This photo blog will show how we installed a Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH dash cam into a 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S and where you’d find the fuse panel in the car for the hardwire installation. If you're considering installing a dash cam, we recommend the Blackbox MyCar Essential Install Kit. The BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit comes with a circuit tester, trim remover tool, and other handy tools to make the project more manageable.
While the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is based on the regular Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it's a more powerful version of the AMG E53, thanks to the 603-hp twin-turbo V-8 and the all-wheel-drive system with Drift mode. But it's still a car, and it needs a dash cam.
We installed the Thinkware Q800PRO dash cam into this 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S.
We mounted the Thinkware Q800PRO front camera behind the rearview mirror, a bit off to the right.
Before installing a dash cam in any car, check how far the wiper goes because if you mount the front-facing camera above the wiper's reach, it will not have a clear vision. You don't want to have your dash cams installed in an area outside of the range of your windshield wiper coverage, or on a rainy or snowy day, the camera lens will not be able to capture video.
Next, clean the windshield from the inside of the car to ensure the camera sticks properly and to clean off any marks or smears that might affect the video quality of your footage.
For this installation, because of the bulkier center console in the Benz, we mounted the Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH front camera behind the rearview mirror, a bit off to the right.
Check the Wear Indicator on the tip of your Mercedes-Benz's wiper blades. When the Wear Indicator changes from black to yellow, the wiper blades should be replaced. Look for the yellow dot on the wipers.
Check the Wear Indicator on the tip of your Mercedes-Benz's wiper blades. When the Wear Indicator changes from black to yellow, the wiper blades should be replaced. Look for the yellow dot on the wipers.
Always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your vehicle
For this installation, we hardwired the Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH to the vehicle's fuse box. This Mercedes Benz has a few fuse panels: driver cockpit, front passenger footwell, and trunk, and since we have mounted the dash cam on the right side of the car, we chose the one in the front passenger footwell. The Thinkware's hardwire kit is a 3-wire cable. You will need to connect the red wire (the ACC wire) to a constant fuse (12V power) and the yellow wire (the Battery wire) to an ignition switch (12V source). The black wire with the C-shaped connector is the ground wire, which should be grounded to an unpainted metal bolt or stud in the vehicle.
Have a hard time looking for the correct fuse slots? Use the circuit testing in the BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Package. You can look for the empty fuse slots or ones you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the Essential Install Package. Always cross-reference with the Fuses section in the vehicle's owner's manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your car.
If you don't need parking mode capabilities, you can opt for a more straightforward installation using the 12V power cable and your vehicle's cigarette power socket.
It doesn't matter which fuse panel you use. For instance, in this Mercedes Benz-AMG C63 S, there's a fuse panel in the driver side of the cockpit, one in the front passenger footwell, and one in the truck on the right-hand side of the vehicle. We chose the one in the foot passenger footwell because it would be easier to route the cables from the dash cam to the panel. If you're installing a dash cam battery pack and storing the battery near the vehicle's rear, the fuse panel in the trunk would be a better option.
It doesn't matter which fuse panel you use. For instance, in this Mercedes Benz-AMG C63 S, there's a fuse panel in the driver side of the cockpit, one in the front passenger footwell, and one in the truck on the right-hand side of the vehicle. We chose the one in the foot passenger footwell because it would be easier to route the cables from the dash cam to the panel. If you're installing a dash cam battery pack and storing the battery near the vehicle's rear, the fuse panel in the trunk would be a better option.
Use the trim removal tool to pull back the headliner trim gently to tuck in the cables.
Guide the power cable along the headliner and down the A-pillar on the passenger side - it's pretty straightforward; all you need to do is use the included prying tool to pry the headliner, so there's a gap just enough for the cable.
As for the A-pillar, take your time when popping it open. You can start with the kickplate/door sill - just pop it straight up and peel back the rubber trim that runs along the entirety of the door frame. You don't want to simply stuff the cable into the pillar because there's an airbag inside it, and you don't want to obstruct it.
Don't just run the cable under the rubber seal. Take the time to remove the B pillar cover or use a pry tool to carefully guide the cables under the trim.
Don't just run the cable under the rubber seal. Take the time to remove the B pillar cover or use a pry tool to carefully guide the cables under the trim.
Pick up the Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH rear camera connecting cable you have routed along the headliner with the power cable and run it along the A, B, and C pillars. Remember, don't just push the cable under the rubber seal because it will create a little gap that might prevent the door from sealing properly - you will get wind noise, or worse, water can seep into the car. Take your time to guide the cable under the trim - remove the B pillar covers and use the pry tool to carefully tuck the cable underneath the panel covers.
When you get to the rear windshield, route the cable along the rear windshield headliner until you get to the rear camera. Plug the connecting cable into the rear camera and power your car to turn on the dash cam.
If you haven't done so, download and install the Thinkware Cloud app on your smartphone. Once your Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH is powered on, press the WiFi button on the front unit to switch it to WiFi mode and then connect to the dash cam using the app to check the angle of the front and rear cameras.
And there you have it, a Thinkware Q800PRO 2-CH dashcam installed in a 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S. From the outside, looking in through the front of the vehicle, the Q800PRO blends in really well with the car. The rear camera is also very sleek and compact, small enough not to interfere with your visibility out the rear of the vehicle. And from the outside, looking in, it's virtually invisible. The installation took about 2 hours, including routing the cables, and checking the front and back cameras using the mobile app viewer.
Planning on installing a dash cam in your car? Check out our Step-by-Step Dash Cam Installation Guide and our selection of handy installation accessories. And if you ever need a hand during the installation process, just call us; our dash cam specialists are available to help!
Looking to have your dash cam professionally installed, we do offer installation services at our Richmond BC location.
Please see some of our other dash cam installations in the BlackboxMyCar Dash Cam Installation Gallery.
