30th January 2024
A dash cam is a small camera that’s fitted on your vehicle, which records any activity that goes on while you drive. It can allow you to provide evidence of any incidents that occur on the road to the police or your insurance provider. Our step-by-guide takes you through the process of how to install a dash cam.
Before you install your dash cam, you’ll need the following equipment, which includes:
Ideally, the dash cam’s location should be either in the centre of your windscreen or slightly below the rear-view mirror. The dash cam must be positioned where it won’t obstruct your view while driving as it could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence.
Your dash cam will likely come either with a suction cup or a semi-permanent adhesive pad mount to secure it in place. Clean the area where you want to mount it and then attach it to either the front or rear of the vehicle.
Once you’ve mounted your dash cam into position, you’ll need to plug it into your vehicle. Run the cable attached to it around the vehicle and connect it to either the vehicle’s fuse box or cigarette light port.
After you’ve plugged the dash cam into the fuse box or cigarette light port, you should make sure that all visible cables connected to the dash cam are out of view.
Any areas that are likely to chafe or wear out the cable could lead to the dash cam breaking or malfunctioning. You should check your setup periodically to make sure everything has been bedded in and any visible cables are hidden.
If your vehicle needs to be inspected for safety issues, you can book your free 7-point safety check at your nearest Merityre branch.
Most dash cams will automatically start recording once you start your journey. You can adjust the settings on your dash cam so that you have a setup that you are happy with. As your dash cam is powered directly by the car’s battery, we recommend unplugging it when not in use to ensure you don’t drain your car battery, and result in your vehicle not starting.
Following these steps will ensure that your dash cam is fully installed in your vehicle. At Merityre, we offer an extensive range of services, from MOT tests, vehicle servicing to car batteries, tyres, and much more. You can visit your nearest Merityre branch today to find out how we can help you.