A Guide on How to Mount and Remove Your Dash Cam

Front wide angle lenses are used in dash cams to maximize the field of view. As a result, they should be mounted in or near the center of the front windshield to ensure an even field of view for the vehicle's sides.

Another reason for doing so is that dash cam lenses are rarely adjustable horizontally. We recommend positioning the dash cam near the rearview mirror area to avoid blocking the driver's field of vision, minimizing distractions and keeping you focused on the road.

We also recommend tilting the lens slightly upwards for a better angle, so the footage displays about 60% road and 40% sky - providing a good balance of exposure and details.

For rear cameras, we'd like to place it in the uppermost center of the rear windshield. Just be careful not to install it on the rear defroster grid lines.

Pro Tip: For dash cams with Wi-Fi and a Smartphone app, you can view live footage from your phone while mounting the dash cam, allowing you to choose the position and angle at which you want the dash cam to be set in real time.

Mount your dash cam near the middle of the front windshield so that an even field of view for the sides of the vehicle is recorded.

Some vehicle models, particularly newer ones, may include sensors and radar detectors near the stem of the rearview mirror that control features like weather detection and advanced driver assistance systems.

If you have Subaru Eyesight, Toyota Safety Sense, Hyundai SmartSense, Honda Sensing, Mazda i-Activsense, or other advanced driver assistance technology in your vehicle, you may be wondering if mounting your dash cam will interfere with the sensors' functions.

To answer your question, these dash cams simply do not interfere with the sensors, which are mounted directly against the windshield and pointed outwards. If this is still a concern, simply move the dash cam to a different location on the windshield, and everything will work normally.

The black dots on the windshield, sometimes referred to as a "dot matrix", is known in the auto industry as a frit.

Those black dots on windshields and windows, as well as the black rims that surround them, serve a purpose other than decoration. Part of the function is to assist with the seal for the glass while the section behind the rearview mirror helps to block the sun in the gap between the two sun visors.

If you’re wondering if you can place your dash cam on that surface, the answer is yes. It is safe and it will not cause any electronic interference if you mount the tape on these dots.

We love using these dots to hide the bulk of a dash cam as it reduces the amount of the camera that's visible from the outside. As long as the lens sticks past the dot matrix you will have no problems with the dash cam.

Note that suction cup dash cams typically will not stick to the frit as the textured surface will not allow a perfect seal for the suction cup.

When applying your adhesive tape, ensure the area is wiped dry and at room temperature (not too cold and definitely not under direct sunlight) before applying.

When putting on an adhesive mount, the windshield should be thoroughly cleaned with a window cleaner.

Ensure the area is wiped dry and at room temperature - not too cold and definitely not under direct sunlight - before applying the adhesive.

Once complete, press your hands against the mount and add pressure for about 10 seconds to secure the adhesive against the glass. This ensures the adhesive is properly bonded to the windshield and remains secure against vibrations.

The same instructions apply for dash cams that use suction cup mounts. The adhesives for these mounts, as well as for suction cups, work the best only on glass surfaces. Mounting onto other materials in the vehicle such as plastic, leather or alcantara will likely result in a weak and insecure hold.

Moreover, recent dash cam models, such as VIOFO have also started producing static windshield stickers.

The static sticker is a transparent film that adheres to the windshield using static electricity, making it a cost-effective alternative to a suction mount. It is designed for rental, carshare, and fleet vehicles.

When using the static sticker, it also acts as a barrier between the 3M sticky tape and the glass, preventing sticky residue and marks if the dash cam needs to be removed.

Removing a dash cam is often trickier than mounting it on the windshield. This is because the adhesive on the mount is very strong and can almost be impossible to remove with just your fingers.

We recommend using a prying tool (one may have been included with your dash cam) to slowly loosen the adhesive.

The best method, however, is to use a blowdryer or a heat gun. Aim the blowdryer from the outside of the vehicle (inside is ok as well) against the adhesive.

Just 5 to 10 seconds should do, then slowly wiggle the mount back and forth - the adhesive should be a lot looser since the glue is heated up and softened.

Not to fret, our in-house product experts are here to help. We have spent years curating helpful content and video guides, helping customers with their dash cams, but we understand that we can always do better. Contact us using the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. We love what we do, because we're here to help you make the most informed purchasing decision.