Dash Cam Parking Mode: Does It Drain Your Car Battery?

Yes, dash cam parking mode uses power from the car while it is parked, so it can drain the battery if nothing protects it. With a hardwire kit that cuts the camera off at a set voltage, or a separate battery pack, parking mode is safe for most cars. The risk is highest with small hybrid batteries, short trips and older batteries.

What parking mode is

Parking mode keeps the camera watching when the car is off. Depending on the camera, it records when it detects a bump or movement, records a time-lapse at a low frame rate, or records continuously at a lower quality. It catches the car park door ding or the hit and run you would otherwise miss.

How much battery it uses

A dash cam draws only a little power, but over a long time parked it adds up. Two cameras use more than one. Continuous recording uses more than motion or impact detection. A battery that is older, cold, or only charged by short trips has less to spare.

Three ways to protect the battery

• A hardwire kit with a low-voltage cut-off: it switches the camera off when the battery drops to the level you set, leaving enough to start the car. Most kits let you choose the level.
• A dedicated dash cam battery pack: it charges while you drive and powers the camera when parked, so the car battery is not used at all.
• A parking timer: many cameras or kits can stop parking mode after a set number of hours.

Hybrids and small batteries

Hybrids such as the Toyota Aqua and Prius use a small 12V battery to start the system. It has less to spare than a normal car battery, so set the cut-off conservatively or use a battery pack.

Parking mode without hardwiring

In most cars the 12V socket switches off with the ignition, so the camera stops when you park. Some cameras have a small internal battery that records a short clip after an impact, but that is not true parking mode. For real parking mode you need a hardwire kit or a battery pack. Our guide to hardwiring a dash cam explains the fuse box side.

Have it set up

We fit dash cams with parking mode and set the cut-off to suit your car and battery. See dash cam installation, the dash cam buying guide, and the dash cam rules in NZ.

Frequently asked questions

Will a dash cam drain my battery overnight?

It can if parking mode runs without a cut-off on a weak battery. With a cut-off set correctly, the camera turns off before the battery gets too low to start the car.

What is the best parking mode setting?

Impact or motion detection uses the least power and fills the card slowest. Time-lapse gives more coverage. Continuous recording uses the most.

Can I use parking mode without hardwiring?

Only with a dash cam battery pack, or in a car whose 12V socket stays live when the car is off. Most cars switch the socket off.

Is parking mode safe for a hybrid?

Yes, with care. Hybrids have a small 12V battery, so use a conservative cut-off or a separate battery pack.