Dash Cam Parking Mode Explained
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A lot of damage happens while nobody is in the car: a door ding in a supermarket lot, a scrape from someone backing out, a hit-and-run on the street at night. A dash cam only helps if it is still watching. That is what parking mode is for.
How parking mode works
In normal mode, a dash cam records while you drive and switches off with the engine. In parking mode, the camera keeps running at low power while the car is parked and records when something happens around it.
Why the cigarette lighter is not enough
In most cars, the power socket turns off when you switch off the engine. So a dash cam powered from the socket stops recording as soon as you park. For parking mode, the camera needs power that stays on, which usually means a hardwire or parking kit connected to the car's fuse box.
What about the car battery?
A good parking kit has a low-voltage cut-off. It watches the car battery and turns the camera off before the battery gets too low to start the car. When you compare kits, check that it has this protection.
Installing a parking kit
- The kit connects to the fuse box with fuse taps, usually under the dashboard or in the footwell.
- The cable runs along the trim to the camera.
- Many drivers install it themselves in under an hour. If you are not comfortable working with your car's fuse box, a car audio or accessories shop can do it quickly.
Tips to get the most from parking mode
- Use a large microSD card so parked footage does not overwrite your driving clips too fast.
- Point the camera so it covers as much of the area in front of the car as possible.
- After an incident, save the clip to your phone before you drive again.
Parking mode on the Dashnox eCam
The Dashnox eCam 4K supports 24/7 parking mode with the Dashnox Parking Kit, sold separately or in a bundle with the camera and a 128GB card. The eCam records 4K front and 1080p rear footage with night vision, and you can watch and save clips on your phone with the free Wi-Fi app. No subscription.