KAWA Dash Cam Emergency Recording Guide

This guide explains emergency recording triggers, collision sensitivity, recording duration by model, app connection limitations, and storage rules.

1. Ways to Start Emergency Recording

  • All KAWA models support automatic emergency recording after a collision. During normal recording, the G-sensor detects a collision or strong vibration and saves the related footage in the Emergency Video folder.

  • On a model with a screen, press the function button below the Lock icon to start emergency recording manually. A screenless model cannot start it manually with a physical button.
  • A model with voice control can also start emergency recording by voice. When the voice language is English, say “Lock the video.” For another voice language, use the corresponding command in that language.

2. Set Collision Sensitivity

  • Collision sensitivity has four options: Off, Low, Medium, and High. The factory default is Medium. Higher sensitivity makes light vibration or road bumps more likely to trigger emergency recording. Use a lower setting on rough roads if unnecessary recordings occur.

  • On-device path for a model with a screen: Video Settings ＞ Emergency Video ＞ Off / High / Medium / Low.
  • KAWA AUTO App path: Advanced Settings ＞ Emergency Video (Collision Sensitivity) ＞ High / Medium / Low / Off.
  • Off disables only automatic collision triggering. The Lock button and supported voice command can still start emergency recording. This setting controls collision detection during normal recording only and does not change parking-monitor vibration detection.

3. Fixed Thirty Second Emergency Recording

  • The following models use a fixed 30-second emergency clip: D6 3K, MINI 3 Gen 2, MINI 3 Gen 2 Pro, D5 Gen 2, D7, MINI ORB, MINI 7 Pro, and D9.

  • After a trigger, the dash cam saves 5 seconds before the event and 25 seconds after it, for a total of 30 seconds.
  • A dual-channel model saves matching CH1 front and CH2 rear emergency videos. A single-channel model saves the front video only.

4. Segment Based Emergency Recording 

  • The following models use segment-based saving: D6, MINI 3, MINI 3 Pro, D5, D10, D11, and D8. After a trigger, the dash cam continues recording for 30 seconds.
  • With a 1-minute loop segment, a trigger during the first 30 seconds saves two emergency videos: the complete previous 1-minute video and the current video from its start until 30 seconds after the trigger.

Example: A trigger 10 seconds after the current video starts saves a 60-second previous video and a 40-second current video.

  • A trigger after the first 30 seconds saves one merged emergency video. The current video and the footage recorded after the trigger are merged, so the emergency video may be longer than one minute.

Example: A trigger 40 seconds after the current video starts saves one 70-second emergency video: 40 seconds already recorded plus 30 seconds after the trigger. Different file counts and durations are normal.

5. Limitations While Connected to the App

  • While KAWA AUTO App is connected and showing Live View, the on-device emergency button, collision or shake triggering, and voice commands do not work.
  • Opening the app album pauses the current recording. The emergency button, collision detection, and voice triggering are also unavailable in the album.
  • After you exit Live View or the album and return to the app device list, normal recording and all supported emergency-recording triggers resume.

6. Completion and Storage Rules

  • Emergency recording cannot be ended early with a device button. After the event recording finishes, the dash cam automatically returns to normal loop recording. Opening the album or disconnecting power interrupts the current emergency recording.
  • Emergency videos use reserved storage space. When that space reaches its limit, the oldest emergency video is overwritten automatically so a new one can be saved.
  • Download important videos to a phone or computer for long-term storage. A dual-channel model saves the matching front and rear emergency videos together.