Do Dash Cameras Record When your Car is Off?
Car dash cameras are hailed as essential tools for capturing crucial footage on the road, but what happens when the engine is turned off? Many drivers wonder whether dash cams continue to record when the vehicle is parked and unattended. Let’s shed some light on this common query.
In most cases, dash cameras do not record when the car is turned off and the engine is inactive. However, many modern dash cams feature a parking mode function that allows them to continue recording even when the vehicle is parked.
Parking mode is designed to monitor your vehicle while it’s parked, offering added security and surveillance against theft, vandalism, and accidents in parking lots or on the street. There are several types of parking modes:
- Motion Detection: Dash cams equipped with motion detection sensors can activate recording when movement is detected around the vehicle. This feature helps conserve storage space by only recording when activity is detected.
- Impact Detection: Some dash cams have G-sensors that detect sudden movements or impacts, such as a bump or collision. When triggered, the dash cam will start recording and save the footage as an event file for later review.
- Time-Lapse Recording: In time-lapse mode, the dash cam captures footage at regular intervals, providing a condensed overview of activity around the vehicle during parking periods.
It’s important to note that parking mode recording typically requires a constant power source, which can be achieved through hardwiring the dash cam to the vehicle’s battery or using a dedicated parking mode cable connected to the fuse box.
In conclusion, while dash cameras do not typically record when the car is off, parking mode functionality allows them to continue monitoring your vehicle and capturing important footage even when you’re not behind the wheel. Consider opting for a dash cam with parking mode capabilities for added peace of mind and security while your vehicle is parked.
