A:Answer It will automatically turn on and start recording no matter how you have it powered. With the hardwire kit, the yellow lead is supposed to be connected to a fuse that is only powered when the ignition is on. Once this lead detects this condition, it will tell the dashcam to turn on. As for using the cigarette lighter option, most cars only power the cig lighter when the ignition is on, so it will automatically turn on and start recording.