Hey there, fellow drivers and tech enthusiasts! If you’re looking to install your Rexing M2 series dash cam, you’ve come to the right place. Setting up a dash cam might seem a bit daunting at first, especially with all those wires and different features across models like the Rexing M2, M2 2K, M2 Max, or M2 Max Pro. But trust me, it’s totally doable, and by the end of this guide, you’ll have your Rexing dash cam running smoothly, giving you that extra peace of mind on the road.

Dash cams have become incredibly popular, and for good reason. They’re like your silent co-pilot, always recording, ready to provide crucial evidence in case of an accident, a parking lot ding, or even unexpected events. The global dashcam market is actually projected to grow significantly, from around $4.67 billion in 2023 to over $13 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 12.10%. That just shows how many people are realizing their importance! Plus, with features like 2K and 4K resolution, wide-angle lenses, and advanced driver assistance systems ADAS in newer models, these devices are becoming more sophisticated and essential than ever. Whether you’re opting for the standard cigarette lighter plug-and-play or going all out with a hardwire kit for parking monitoring, we’ll walk through each step, share some pro tips, and help you avoid common pitfalls. So let’s get your Rexing M2 up and running!

Before you even unbox your Rexing M2, it’s a good idea to gather everything you might need. Having your tools ready makes the whole process a lot smoother.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Your Rexing M2 Dash Cam Kit: This includes the main camera unit M2, M2 2K, M2 Max, M2 Max Pro, rear camera if applicable, power cable cigarette lighter adapter or hardwire kit, GPS logger often included or optional, and mounting straps/adhesive.
• MicroSD Card: Seriously, don’t forget this! Your dash cam won’t record without one. Make sure it’s a high-endurance card, typically Class 10 or U3, and format it before initial use to prevent recording issues or data corruption. Rexing M2 Max Pro accepts up to 256GB cards.
• Cable Management Tool Trim Removal Tool: This is a lifesaver for tucking wires neatly into crevices and under trim panels without damaging your car’s interior. Most Rexing kits actually include one, which is super helpful.
• Lint-Free Cloth and Glass Cleaner: For cleaning your windshield where the camera will be mounted. A clean surface ensures the adhesive sticks properly.
• Zip Ties or Cable Clips: For extra cable management, especially if your kit doesn’t provide enough or you want extra security.
• Multimeter for hardwiring: If you’re going for a hardwire installation, this is essential for identifying the correct fuse slots.
• Add-a-Circuit Fuse Taps for hardwiring: These let you safely tap into your car’s fuse box without cutting any wires. Make sure you get the right size for your car’s fuses Mini, ATO, Micro2, etc..

Understanding Your Rexing M2 Series Dash Cam Models & Features

The Rexing M2 series offers a range of models, each with slightly different features. Knowing what you have helps with the installation and initial setup. Generally, the M2 series dash cams are mirror-style, meaning they strap over your existing rearview mirror.

0.0 0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews) Excellent0% Very good0% Average0% Poor0% Terrible0% There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. Your review Your overall rating Select a Rating5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star Title of your review Your review Your name Your email This review is based on my own experience and is my genuine opinion. ​ Submit Review

Amazon.com: Check Amazon for Getting Started: What Latest Discussions & Reviews:

Rexing M2

This is typically the base model, offering solid front and rear recording capabilities. It usually features a full HD 1080p resolution and a wide-angle lens, along with basic functions like G-sensor for collision detection and loop recording. It might also include an integrated GPS module for tracking routes and speed.

Rexing M2 2K

As the name suggests, this version steps up the video quality to 2K 1440p for the front camera, offering sharper footage than the standard M2. This is great for capturing finer details like license plates. The rear camera might still be 1080p.

Rexing M2 Max

Moving up, the M2 Max often brings a larger 12-inch IPS touchscreen and can record 4K for the front camera and 1080p for the rear. It typically includes Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS logging, and advanced features like ADAS Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for things like lane departure warnings.

Rexing M2 Max Pro

This is usually the top-tier model in the M2 series, boasting similar features to the M2 Max but often with enhanced processors for better performance and potentially more advanced ADAS or parking mode capabilities. Like the M2 Max, it’s a 12-inch touchscreen mirror dash cam with 4K front and 1080p rear recording, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Some versions might even have a 4-channel setup, adding side cameras for a full 360-degree view around your vehicle.

Regardless of your specific model, the core installation principles remain pretty consistent.

Step-by-Step: The Standard Rexing M2 Installation

Let’s get this dash cam installed! This section covers the typical plug-and-play installation using your car’s cigarette lighter adapter.

1. Finding the Perfect Spot

This is crucial. You want your dash cam to have a clear, wide view of the road without blocking your own vision. For the mirror-style Rexing M2 series, this step is pretty straightforward: you’ll be strapping it over your existing rearview mirror.

• Clean the Area: Before anything, give your rearview mirror and the surrounding windshield a good wipe with your lint-free cloth and glass cleaner.
• Positioning: The M2 series is designed to clip over your existing rearview mirror. Use the provided rubber straps to secure it firmly. Make sure it’s centered and that the camera lens can capture a clear view of the road ahead. Adjust the front camera angle to ensure it captures both the road and the horizon evenly.

2. Mounting the Front Camera

Once you’ve got the mirror dash cam securely strapped on, double-check its stability. It should feel snug and not wobble. If your model has an adjustable lens, make sure it’s pointing straight ahead, capturing what you need.

3. Connecting Power Cigarette Lighter Adapter

Most Rexing M2 models come with a car charger that plugs into your vehicle’s 12V power outlet cigarette lighter socket.

• Plug It In: Connect the Type-C or Mini-USB end of the power cable to the dash cam and the other end into your car’s 12V outlet.
• Initial Power On: The dash cam should automatically power on and begin recording when you start your vehicle and it receives power. You can also manually power it on by holding the power button for about 3 seconds.
• Format SD Card: If you haven’t already, now’s a good time to format your MicroSD card through the dash cam’s menu. This gets it ready for recording.

4. Installing the Rear Camera If Applicable

Many Rexing M2 models are dual-channel, meaning they come with a rear camera. This is where cable routing becomes important.

• Connect the Cable: Plug the rear camera cable into the designated AV port on the main dash cam unit.
• Route the Cable: This is often the most time-consuming part, but taking your time here makes for a much cleaner look. You’ll need to run this cable from the main unit at the front of your car, along the headliner, down the A-pillar, along the door sills, and then back to the rear of the vehicle.
  • Use your trim removal tool to gently pry open gaps in the headliner and trim panels to tuck the cable inside.
  • Avoid routing the cable where it might interfere with airbags or safety mechanisms.
  • Many people run it along the passenger side to keep it away from the driver’s footwell.
• Mount the Rear Camera: You have a couple of common options for the rear camera:
  • Inside the Rear Window: This is often the easiest. Clean the glass thoroughly and use the adhesive mount to secure it at the top-center of your rear window.
  • Above the License Plate Exterior: For a more discreet look and often better exterior visibility, some prefer to mount it above the license plate. This usually involves drilling small holes and requires a bit more effort. If you’re not comfortable with this, sticking it inside is perfectly fine.
• Reverse Light Connection Optional, but Recommended: If you want the rear camera to automatically display a reverse-assist view with parking lines when you shift into reverse, you’ll need to connect its red wire to your car’s reverse light power source. This usually means tapping into the wire for your reverse lights in the trunk area. This can be a bit tricky, so if you’re unsure, a professional can help.

5. Cable Management: Hiding Those Wires

Nobody likes a messy bundle of wires dangling in their car. Good cable management isn’t just about aesthetics. it also prevents distractions and potential safety hazards.

• Tuck, Don’t Dangling: Use the trim removal tool to tuck all cables power, rear camera, GPS neatly under your car’s headliner, down the A-pillar, and along the door seals.
• Secure Excess: Use zip ties or cable clips to secure any excess wire lengths. Keep them out of sight and out of the way of foot pedals, steering wheel, or airbags.

6. Initial Setup & Settings

Once everything is physically installed and powered up, it’s time to dial in your settings.

• Check Views: On your dash cam’s screen, ensure both front and rear cameras are displaying clear, correct views. Adjust angles as needed.
• Date and Time: This is super important if you ever need the footage as evidence. Make sure the date and time are accurate. If you have a GPS module connected, it will often set this automatically.
• Loop Recording: Confirm loop recording is enabled. This ensures the camera continuously records by overwriting the oldest files when the memory card is full.
• G-Sensor Sensitivity: This feature detects sudden impacts and locks the current footage to prevent it from being overwritten. Adjust the sensitivity High, Moderate, Low, Off based on your driving conditions to avoid too many false positives.
• Parking Mode If using cigarette lighter: If your dash cam offers parking mode through the cigarette lighter, understand its limitations. It usually only works when the car is off for a short period, as the cigarette lighter port typically loses power when the engine is off. This is where hardwiring truly shines.

Going Pro: Rexing Hardwire Kit Installation For Parking Monitoring

For those who want 24/7 surveillance and protection, even when your car is parked, a Rexing hardwire kit is the way to go. This allows your dash cam to draw power directly from your car’s battery with built-in voltage protection to prevent battery drain. Rexing offers both “Smart Hardwire Kits” and “Intelligent Hardwire Kits” which can detect motion or collisions.

Why Hardwire?

• 24/7 Parking Mode: The biggest advantage! Your dash cam stays powered and can record incidents like hit-and-runs or vandalism while your car is off. This means continuous protection.
• Clean, Professional Look: No messy cables dangling from your cigarette lighter. All wires are tucked away, creating a much cleaner interior.
• Frees Up Power Outlets: Your 12V cigarette lighter port remains free for charging phones or other devices.
• Prevents Battery Drain: Most hardwire kits, including Rexing’s, come with a low-voltage cutoff feature. This automatically cuts power to the dash cam if your car’s battery voltage drops too low, preventing it from draining your car’s battery completely.
• Reliable Connection: Hardwiring offers a more secure and stable power connection compared to the cigarette lighter adapter, which can become loose over time.

What You’ll Need for Hardwiring

In addition to the standard items, you’ll need:

• Rexing Hardwire Kit: This typically includes a power cable with multiple wires red, yellow, black, fuse taps, and sometimes a motion sensor.
• Multimeter/Circuit Tester: Absolutely essential for identifying the correct fuse slots in your fuse box.
• Add-a-Circuit Fuse Taps: If not included or you need more, ensure they match your car’s fuse type e.g., ATO, Mini, Micro2. You’ll typically need two.
• Pliers/Fuse Puller: To remove and insert fuses.
• Wrench/Socket Set: For connecting the ground wire.

Identifying Your Fuse Box

Your car’s fuse box is usually located in one of a few places:

• Under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
• In the glove compartment.
• Under the hood.
• In the trunk.

Always consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual to locate the fuse box and understand its layout.

Locating Power Sources Constant & ACC

Hardwire kits typically have three wires:

1. Red ACC/Switched Power: This wire needs to be connected to a fuse that only gets power when your car’s ignition is on. This tells the dash cam when your car is running and to switch to driving mode.
2. Yellow Constant Power: This wire connects to a fuse that always has power, even when the car is off. This is what keeps your dash cam running for parking mode.
3. Black Ground Wire: This needs to be securely attached to a metal bolt or screw on the car’s chassis, typically near the fuse box. This provides the ground connection.

How to find them with a multimeter:

• Turn your car completely off.
• Carefully remove a fuse from the fuse box.
• Touch one probe of the multimeter to a metal ground point in the car and the other probe to one of the exposed terminals in the fuse slot where the fuse was.
• If you get a reading e.g., 12V, that’s a constant power fuse.
• Repeat the process, but this time, turn your car’s ignition on without starting the engine. Find a fuse that only shows 12V when the ignition is on, and no power when off. That’s your switched power fuse.
• Important: Choose fuses for non-essential components, like the radio, cigarette lighter, or sunroof. Avoid safety-critical fuses like airbags or engine management.

Connecting the Hardwire Kit

1. Attach Fuse Taps: For each chosen fuse slot constant and switched, insert an add-a-circuit fuse tap.
   • Insert the original fuse e.g., the radio fuse into the bottom slot of the fuse tap.
   • Insert a new, appropriately rated fuse usually a 2A or 3A fuse for the dash cam, check your kit’s manual into the top slot of the fuse tap.
   • Connect the Red wire from your hardwire kit to the switched power fuse tap, and the Yellow wire to the constant power fuse tap.
2. Connect Ground Wire: Find a metal bolt or screw near the fuse box that’s connected to the car’s chassis. Loosen it, slip the hardwire kit’s black spade connector under it, and tighten it securely. Make sure it’s a good, solid connection.
3. Connect to Dash Cam: Route the hardwire kit’s power cable neatly from the fuse box, under the trim, up to your Rexing M2 dash cam. Plug it into the designated power port on the dash cam.

Final Checks for Hardwired Systems

• Test Power: Start your car. The dash cam should power on. Turn your car off. The dash cam should stay on in parking mode for a set duration or until the battery voltage cutoff.
• Parking Monitor Setting: This is critical for Rexing’s Intelligent Hardwire Kit. If you’re using this kit, DO NOT enable the parking monitor function in the dash cam’s settings. The kit’s motion sensor will automatically activate parking mode when the vehicle is off and will power up the dash cam when motion is detected.
• Adjust Voltage Cut-off: Many hardwire kits have dip switches or settings to adjust the low-voltage cut-off. If your car battery is older or you live in a cold climate, you might want to set a slightly higher cut-off to prevent unexpected battery drain.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Even with the best instructions, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common issues and what to check:

Camera Not Powering On

• Check Power Connection: Is the cigarette lighter adapter or hardwire kit fully plugged into both the dash cam and the power source?
• Vehicle Power Outlet: Test your car’s 12V outlet with another device like a phone charger to ensure it’s working.
• Fuse Issues Hardwire Kit: Did you connect to the correct fuse types constant/switched? Are the fuses in the add-a-circuit taps correctly seated and not blown? Is the ground wire securely connected?
• Rexing Charger: Ensure you’re using the Rexing-approved charger, as others might not provide sufficient power.

Rear Camera Not Detected

• Cable Connection: Is the rear camera cable securely plugged into the main unit’s AV port?
• Cable Damage: Carefully inspect the rear camera cable for any pinches or cuts, especially if you routed it through tight spaces.
• Reverse Trigger Wire: If you connected the reverse trigger wire, ensure it’s correctly tapped into the reverse light circuit.

Loose Mount

• Straps/Adhesive: For mirror dash cams, ensure the rubber straps are pulled tight. For adhesive mounts, make sure the windshield surface was thoroughly cleaned before application and you applied firm pressure for several seconds. Low-quality adhesive or suction cups can fail, so if you’re using an adhesive mount, ensure it’s robust.

Parking Monitor Not Working Hardwired

• Intelligent Hardwire Kit: Remember, if you have Rexing’s Intelligent Hardwire Kit, the parking monitor should not be enabled in the dash cam’s menu. The kit handles the motion detection itself.
• Constant Power: Double-check that the yellow wire of your hardwire kit is connected to a fuse that has constant power.
• Voltage Cut-off: If your car’s battery voltage drops below the kit’s cut-off threshold, parking mode will cease. This is a safety feature to prevent battery drain.

Tips for Optimal Performance & Longevity

To get the most out of your Rexing M2 dash cam and ensure it lasts:

• Regularly Format Your MicroSD Card: This can’t be stressed enough! Periodically formatting the card monthly or every few weeks helps maintain its performance, prevents data corruption, and clears protected files that might otherwise take up space.
• Keep the Lens Clean: Dust, smudges, or fingerprints on the lens can significantly degrade video quality. Regularly wipe it with a lint-free cloth.
• Check Cable Security: Periodically inspect all cables to ensure they haven’t come loose or aren’t dangling, especially after hitting bumps or going over rough terrain.
• Review Footage: It’s a good habit to occasionally review your recorded footage. This helps you ensure the camera is working correctly, capturing the desired view, and that the date/time stamps are accurate.
• Software Updates: Check Rexing’s website occasionally for firmware updates for your specific model. Updates can improve performance, add features, and fix bugs.

By following these steps and tips, you’ll have your Rexing M2 series dash cam expertly installed and ready to be your trusty witness on every journey. Drive safe!

Grab 50% OFF on RexingUSA.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Rexing’s “Smart Hardwire Kit” and “Intelligent Hardwire Kit”?

The main difference lies in how they handle parking mode. The Smart Hardwire Kit typically provides constant power and a voltage cut-off, allowing your dash cam’s built-in parking mode e.g., G-sensor based to function. The Intelligent Hardwire Kit often includes its own motion sensor and manages parking mode externally, meaning you should not enable parking monitor settings on the dash cam itself when using this kit. It will power up the dash cam automatically upon motion detection.

Can I install the Rexing M2 Max Pro in a large truck or SUV?

The Rexing M2 Max Pro and similar mirror dash cams usually comes with a standard 6-meter about 20-foot cable for the rearview camera. For very large trucks, long vans, or certain SUVs, this cable might be too short to reach the rear camera position comfortably. Always measure your vehicle’s interior length from the front mirror to your desired rear camera mounting spot before purchasing, or check if Rexing offers longer extension cables.

Why is my dash cam shutting off after a few minutes when hardwired?

If your dash cam is hardwired and shuts off shortly after you turn off your car, it’s likely due to the low-voltage cut-off feature in the hardwire kit. This is a protective measure to prevent draining your car’s battery. If your car battery is old, weak, or the weather is very cold, the voltage might drop below the set threshold quickly. You could try adjusting the voltage cut-off setting on your hardwire kit if available to a lower value, but be mindful of your battery’s health.

Do I need to format my MicroSD card every time I use my Rexing M2?

No, you don’t need to format it every single time you use it. However, it’s highly recommended to format your MicroSD card periodically, perhaps once a month or every few weeks, especially if you drive frequently. This helps clear any corrupted files, ensures optimal recording performance, and extends the life of the card. Always format new cards before initial use.

My rear camera footage is mirrored. How do I fix this?

Most Rexing M2 series dash cams, especially the mirror-style ones, have a setting in the menu to adjust the rear camera’s display, including mirroring. Look for an option like “Rear Camera Mirroring” or “Flip Rear Camera.” You can usually toggle this on or off to get the correct orientation, especially when used as a backup camera. If you’re using it as a backup camera, you might want it mirrored to simulate a traditional rearview mirror, but for recording, you’d want actual orientation. Unlock 24/7 Protection: Your Guide to Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kits

Can I use any USB cable to power my Rexing M2 dash cam?

It’s best to use the power cable and charger specifically provided by Rexing for your dash cam. While many devices use standard USB, dash cams often require a specific voltage and amperage e.g., 2.5A charger for M2 Max Pro to function correctly and reliably. Using an unapproved or underpowered charger can lead to power fluctuations, malfunctions, or even damage to the device.

What happens if the MicroSD card gets full?

Rexing M2 dash cams feature loop recording. This means that once the MicroSD card reaches its full capacity, the camera will automatically start recording over the oldest, unlocked video files to make space for new recordings. This ensures continuous recording without you having to manually clear the card. However, remember that locked files saved by the G-sensor or manually will not be overwritten. That’s why periodic formatting is still important.