Will the Dash Cam Work When the Car is Not Started?
4 Answers
Dash cams will not record when the car is not powered on. Relevant information about dash cams is as follows: 1. Introduction One: Generally, dash cams are divided into two types—one with parking monitoring and one without. The type with parking monitoring can continue recording even when the car is turned off. Its working principle is that when the car body is impacted or when movement is detected in front of the car, the dash cam will automatically wake up and activate the monitoring function. 2. Introduction Two: However, this type of dash cam consumes power from the car battery. If left on for a long time, the car may not start due to battery drain.
I drove a ride-hailing car for seven years with a dashcam running 24/7. Some dashcams do operate when the car is off—they rely on built-in lithium batteries for a short while, but it doesn't last long, just a few hours before draining. Nowadays, dashcams come in two types: those plugged into the cigarette lighter only work when the ignition is on, while those connected to the fuse box or OBD port can keep recording after shutdown, like high-end models with 24/7 parking surveillance, such as top-tier models from brands like 70mai or DDPai. But beware of battery issues—my friend's old Camry once killed its battery after sitting idle for a week. For regular users, I recommend buying models with low-voltage auto-shutdown to protect the battery even during parking mode. If parked in risky areas, enabling motion detection is practical—it automatically records when someone approaches.
Last month, I just helped my dad install a new dash cam and researched this issue. Actually, the dash cam can work even when the car isn't started, but it depends on the installation method. Models plugged into the cigarette lighter only get power when the key is turned, and they shut off immediately when the key is removed. However, models connected to the fuse box for constant power, or those with super strong built-in batteries like the 360 G900, can support up to three hours of recording after the engine is off. I've seen some car models where the dashboard still has power after removing the key, and in those cases, the dash cam's power light stays on. But the risk of draining the battery is real, especially for older cars with smaller battery capacities—leaving it on overnight could completely drain the battery, which would be troublesome. For short-term parking, it's fine to keep the dash cam on to prevent scratches, but if the car won't be used for more than two days, it's better to unplug the power.
As a frequent road tripper, I've gone through three dash cams. Modern smart dash cams are really convenient - whether they keep recording after engine shutdown depends on having a parking monitoring module and the power source. Cigarette lighter power definitely won't work, but if connected to the constant power port in the fuse box with a super capacitor, it can record after shutdown. Some high-end models come with G-sensors that automatically activate 30-second recording after collisions to preserve evidence. Actually, most basic models shut down when the engine stops - power saving is crucial. Those claiming 24/7 monitoring just barely manage with low-voltage protection mechanisms.
