How to Install a Dash Cam in Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dash cameras, or dash cams, have become increasingly popular for car owners looking to enhance their safety and security on the road. Whether you’re navigating busy city streets or open highways, a dash cam can provide crucial video evidence in case of accidents, insurance claims, or even parking incidents. Installing a dash cam yourself, especially a hardwired one, might seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it’s a manageable DIY project. This guide will walk you through the process of hardwiring a front and rear dash cam in your car, ensuring continuous recording even when your vehicle is parked, and addressing common issues you might encounter during installation.

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s gather the necessary tools.

Tools You’ll Need

1. Dashcam Kit: This includes the front camera, rear camera (if you’re installing a dual system), and the hardwiring kit. The 70Mai A800 dash cam, mentioned in the original guide, is a solid option known for its reliability and features.
2. Pry Tools: These plastic tools are essential for safely removing car interior panels without causing damage. Often, a pry tool is included in your dashcam box.
3. Tissue Paper or Microfiber Cloth: For cleaning surfaces before applying adhesive mounts.

For those who prefer visual guidance or need extra help, these video resources can be beneficial:

Now, let’s proceed with the step-by-step installation.

Step-by-Step Installation Procedure

1. Front Dash Cam Placement and Preparation: The ideal location for your front dash cam is at the top center of your windshield, behind the rearview mirror (IRVM). This position provides a clear view of the road ahead and minimizes obstruction to your driving vision. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the windshield area with tissue paper or a microfiber cloth to remove any dust or grease. This ensures proper adhesion of the electrostatic sticker and mount.

2. Applying the Electrostatic Sticker: Carefully apply the electrostatic sticker to the cleaned glass surface. This sticker acts as an intermediary between your windshield and the adhesive mount, making it easier to remove the dash cam later without leaving residue. Ensure there are no air bubbles trapped beneath the sticker. Use a credit card or a similar flat, sturdy object to smooth out any bubbles.

   Alt text: Electrostatic sticker for dashcam mount applied to the car windshield, ensuring bubble-free installation for secure and residue-free mounting.

3. Mounting the Front Dash Cam: Attach the dash cam mount to the electrostatic sticker using the pre-applied double-sided tape. Before firmly pressing it into place, ensure the mount is correctly aligned and not skewed. Once the mount is secure, slide the dash cam onto the mount. Double-check the alignment to capture the optimal view of the road and car bonnet.

   Alt text: Front dash camera securely mounted on the car windshield using an adhesive mount and electrostatic sticker, positioned for optimal road and bonnet view.

4. Hardwiring Cable Routing (Front Camera): Connect the hardwiring kit cable to your front dash cam. Using a pry tool, gently lift the edge of the roof’s inner lining near the windshield. Tuck the cable underneath the lining, starting from the dash cam and moving towards the right A-pillar. This conceals the wire and provides a clean installation.

   Alt text: Dash cam power cable neatly routed under the car’s roof lining using a pry tool for concealed and professional-looking hardwire installation.

5. Routing Cable Through the A-Pillar: Carefully open the A-pillar panel. Feed the dash cam wire through an existing hole in the A-pillar and guide it downwards towards the fuse box area. Important: Ensure the wire has some slack and isn’t stretched tightly to prevent damage or disconnection due to vibrations or movement.

6. Accessing the Fuse Box and Identifying Fuse Circuits: Locate your car’s fuse box, usually found under the dashboard or in the engine bay. Refer to your car’s manual for the fuse box diagram to identify the fuses for the horn, hazard lights, and accessories. These circuits typically provide constant power (for parking mode) and switched power (ACC – Accessory).

7. Connecting the Hardwiring Kit to Fuses: Connect the hardwiring kit wires to the appropriate fuses. Typically, the red wire (VCC or B+) connects to a fuse that provides constant power (like the hazard lights or horn), the yellow wire (ACC) connects to an accessory fuse (switched power, active when the ignition is on), and the black wire (GND) is for ground. You can connect the ground wire to any bare metal part of the car chassis, often a bolt or screw under the dashboard. Crucial Note: Ensure you wrap the hardwire kit wire around only one leg of the fuse before re-inserting it into the fuse box. Connecting to both legs will bypass the fuse protection, which is unsafe.

   Alt text: Dash cam hardwire kit connected to the car’s fuse box, showing ACC, VCC, and ground wire connections for constant and switched power supply.

8. Rear Dash Cam Placement and Preparation: For the rear camera, clean the inside of your rear windshield with tissue paper or a microfiber cloth, focusing on the top center area for optimal rear view coverage.

9. Applying Electrostatic Sticker and Mounting Rear Dash Cam: Apply the electrostatic sticker to the cleaned rear windshield, ensuring no air bubbles. Then, mount the rear dash cam onto the sticker using its adhesive mount, similar to the front camera installation. Position it to capture a wide and clear view of the rear.

   Alt text: Rear dash camera installed on the vehicle’s rear windshield with electrostatic sticker and adhesive mount, positioned centrally for comprehensive rear view recording.

10. Routing Rear Camera Cable: Use the pry tool to gently lift the roof inner lining and tuck the rear camera cable underneath, starting from the camera and routing it towards the front of the car, typically along the roof lining and down the A-pillar. You might need to carefully lift panels on the B and C pillars (if applicable to your car model) to neatly route the cable.

    Alt text: Rear dash cam cable concealed under the car’s roof lining and routed towards the front of the vehicle for seamless integration with the front camera unit.

11. Connecting Rear Camera Cable to Front Dash Cam: Connect the rear camera cable to the front dash cam unit. Tuck any excess cable under the roof lining or behind the A-pillar panel. Coiling and zip-tying any extra cable length helps keep the wiring organized and prevents rattles. A tidy wiring job now will save you headaches in the future.

    Alt text: Complete front and rear dash cam system wiring setup inside the car, demonstrating organized cable routing and connections for a fully functional dual-camera system.

Final Steps and Troubleshooting

Once all connections are made, insert a microSD card into your dash cam. Start your car to power on the dash cam and verify that both front and rear cameras are recording correctly. Check the dash cam settings to configure recording resolution, parking mode, and other preferences.

Common Installation Issues and Quick Fixes:

• Dash cam not powering on: Double-check your fuse connections. Ensure the fuses are correctly inserted and not blown. Verify the ground wire is securely connected to a bare metal surface.
• Parking mode not working: Confirm that the red wire (constant power) is connected to a fuse that provides power even when the ignition is off.
• Rear camera not displaying: Check the connection of the rear camera cable to both the rear camera and the front dash cam unit. Ensure the cable is not damaged during routing.
• Loose wiring: If you hear rattling or see wires hanging, re-tuck and secure the cables more effectively under the trim panels. Use zip ties to bundle any excess wire.

By following these steps, you can successfully install a hardwired front and rear dash cam in your car, enhancing your vehicle’s security and providing peace of mind on every drive. Remember to consult your dash cam’s user manual for specific instructions and features related to your model.