As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Parking mode: what nobody tells you
Updated
Parking mode records bumps and break-ins while the car is off. It does not work from the cigarette lighter in most cars, because that socket turns off with the engine. You need a hardwire kit.
What a hardwire kit does
- It connects the camera to your fuse box, so the camera has power with the car off.
- It has a low-voltage cutoff. When your car battery drops to a set level, it shuts the camera off so the car still starts.
- Each camera brand sells its own kit. Buy the one made for your model.
Should you use it?
- Street parking or a busy lot: yes, it is the main reason to own a dash cam for many people.
- Garage at home and at work: you can skip it.
- Short trips only, or an older battery: be careful. Parking mode can drain a weak battery between drives. Set the cutoff higher.
Install options
Tapping the fuse box is a simple job for someone comfortable with car wiring. If that is not you, a car audio shop will do it, usually in under an hour. If your car is under warranty or has complex electronics, ask the dealer before anyone taps a fuse.
Most dash cams, including our picks, offer parking mode through the maker's hardwire kit. Confirm the right kit for your exact model on the listing before you order.