Our 2016 C7 has the backup camera and the three front ones. I have a few questions. I'm not much on reading the manual.

1. Is there a way to have the front cameras come on automatic when we slow down to a "parking" speed? I hate pushing the button every time I'm pulling in to a spot.

2. Is there a way to just leave the cameras on all the time? (Even when going fast)

3. Someone told me the cameras are recording all the time. (Even when the screen is off) So the recording can be used in a accedent investigation. Is this true? If so, how would you retreave the footage?

 

I also thought the front cameras should come on when slow. I Do know if you go from reverse to forward th camera comes on automatically.

 

See answers after each question

 

Thank you for the quick response. Of course, those were not the answers I was hoping for.

I'm not much of a computer geek, but for anyone on this forum, is it likely I could pay some computer guy to reprogram it to do any of this? Has anyone done it allready? Also, has anyone loaded a GPS program on theirs? I know there's a way to get directions through the "on star" , but I just want a "stand alone" GPS on all the time. All the cars that cost half the price have GPS. Hard to believe I paid all this money and it doesn't come with one. To tell you the truth, I never even checked when We bought it. (I just assumed it would)

 

Some cars have the Performance Data Recorder or PDR (optional) that lets you record from a front camera mounted near the rear view mirror. This feature is designed around track use or high performance driving but can be used at any time. It is manually engaged and if you have it, the video is stored on an SD card (you must buy this) that fits into a connector in the glove box.

And I believe all 2LT+ cars have GPS-based navigation, the 1LT does not unless that option was picked.

 

For those that have the PDR.....how do you manually engage this? And when you do, it is recording video from the camera in the mirror for how long? Until I manually turn it off?

 

You turn it on through the infotainment display - press the icon and make some choices about overlays, etc. and then go.

It stays turned on until you turn it off or turn off the car. It won't automatically come on except for the valet feature. You can configure valet mode to automatically engage the camera whenever the car is on.

 

We have a Z51-2LT. We didn't order it. My wife found it on the net at some far away dealer and we had to travel to get it. (She was only concerned about getting a blue one)

I don't think there's any way to turn on the GPS. If we call on star, the directions come up on the screen just like GPS. But after we get there, it turns off. I like driving and seeing the up coming streets without actually putting in an address.

 

You have to order the Nav/PDR combo separately on 2LT. Comes standard on 3LT. You can use Android Auto or Apply CarPlay if you have an Android or Apple phone. I will display your phone's GPS on the screen. I use Android Auto over the built in Nav in my car. Works well

EDIT - my car is a 2017. Not sure if Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are supported on the 2016. Perhaps someone else can chime in

 

Some incorrect information here.

The front cameras come on after you push the camera icon and are at very slow parking speed. You don't have to go into reverse and then put it in forward gear to activate them.

I do this every day when I park at work.

This applies to the A8. I'm not sure how that works with a manual....perhaps that is what Boiler_81 has and was referring to.

 

We do have an apple phone. I will have to look in to this.

I think Boiler was saying the only way it turns on "automaticly" is by reverse to forward. The button obviously turns it on. But I find it a PITA to push the button every time I pull in.

 

Oops, I also messed up - the 2LT doesn't come with Nav, the PDR and Nav are linked but both are options for a 1LT or 2LT. The 3LT comes with it by default.

 

Correction: You have 2 cameras in the front. The 3rd view is a composite of the first two, looking down on the middle of the front end. IOW they use the 2 cameras to make up the 3rd image.

You might ask yourself why you can read here in the forum but not read a manual. I find that odd.

It might depend on whether you have an auto or manual. I have a manual so I can't speak for autos. You really wouldn't want the front cameras coming on when you were slowing down for a stop light or in stop and go traffic. Think of it - you go to change a radio station in stop and go traffic and wham the front camera projection stops you from being able to do that.

With the M7, if you go into reverse then go into forward and are traveling at less than 10 MPH, the car uses that heuristic to say "Oh he must be parking so turn on the front cameras.

I hear what you're saying though as sometimes you don't need to back up before going forward to park. It's at these times that I use the button to turn on the front camera.

Well there's a couple of problems with that. Many functions of the center unit are touch actions. If the front camera is on how would they work? Plus it would sure be a distraction to safe driving.

Well if this was true (and it's not) you'd have to have the PDR option and an SD card installed. Of course that SD card would fill rather quickly. Note that if you set the car in valet mode and it's driving then the PDR turns on to record the action. That's useful to see if the valet is "road testing" your car unnecessarily.

Bottom line is that's not the way it works and if you really want to find out how it works you should read the manual. That's what it's for.

 

I'm not sure when CarPlay was supported - I'm not an iGuy - I'm an Android guy. AA is supported on 2016 going forward as the necessary hardware is there. AA is not supported on 2014-2015. On 2016's there's a software update that the dealer must do. While you're in the shop there's also an update which gives you back your 0-60 timer.

Love, love, love AA. Use it all the time.

 

The OP had already said it comes on by pushing the button. I should have said, the only OTHER way it comes on. I will edit my original post. Thanks for noticing the error, I try to be precise and correct in my postings.

 

Hopefully, they will upgrade it or someone will hack it. Till then, thanks for the info.

 

Look up the PDF file on line. Hit Control-F for find. Problem solved.

There's a whole lot more functionality there then a radio!!! You strike me as somebody who just doesn't explore much...

I've been known to put the car in reverse while traveling forward into a parking spot just so I can put it in 1st to have the camera come on. Just because you're in reverse doesn't mean you need to let out the clutch.

Again there's a lot of other functionality that is not present in physical buttons like Nav, Weather and phone, for example. Besides, as I said, it can be a real distraction to driving.

If you really want a dashcam then buy a dashcam. While I can see how it might be useful, the P in PDR is for performance.

 

Im thinking of buying a DashCam, but the ones I like are in the mirror. Not sure if you can remove this one because it has some lights in it for the on star. I don't care about the lights, but maybe there's other stuff in it. (Like night sensors)

 

No, 2LT does not include Nav/PDR. It is an option. 3LT Nav/PDR standard.

 

First, the part about it being a distraction, it is very much so. And it is useless to view the cameras while driving. First the camera view for the 2 front cameras are only 1/4 of the screen. The wide angle of the camera reduces the 1/4 of the screen you can see to very small for anything other than what is directly in front of you. Here is a test you can do for proof. The next time you are at a stop light (first in line) during the day, push the button to turn on the front cameras and then use one of those views to determine what is happening in front of you and when to go. The screen area is so small and view so wide, you wont even be able to focus on the light changing color. How exactly would that be helpful when driving? Looking away from the road long enough to focus on that 1/4 screen to see what is going on in front of you would likely get you killed.

Second, for a dash cam I would recommend the Garmin NaviCam. It combines a GPS with all the navigation features you could want with a Dash Cam in full 1080P and can include all the GPS data on the video. It also loops when full and has a "G" sensor to record any "events" automatically. However it doesn't record when the car is off. You can also turn on the video and view it while driving down the road at any speed, at full screen size. However looking out the windshield is still a FAR better choice and looking at a 6" screen.