12V lighter power socket - always live?

[madman123]

Hi All,

My Audi A4 is due for delivery in 3 weeks time and I am looking to buy a dashcam. Can anyone tell me if the 12V socket in the centre console and armrest are permanently live even when the ignition is switched off?

Thanks

[MJC_OK]

I'm pretty much guessing here, but I'd suggest not ... this is based on the new power usage screen, which tells you what in the car is using up power. I've never seen the 12v in that list, but do see things like rear windscreen and mirrors on there, things which I assume use the same power source

Having said that, this is a pretty stupid assumption, as I guess it would only be live if something was plugged in to it ... so I have no idea :P

[ILikeJam]

I've not got my car yet, but I doubt it would be permanently live.

On my current BMW the dashcam stays on for about 5 minutes after I leave the car then goes off - which I assume is when the power to the socket is cut. There's probably a way to hard wire the socket to stay always on, but it would no doubt be warranty-unfriendly!