Why Should You Hardwire Your Dash Cam? Complete Guide to Dash Cam Installation

Having a dash cam in your car can help you feel safe every time you drive. But if you want your dash cam to watch your car even when you’re not inside or the car is turned off, you should think about hardwiring it. When you hardwire your dash cam, it gets power all the time, so parking mode works and your camera can record even when your car isn’t running.

Maybe you want to know how to hardwire a dash cam or you’re wondering if it’s worth the work. Don’t worry—you’re in the right place. This guide will explain why hardwiring is helpful, how to do it step-by-step, simple maintenance tips and what to do if something isn’t working.

When you hardwire your dash cam, you connect it right to your car’s electrical system with hardwire kit instead of plugging it into the lighter socket or USB port. This way, your dash cam always has the power it needs. If your dash cam has a parking mode, this setup helps your camera record while the car is turned off which is perfect if someone bumps your car when it’s parked or if something happens when you’re not around.

Another nice thing about hardwiring is that it hides the wires. You won’t have cords hanging all over your dashboard or center console, so everything looks neat. Your car will look less cluttered and the installation will look more professional.

A dash cam hardwire kit is a package that helps you connect your dash cam straight to your car’s power. These kits usually come with:

• Fuse taps: These let you connect the power wire to the fuse box safely.
• Voltage regulators: These stop the dash cam from getting too much or too little power which keeps your camera safe.
• Wires: These help you route power from the fuse box to your dash cam.

Hardwiring kits are made to keep your dash cam on, even when you leave your car. They are stronger and better for long-term use than simple plug-in cables or USB cables. If you want a setup that works all the time, even if you forget to plug your camera in, then a hardwire kit is the way to go.

You might be asking yourself if hardwiring your dash cam is worth the trouble. The answer is yes for lots of drivers! Here’s why:

• Parking mode: Your camera will still record even when your car is off, so you’ll have proof if someone scrapes or bumps your car while you’re away.
• Cleaner look: No more messy, dangling wires. Hardwiring hides the wires out of sight.
• More free sockets: If you use your only power plug for your dash cam, you can’t use it for your phone or GPS. Hardwiring leaves your plug free.
• Better recording: Since your dash cam always gets power, you don’t have to worry about it missing anything.

If you want your setup to be tidy and you want your dash cam to work all the time, hardwiring is a smart choice.

Some dash cams just plug into your car’s lighter socket. This is easy, but hardwiring offers several great advantages.

• Always on: With a lighter socket, you may need to plug and unplug your dash cam each time you drive. Hardwiring keeps the camera on, so you never miss anything.
• No hassle: Once it’s hardwired, you don’t have to think about it. You won’t forget to turn it on.
• Better battery protection: Hardwiring kits often come with a device that stops the dash cam from draining your battery too much.
• Free up the outlet: Hardwiring uses your fuse box. That means you can use the lighter socket for something else, like charging your phone.

Plugging your dash cam into the lighter socket is fine for some people, but hardwiring is better if you want more from your camera and a tidier space.

Hardwiring your dash cam might seem hard, but you can do it with some time and patience.

1. Get the right tools: You’ll need a fuse tap, hardwiring kit, enough wires and a screwdriver. Check if your dash cam came with a hardwire kit or buy one made for your camera.
2. Find the fuse box: The fuse box is often under the dashboard or near the glove box. Look in your owner’s manual if you can’t find it.
3. Pick the right fuses: Locate one fuse that gets power when the car is on (ignition fuse) and one that always has power (constant fuse). Your dash cam’s instructions should help you choose.
4. Plug in the fuse tap: Remove the old fuse and use the fuse tap from your hardwiring kit. Insert the tap and plug the wires into the right spot. Attach the ground wire to a metal bolt or screw to finish the connection.
5. Run the wires: Hide the wires behind the car’s trim, in the headliner or along the edge of the windshield. Most people tuck wires along the top and down the A-pillar, then into the fuse box.
6. Connect and test: Plug the hardwire kit into your dash cam and see if it turns on when it should. Start the car to check if the dash cam works with the ignition. When the car is off, test if parking mode turns on.

If you want to be extra careful, you can ask someone who knows car wiring for help.

A big worry for some people is that hardwiring a dash cam will drain the car battery. Luckily, if you use a good hardwiring kit with battery protection, this won’t be a problem. Many kits have a low-voltage cut-off that makes the dash cam stop using power if your battery gets too low. As long as you use the right kit and follow the setup steps, your dash cam won’t use so much energy that it hurts your battery.

If you’re not sure your kit has this, ask the maker or check the instructions. And if you don’t drive your car for many days, you can always unplug the dash cam to be extra safe.

If you don’t want to hardwire your dash cam, you can still try parking mode with a few other options:

• OBD-II adapter: This plugs into the OBD port (usually under your dashboard) and powers your dash cam, but it’s still not as neat as hardwiring.
• External battery pack: Some dash cams can run off their own small battery packs. You charge these up and plug your camera into them when you park.
• Cigarette lighter: Sometimes, you can use the lighter socket for parking mode if it stays on when your car is off, although most cars turn this off to save battery.

These choices work for some people, but they may not give you the same reliable power as hardwiring.

• Check the wires sometimes: Make sure nothing has come loose and the wires aren’t damaged. Wiggle the wires now and then or check behind the trim if you hear rattling.
• Test parking mode: Turn your car off and see if your dash cam goes into parking mode. Try walking around the car or tapping the window to test if the motion or impact sensors trigger.
• Format the SD card often: A full memory card can cause recording problems. Many makers suggest formatting your SD card at least once a month.
• Update your dash cam: Sometimes, your dash cam maker releases updates to help the camera work better. Check if your camera has new software and update it when you can.

If your dash cam stops working, turn off your car and check all the wires first. Then, check the fuses and see if your SD card is full or faulty.

When you hardwire your dash cam, you get lots of good things: your recordings are always on, your car looks tidier and your dash cam is ready whenever you need it. The steps might look a bit difficult at first, but most people find it’s not so bad when they go step by step. Using a good hardwiring kit that fits your camera helps. And if you don’t feel ready to do it yourself, you can always ask a car electrician or a friend who knows about cars.

If you want a dash cam you can trust, try picking a reliable brand. Redtiger, for example, has dash cams and hardwiring kits that are easy to install and use. When you install your dash cam the right way, you save yourself trouble and get better security for your car.

What is the purpose of the hardwire kit for dash cam?

A hardwire kit connects your dash cam right to your car’s battery, so your camera works all the time and can use parking mode even when the car is off.

Is hardwiring dash cam worth it?

Yes. Hardwiring means your dash cam is always powered. You get cleaner looking wires, your dash cam doesn't miss anything and you can use the lighter socket for your phone or another device.

Is it better to hardwire a dash cam?

If you want your camera to work even when your car is off or you like a neat look, hardwiring is better. You just need to use the right kit and follow the instructions.

Are all dash cam hardwire kits the same?

No. Some kits have extra battery protection and different styles of fuse taps. Always pick one that matches your car and camera.