What You Should Know About Factory-Installed Dashboard Cameras. It is impossible to predict what will happen in front of you while driving. Your car could potentially record video footage holding information relevant to a case involving an impatient or inebriated driver. Whenever an undesirable incident occurs on the road, there is a potential that it was captured on a dash cam.
Dashboard cameras have been readily available for years from aftermarket manufacturers including Garmin, Nextbase, Nexar, and Thinkware. More recently, automakers have begun to include cameras with varying degrees of usefulness in vehicles ranging from light-duty pickup trucks to high-end luxury vehicles.
Factory-installed dash cams have grown in popularity, thanks in part to the expansion of driver-assist systems that require the ability to “see” in order to function properly. These include lane-departure assist and forward-collision warning.
Cars with built-in dashboard cameras
In addition to acting as the eyes of onboard safety systems, factory-installed cameras are increasingly delivering recording capabilities for what happens outside the glass. Some, like as those used in Tesla vehicles, can even be utilized while the vehicle is shut off. Here’s a look at some options from mainstream automakers:
- BMW Drive Recorder: In the event of an accident, Drive Recorder will automatically save a recording from 20 seconds before to 20 seconds after contact. The driver can also manually enable the recording capability if desired.
- General Motors: Many GM vehicles come equipped with a complete collection of cameras that monitor their surroundings. They don’t now work as dash cams, but they could with the right software. Some cars, such as GMC and Chevrolet pickups, can be equipped with dealer-installed dash cameras. Certain Corvette Stingray cars come equipped with a Performance Data Recorder, which overlays data regarding the driver’s performance on high-quality footage. It can also function as a dash cam during daily drives.
- Mercedes-Benz Dashcam: This dashboard camera is available on the E, A, CLA, CLS, GLA, GLC, GLS, GLB, and GLE Class cars and may be engaged at any time by the driver. It can transfer footage to a smartphone or other USB-enabled device. When the automobile comes to a stop, the media display panel within the cabin can show the recordings.
- Subaru EyeSight: Subaru EyeSight employs two mirror-mounted cameras to direct the lane-keeping assist function while also recording what happens around the vehicle on a 22-second loop, which is useful in the event of an accident.
- Tesla Dashcam: As part of the vehicle’s self-driving functionality, it can record and save footage to a USB flash drive. In Sentry Mode, it may inform owners if their parked automobile is being tampered with.
- Toyota Dashcam: This is available as an option on the Toyota Sienna Hybrid, Venza, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia Hybrid, Camry, Highlander, Tundra, and Tacoma. It is also available as an add-on to the Toyota 4Runner. G-force sensors activate the camera, even while the car is parked, and it may also be triggered manually to record interesting events.
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LIMITED BUT IMPORTANT CAPABILITIES.
While factory-installed dash cams do not have the recording capabilities of aftermarket devices, which may capture hours of video on a continuous loop, they can still be useful to drivers.
Toyota’s system, for example, includes Parking Surveillance, which activates if G-force sensors are jolted by an impact or simply someone leaning against the vehicle. Action Mode can record exceptional drives or track days to share later, while Accident Detection Mode uses G-force sensors to automatically preserve film before, during, and after an event.
Be advised that video recording is subject to the applicable state and/or country’s privacy laws, and licenses to record videos may differ.
