Car Dash Camera Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know

Congratulations on buying a dash cam!

Now let's talk about its maintenance and what to do to make the most out of your dash camera.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can be sure that your vehicle is receiving the best protection and that your new equipment is being properly maintained.

Most dash cams are designed for easy setup and usually require minimal day-to-day maintenance. However, there are still some simple steps you can take on a regular basis to ensure the best performance of your dashcam.

Here are best practices to ensure your dashcam is working properly.

Check Your Dash Cam If It's Properly Installed

Prior to any further steps, make sure that the dashcam and cables are correctly installed. Adjust the lens of the front camera so that an adequate portion of the dashboard, road, and sky is visible.

We suggest adjusting the angle of the dashcam so that the road takes up no less than two-thirds of the screen. This is important to ensure that license plates of other vehicles are properly captured.

And then make sure that both the video (coaxial) cable and the power cable are firmly connected. If you haven’t installed your dashcam yet, better look for a professional dash cam installer in your area or call a mobile dash cam installer like Schmicko for a hassle-free transaction.

Keep It Clean

Regularly clean your dashcam (front and rear cameras, if applicable) with a dry cloth to prevent dust and dirt buildup. It is important to take special care of the lens and make sure it is free of fingerprints to ensure optimal image quality.

We strongly advise leaving the protective film that the dashcam is protected with when you first take it out of the box. Doing so may potentially impair the performance of the dashcam, and even cause overheating issues.

Are you experiencing poor video quality? It could be due to a dirty windshield, particularly if your car has been exposed to salted roads during winter. Salt residue can accumulate rapidly on car windshields and create a white and gray film.

Also, don't forget the wiper blades. Windshield wipers can be easily overlooked until they are needed to provide visibility in conditions such as rain and muddy road spray from other cars. Cleaning the blades is simple, requiring only a paper towel or cloth soaked in windshield washer fluid (or a mild detergent). If a rear windshield wiper is present, it should also be included in the cleaning process.

Make Sure The Firmware Is Updated

It is highly recommended to check for firmware updates after purchasing a new dash cam, and then regularly at least every few months. If you have not yet checked your dash cam for a firmware update, now is an ideal time to do so. This ensures that the most recent security patches are in place, as well as new features and improvements that may have been added. You don’t want to miss that!

Check the firmware version of your dash cam before updating it. This can be found within the menu options of the device.

Go to the manufacturer's website for the latest firmware version; this can be found in the Support and Download section.

Read the instructions carefully before proceeding with the firmware update; an improper update could render your dash cam inoperable.

Use Parking Mode & Cloud Features

If you’d like to keep an eye on your car at all times, utilizing the Parking Mode and Cloud features of a Cloud-compatible dashcam can provide 24/7 surveillance to ensure the security of your vehicle, even when you are not present. In Parking Mode, your dash cam can monitor the surroundings without writing on the microSD card. When someone bumps into your car while it’s parked, the dashcam can record everything including the few seconds leading to the impact.

Format the SD card every once in a while

Due to the nature of the dash cam's recording process, it is recommended to periodically format the SD card. This helps to prevent the card from becoming clogged with incomplete files, which can lead to performance issues or false readings.

The fact that your SD card constantly stores and overwrites older video recordings makes it vulnerable to wear and tear.

It is strongly recommended to format the memory card at least once a month. This can be done by going to the on-screen menu on the dash cam, the smartphone application, or a desktop viewer. Please be advised that formatting the SD card will delete all existing data and information on the card.

So if you have valuable footage that you wish to preserve, it is advisable to back the files first before you begin formatting. If your dash cam is Cloud-compatible (such as the BlackVue DR900S or the Thinkware U1000), the files can be conveniently backed up to the Cloud.

Dash cam DOs and DON'Ts

When purchasing a dash cam, it can be difficult to determine how far to go. To assist, here are some considerations and red flags to be aware of.

DOs:

• Find a camera that offers the highest quality footage within your financial means.
• Check if the device is operational while the car is stationary or in motion. Ensure that it is adequately recording any collisions that may occur while the vehicle is parked or stopped.
• Pairing the device with a GPS tracker, or selecting a device with GPS capabilities, can be beneficial when seeking to verify footage or support car insurance claims and court processes. By providing data on location, speed, and movements, GPS capabilities can provide evidence to support these claims.

DON’Ts:

• Do not put anything on your dashboard so that it will not obstruct your view of the road.
• Never wait for the SD card to fill up. Once the SD card is almost filled with footage, it is recommended to back up the data regularly and particularly after any incident or accident. Some SD cards also have an overwrite feature that automatically records over older footage when the storage capacity is reached.
• Don't disregard additional features such as a G-shock sensor as they can enhance the quality of footage and provide further evidence as to the direction of impact.

Are dash cams acceptable for filing car insurance claims?

Yes, absolutely. Submitting footage in support of your car insurance claim can be beneficial to the claims resolution process. Any additional evidence will be taken into consideration.

Final thoughts

Dash cams are an invaluable asset and, with a few exceptions, can usually be mounted in most vehicles without too much difficulty. To ensure a successful setup process, it is important to do your research beforehand. Familiarize yourself with state regulations, identify an appropriate power source, and become acquainted with the mounting methods that are included with the product.