If you are interested in protecting your car at night but unsure if dash cameras work when the car is off, you are in the right place. In this article, you will be able to read in-depth information on keeping your car safe and secure while it is not working, and most importantly, read the answer to one of the most commonly asked dash-cam-related questions – do dash cameras work when the car is off?
So, if this sounds like something you might be interested in, ensure to keep reading this article until the end.
Do Dash Cameras Work When the Car Is Off?
As the dash camera’s main purpose is to protect your vehicle from possible intruders and record footage in emergencies and accidents, it is no wonder you are asking if dash cameras work when the car is off. Although each dash camera comes with unique and various features and options, depending on its type, brand, and price, dash cams usually have a feature to record while the car is off.
But, as there are particular factors that might influence whether your dash cam can work when the car is off or not, read in continuation what you can do so that you ensure yourself the best possible dash cam car protection ever, even when your car is off.
The source of the dash cam’s power
The first and foremost factor that might directly influence the dash camera’s work when the car is off is the source of the power of the dash cam itself. Namely, as different types and models of dash cameras have different power sources, they can or can not support features and options that would allow them to work while the car is off.
Car’s cigarette lighter port
If you have an on-budget dash camera without any special features or options, it is most likely that your camera’s main source of power is your car’s cigarette lighter port. If this is the case, unfortunately, I have not-so-good news.
Namely, as the dash cameras that power from the car’s cigarette lighter port turn on and off along with the car itself, it is unlikely that they will be able to work when the car is off. The reason behind this is that this port draws and uses power only while the car is on, so when you turn your vehicle off, the power in it will stop too.
To fix this problem, you can use additional batteries or an always-on power source device that will power your dash cam when your car is off, making it record footage whenever you are not driving.
Your car’s battery
If your dash cam is on the high-end side and comes with more advanced features and options, the chances that it can work when the car is off are high. As these more expensive dash cams come with an option to be able to connect them to your car’s battery, you will be able to activate a particular mode so that the dash cam keeps recording even though the car is off.
With this kind of power source, you need to be aware that the dash cam can draw a significant portion of your car’s battery. But, if you invest in even pricier dash cams, you will not have to worry about this issue as these special dash cams come with a sensor, and they will automatically stop recording if your car battery is running too low.
Additionally, I also wanted to mention that installing these types of dash cams usually costs much more because they need to be connected to your car battery, and installation services tend to charge double or even triple for this.
Read more: Do Cars Come With Dash Cam?
Parking mode
Do dash cameras work when the car is off? Finally, to discover whether they work when the car is off, you might want to check for the parking mode on your particular type of dash cam. This mode can come under different names, depending on the types of dash cams, and is one of the handiest options that will guard your car even when you are not in it and using it.
To use the parking mode, you will only have to provide a constant power source that would connect to your dash cam and activate the mode. You can use your car battery here as well, but I strongly recommend using a smart power device that would provide the dash cam with needed power without draining and causing problems to your car battery.