How Can I Add a Backup Camera to My Car?

Backup, or rearview, cameras have been widely popular over the past decade due to their widespread use in new cars as well as the added layer of safety they provide. 

Of course, having a backup camera in your car doesn’t mean that you can completely forgo looking over your shoulder to ensure that the coast is clear, but it can save other people and your car from disaster in the event that something is directly behind it when you’re backing up.  

But what if your car doesn’t have a backup camera and you want to add one?

Spare Backup Cameras are Many & Affordable

If your car, truck, or SUV currently has an infotainment screen in the dashboard, you’re in luck, as most backup camera retrofit kits on the market can connect to the existing screen and provide a clean install. 

However, if your car doesn’t have a touchscreen from the factory, then you can opt for a market rearview camera kit that comes with a screen or a mirror modification. It’s important to note that it can be pricey depending on whether or not your car has a touchscreen infotainment.

Buying Backup Cameras with Separate Screens

If you do end up shopping for a market backup camera, then you’ll run into a few different options for your car. One of the more popular options that comes up is the backup camera system with an included monitor.

This system requires you to install the camera above your rear license plate, either via the existing screws or by drilling a hole, and then running the power wires through the car and connecting them to a separate screen that you can mount wherever you want (typically on the dashboard). 

It’s a pretty simple setup, but it’s clunky in its design as it requires you to have a separate screen to look at and have on your dashboard at all times.

Buying Backup Cameras with Mirror Screens

Another backup camera system that you’re likely to find is one with a mirror screen or a screen that displays inside of a mirror. The beauty of this system is that the aftermarket mirror that this type of system provides simply straps onto your existing rearview mirror. 

This option not only provides the capability of displaying the space behind your car but also gives you a wider rearview than your stock mirror. The installation is usually the same as the other system as the camera needs to be mounted in the rear license plate location and then wired up to the front of the car.