BlackboxMyCar | Dash Cam Installation: 2019 Volkswagen Jetta x Thinkware U1000 Dashcam

This installation photo blog will show how we hardwire-installed a Thinkware U1000 4K 2-Channel dash cam into a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. If you're considering installing a dash cam, we recommend the Blackbox MyCar Essential Install Kit. The BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit comes with a circuit tester, trim remover tool, and other handy tools to make the project more manageable.

For this installation, you will need a Thinkware U1000 2-Channel dash cam, a Thinkware hardwiring kit (included free with the Thinkware U1000 2-Channel) and the BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Package.

For this installation, we placed the U1000 front camera right next to center roof console.

Before installing a dash cam in any car, check how far the wiper goes because if you mount the dash cam above the wiper’s reach, it will not have a clear vision. You want to make sure you are mounting the dash cam in a spot so you can always get a clear windscreen in front of it. This also applies to the rear dash cam if wipers are on your back windshield.

Next, clean the windshield from the inside of the car just to ensure the camera sticks properly and to clean off any marks or smears that might affect the video quality of your footage. Once that’s done, you can connect the power cable.

Look for an empty fuse slot or one you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the Essential Install Kit.

For this installation, we will be hardwiring the dash cam to the car’s fuse panel to unlock the dash cam's parking mode recording capabilities. If you don't need parking mode capabilities, you can opt for a more straightforward installation using the 12V power cable and your vehicle's cigarette power socket.

The fuse panel on this 2019 Volkswagen Jetta is located right under the instrument panel on the driver's side. Look up the section on fuses in your owner’s manual, though it’s been known that Volkswagen doesn’t provide much information about fuses in the manuals. If you’re lucky, you might find a fuse diagram printed on the back of the fuse cover.

The Thinkware's hardwire kit is a 3-wire cable, one for each: constant power, ignition-based, and ground. You need to look for an empty fuse slot or one you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the Essential Install Kit. We always recommend selecting fuse slots that are rated between 10A-30A to properly provide enough power to your dash cam. Use the circuit testing in the Essential Install Kit to help you find the suitable fuse slots, and always refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your vehicle.

Looking for a parking mode solution that doesn't require hardwiring? We've got two! You can use an OBD-II Power Cable and your car's OBD port as a power source. If you want to eliminate any wear and tear on your car battery, we strongly recommend a dedicated dash cam battery pack, like the Cellink NEO or the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack.

Take your time when removing the console cover or the A-pillar cover - be careful not to break any of the clips behind the covers.

Because the fuse panel is located on the driver's side in this Jetta, we need to guide the power cable through the center roof console, along the headliner, and finally down the A-pillar on the driver's side.

Use the included prying tool to gently pull back the console cover and headliner trim to tuck in the cables.

Take your time when popping out the A-pillar - it’s pretty straightforward, but be careful not to break the clips behind the cover. You can refer to your owner's manual for how to remove the pillar and trunk trims.

Remember, you don't want to just tuck the cable into the pillar because if there's an airbag inside the pillar, the airbag will deploy in the event of an accident and pull on the dash cam cables, causing further damage.

Run the rear camera connecting cable along the headliner, and then straight along then A-B-C pillars to the rear windshield.

Plug the rear camera connecting cable into the front unit and run the cable through the roof console, headliner, and straight down the length of the car to the B and C pillars.

Again, don't just run the cable under the rubber seal because it will create a little gap that might prevent the door from sealing properly - you will get wind noise or worse, water can seep into the car. Take your time to guide the cable under the trim - remove the B pillar covers and use the pry tool to carefully tuck the cable underneath the panel covers.

When you get to the rear windshield, route the cable along the rear windshield headliner until you get to the rear camera.

Plug the connecting cable into the rear camera and power on your car to turn on the dash cam. You will hear a Thinkware greeting prompt. If you haven’t done so, download and install the Thinkware Cloud app on your smartphone. Once your dash cam is powered on, press the WiFi button on the front unit to switch it to WiFi mode and then connect to the dash cam using the Thinkware Cloud app on your smartphone.

Use the Live View feature to check the viewing angle of the front and rear cameras and adjust if needed.

And there you have it, a Thinkware U1000 4K 2-Channel dashcam install in a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. From the outside, looking in from the front of the vehicle, the U1000 blends in well with the car.

The U1000 rear camera is also very sleek and compact, small enough not to interfere with your visibility out the rear of the Jetta. And from the outside, looking in, it's virtually invisible.

Planning on installing a dash cam in your car? Check out our Step-by-Step Dash Cam Installation Guide and our selection of handy installation accessories. And if you ever need a hand during the installation process, just call us; our dash cam specialists are available to help!

Looking to have your dash cam professionally installed, we do offer installation services at our Richmond BC location.

Please see some of our other dash cam installations in the BlackboxMyCar Dash Cam Installation Gallery.