Disabling customer dash cams
Disconnecting batteries and pulling fuses is routine work in auto repair, but a few customers might interpret this as an attempt to defeat their recording devices. In reality, “disconnect battery” is simply the first step in countless repair jobs. How about dash cams that pull power from an adapter in the OBDII port? A mechanic would need to unplug the cam to hook up a scan tool, which means the customer will miss all that unbelievable footage of a guy scratching his head and scrolling through menus.
Notifying a customer every time a dash cam loses power is probably overkill, but your shop should have a policy in place regarding dash cams. For example, your policy might state that if a vehicle rolls in with power to its camera, then it must leave with power to its camera. Some shops have a policy of unplugging all dash cams on customer vehicles before service. Alternatively, some state that the customer must disconnect any dash cams before service, which removes the risk of a mechanic damaging the camera or its cables while working.
Whatever your shop’s policy might be, it’s best to have something in place before it is needed. (In two-party consent states, the law may also play a role in deciding your policy.) The policy should be written or published somewhere that customers can see it, and your service writers and managers should be aware that dash cams can be a sensitive issue with some folks.