Installation
Setting Up Parking Mode on Your Dash Cam
Parking mode lets your camera keep watch while the car is off, but it needs the right power source and settings to work without draining your battery.
Provide constant power
Parking mode needs power when the ignition is off, which means a hardwire kit on a constant circuit or a dedicated battery pack. The 12V socket usually will not do.
Choose a trigger
Most cameras offer motion detection, impact detection, or continuous recording in parking mode. Motion and impact triggers save storage; continuous captures everything but fills the card faster.
Protect the battery
Set the low-voltage cutoff and, if available, a time limit so parking mode stops before your battery is compromised.
Understand what parking mode actually protects against
If you are still deciding whether parking mode is worth the extra hardware, see What Is Parking Mode? for what it catches and Hardwire Kit vs Battery Pack for how to power it.
Frequently asked questions
Which parking mode trigger should I use?
Motion or impact detection is a good default — it saves storage and battery compared to continuous recording, while still catching hit-and-runs and vandalism.
Can I use parking mode with just the 12V socket?
No — the 12V socket typically cuts power with the ignition off. Parking mode needs a hardwire kit on a constant circuit, or a dedicated battery pack.