How Parking Surveillance Works on Dash Cams? 

One of the most popular questions people have when buying a dash cam is:
“Does the Parking Surveillance feature work right out of the box?”

The short answer is: usually, no. While many dash cams advertise “Park & Record” or “Parking Mode,” most people don’t realize that this feature requires a constant power source — something your car’s 12V cigarette lighter outlet typically doesn’t provide.

Here’s a breakdown of how Parking Surveillance really works, and what you need to make it function properly.

What Is Parking Surveillance Mode?

Parking Surveillance (sometimes called “Park & Record”) is a dash cam feature that keeps your camera active when your car is turned off. It’s designed to capture:

• Hit-and-runs in parking lots.
• Vandalism or break-ins while your car is unattended.
• Accidental damage from shopping carts or doors.

Instead of only recording while you’re driving, Parking Surveillance ensures your dash cam can protect your vehicle around the clock.

Why It Doesn’t Work Out of the Box?

Most vehicles cut power to the 12V accessory outlet (the cigarette lighter port) once the engine is off. That means your dash cam loses power the moment you shut off your car.

Without constant power, Parking Surveillance simply won’t activate — even if the dash cam has the feature built in.

How to Enable Parking Surveillance?

To use Parking Surveillance properly, you’ll need one of these solutions:

1. Hardwiring Kit (Most Common)

• A hardwire kit connects your dash cam directly to the fuse box.
• It provides two power sources:
• ACC (switched power) – turns on only with ignition.
• Constant (always-on power) – keeps the dash cam running when the engine is off.
• A ground wire completes the circuit by connecting to bare metal.

Some dash cams include a hardwire kit in the box, while others require you to purchase it separately.

2. Battery-Powered Dash Cams

Some dash cams come with a built-in lithium battery instead of a super capacitor. These battery models can sometimes keep the camera powered for a few hours — even up to one night — without hardwiring.

⚠️ However, battery-powered dash cams are less common today, since super capacitors are more reliable in extreme hot and cold weather. For long-term Parking Surveillance, a hardwire kit is still the best solution.

3. External Battery Packs

Another option is an external dash cam battery pack, which charges while you drive and powers the dash cam while parked. This avoids tapping into your car’s fuse box but adds cost and bulk.

Why Super Capacitor Dash Cams Still Need Hardwiring?

Many modern dash cams use super capacitors instead of batteries. Super capacitors are more heat-resistant and longer-lasting, but they can only supply power for a few seconds — just enough to safely save a video file after a sudden shutdown.

That’s why if your dash cam uses a super capacitor (which most do), you’ll definitely need a hardwiring kit or an external battery to use Parking Surveillance mode.

Final Thoughts

Parking Surveillance is one of the most valuable dash cam features — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many buyers expect it to work immediately, only to find that their dash cam shuts off as soon as they turn off the ignition.

To summarize:

• Most cars don’t supply constant power to the 12V outlet.
• A hardwire kit is usually required for Parking Surveillance.
• Battery dash cams may last one night without hardwiring, but are less reliable.
• Super capacitor dash cams always need constant power for Park & Record.

If you want true 24/7 protection, make sure you plan for the right setup — whether that’s purchasing a dash cam with a hardwire kit included or adding one separately. With the right installation, your dash cam will protect your car not only while driving but also when it’s parked.