Buying a dashboard camera to protect your car is a wise choice. You get to record your road trips and have an extra eye on your car when parked. But how do you care for and maintain your dashboard camera? Most dash cams have an easy setup design and require minimal day-to-day maintenance and cleaning. There are some simple practices you can partake in regularly to ensure your car camera stays clean for optimum performance. If you are wondering how to maintain and clean your car dash cam, here is what you can do.
Read The User Manual
All dash cams for cars in India come with a user manual when you purchase them. Before installing the camera and starting to use it, it is best to read the manufacturer’s instructions. The user manual will show you the right steps to install the camera. Some manufacturers also include a cleaning and maintenance guide, as each dash cam has different and specific maintenance guidelines you must follow.
Always Review The Footage
Regularly inspect your dash cam.Installing it on the windshield and using a large SD card isn’t enough. You need to keep up with constantly reviewing the footage and delete the unnecessary photos of the video you don’t need. Additionally, ensure the dashboard camera is recording. You can check for this on the status notifications. You might have to use your SD card if you need more space for your footage.
Exterior Cleaning
When cleaning the exterior of your dash cam, wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove debris, dust, and fingerprints on the camera. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasive material, as these could easily damage the camera’s surface. If needed, slightly dampen the soft cloth with water or the manufacturer’s recommended mild cleaning solution.
Cleaning The Lens
Lenses are the most crucial part of your car camera. Be careful while cleaning it. Keeping a clean lens will ensure your dash cam for a car in India gives you the best footage coverage. Use a clean microfibre cloth or lens cleaning wipes recommended by the manufacturer. Wipe it down gently to remove dirt, smudges or dust. Do not use excessive pressure or rough material, as these could scratch the lens. If you notice any stubborn stains, use small amounts of lens cleaning solution specifically designed for optical surfaces.
Memory Card Maintenance
The memory card in your dashboard camera is vital, especially if you are dealing with dash cams with enterprise GPS tracking since the recorded footage is stored there. To ensure you maintain it without risking or compromising the footage, you need to format the memory card occasionally. Use the dash cam’s in-built formatting function. Create a backup for your important footage to avoid losing crucial information.
Temperature Considerations
Dash cams with enterprise GPS tracking are crucial for fleet management to know the whereabouts of their vehicles regardless of the weather conditions. Extremely high or cold temperatures can affect the performance and lifespan of some cameras. Do not leave your dashboard cameras exposed to extreme temperatures for longer. Remove the dash cam from the mount and keep it in a cool and dry place. When the external temperatures become bearable, return them.
Dashboard cameras are crucial for any car owner or fleet manager. Like all gadgets, they also need maintenance, care and cleaning. Before you get down to cleaning your dash cam, it is best to consult your user manual for the specific manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. Different dash cams have unique cleaning and maintenance requirements. Clarity on the dash cam’s use will ensure your dash cam serves you longer and delivers high-quality footage when needed.