Cam Still Record When the Car is Turned Off?

[MacGemma]

When the car is turned off, the dash cam will usually stop working, but a small number of dash cams may continue to operate. Whether it works or not depends on which vehicle wire the dash cam is connected to. Below is relevant information: Dash Cam: A dash cam is a device that records images, sounds, and other related information during vehicle travel. After installation, it can record the entire driving process in video and audio, providing evidence for traffic accidents. Classification: Dash cams are mainly divided into two categories: portable dash cams and aftermarket in-dash DVD dash cams. Portable dash cams can be further divided into rearview mirror dash cams and data dash cams.

[DiAthena]

My car is equipped with a front and rear dual dash cam, and whether it can record after the engine is off mainly depends on how it's powered. If the dash cam is directly plugged into the cigarette lighter, most cars will cut power as soon as the engine is turned off, so it definitely won't record. However, if it's connected to a constant power source from the fuse box or the dash cam has its own lithium battery, it can continue working even after the engine is off. Last time my car door was scratched, it was caught by the parking surveillance. But be careful, long-term connection to constant power can easily drain the car battery, especially for older cars with weak batteries, which might not start in the morning. If 24-hour monitoring isn't necessary, it's recommended to set it to vibration-triggered recording, which saves power and still works when needed. Also, during hot summer days, it's best not to let the dash cam run continuously as it can overheat and crash.

[VonElliana]

I've had the dash cam in my SUV for three years now, and I've specifically researched the issue of recording after the engine is turned off. It actually depends on the vehicle's power supply design and the dash cam's own functions. For most economy cars, the cigarette lighter cuts power when the engine is off, so naturally, it can't record. However, dash cams with parking monitoring functions usually need to be connected to a constant power line in the fuse box, which allows them to continue recording even when the engine is off. My neighbor's car was once scratched after being parked, and the incident was caught entirely by the parking monitoring. But it's important to note that continuous power supply can drain the battery significantly, especially in winter, where it might deplete the battery in just two or three days. Dash cams with built-in batteries are convenient, but their battery capacity is small, and they're prone to swelling under high temperatures, making them less stable than those connected to a constant power source.

[JaydenRose]

Whether a dash cam continues working after the engine is off depends on its power supply method. For vehicles using the standard cigarette lighter power source, the camera shuts off immediately when the engine stops. However, my dash cam is hardwired to the fuse box, allowing it to record for an additional eight hours after parking. Many newer dash cams now feature a G-sensor function, automatically entering standby mode when the engine is off and only activating to record upon detecting vehicle impact. This design saves power while capturing unexpected incidents. I recommend checking the standby current parameter in the manual—avoid long-term connection if it exceeds 50mA. Also, remember to turn off the dash cam screen when parking outdoors in summer to prevent overheating. Once, my dash cam screen got warped from sun exposure.

[VonMolly]

I'm someone who pays close attention to vehicle safety and have specifically tested dash cams' performance after the engine is turned off. The conclusion is: whether it can continue recording depends 70% on wiring and 30% on the product itself. Those connected to the cigarette lighter will definitely stop working, but ones wired to the reading light or constant power from the fuse box can keep operating. My 70mai dash cam comes with a super capacitor, allowing it to record for three minutes after shutdown using residual power - enough to capture door collision incidents. Special caution is needed for older cars - don't modify wiring recklessly. A colleague's old Passat had its battery die within a week after connecting to constant power. Nowadays, factory-installed dash cams in mid-to-high-end models mostly support collision-triggered recording, which is the most reasonable solution.