Odometer In A Car: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

An odometer in a car has a crucial role in measuring mileage and following maintenance. The odometer is a part of a vehicle that tracks and records mileage. It is usually located in the dashboard so that you can easily check total traveled miles. Mileage is important for determining a vehicle’s resale price or insurance rates. If you know how to use the mileage information correctly, you can increase the value of your car and also plan your expenses with precision.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of mileage, what are the major challenges and how you can use miles data at your advantage.

Types of odometers in a car

There are two types of odometer in a car: mechanical and digital. Let’s briefly discuss both of them:

• Mechanical Odometers work using gears and cogs. Each rotation counts for a certain distance. Hence, the number of gear rotations calculates how many miles your vehicle has covered. This method was common in older vehicles. Although they were reliable, the wear and tear remained the biggest issue.
• Digital Odometers, on the other hand, are found in modern automobiles. They use electronic sensors to detect motion and measure mileage. Digital odometers are famous for their precision and convenience.

Of course, both mechanical and digital odometers measure the mileage correctly. These are just two common variations of the element. So, you shouldn’t worry whether your car has a mechanical or electronic one.

What is the importance of the odometer in a car?

Odometers are important components of every vehicle, and their displayed mileage can be used in various ways:

Maintenance Schedules

Every car needs maintenance, which is generally recommended by manufacturers. These schedules are directly linked to the mileage. After traveling a certain amount of mileage, the changes are necessary. For example, let’s take a look at oil changes. Depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines and model, oil changes are required for every 3,000 to 8,000 miles. As for the tires, the range is between 5,000 to 8,000, and for the timing belt, it varies from 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
As you can see, mileage is essential when making changes. Without precise odometer readings, it would be impossible to know when a car needs servicing. That is why odometers have an irreplaceable role in auto performance and maintenance.

Resale prices

The odometer in a car can significantly change the resale value of your automobile. The lower the mileage is, the higher the resale price gets.
For instance, a 5-year-old car with 40,000 miles would have a lower price than the same automobile with an 80,000 mileage record. Customers use odometers to determine the lifespan and the condition of the automobile. However, the odometer showing is sometimes misleading, and the more important aspects can be left behind.

Insurance Premiums

Insurance rates and warranties always depend on the vehicle mileage. Some insurance companies may offer better rates for lower-mileage cars. On the other hand, exceeding a certain mileage limit can cause the expiration of the premium. Therefore, tracking your miles is crucial for planning your monthly and annual expenses.

What are the issues with the odometers?

Odometers are a primary source of tracking real mileage. But do they have flaws? Yes, even though they are generally reliable, some aspects affect their efficiency and precision. Here are several common issues:

• Mechanical damage is one of the major problems in older vehicles. After years of operation, some parts begin to wear. As a result, they start to lag or measure miles incorrectly.
• Damaged sensors: Digital odometers that use electronic sensors may become faulty if the sensors get damaged. Even a slight malfunction can cause inaccurate mileage and mislead the owner.
• Odometer fraud is the biggest challenge nowadays. Mechanical and digital odometers are equally vulnerable to this issue. People use multiple tools and devices to reprogram or physically manipulate odometers. Consequently, the system will display the wrong mileage.

How to Spot odometer fraud and manipulating

Tampering the odometer in a car can change mileage in both old and new dashboards. There are different methods of discrepancy. The following steps will help you identify the fraud and handle these issues promptly:

1. Compare the odometer reading and the appearance of the vehicle. If a car has low mileage on the dashboard, there should not be visible wear and tear.
2. Check if the mileage record and history reports align correctly. You can use Carfax to verify the mileage of any automobile. When you see the details, you can easily guess if there is some missing information.
3. Always request maintenance records and carefully examine if the data is correct. When a car undergoes service or maintenance checks, the mechanics put the existing data in the record. Hence, you have a chance to look at the services your car has gone through and compare them to the actual mileage.

How you can use an odometer to your advantage

Now, let’s discuss how you can use odometer information to achieve goals. Imagine you need to drive 200 miles. If you measure the mileage before and after your trip, you can determine fuel consumption and efficiency, which will help you be more prepared for future expenses.
Moreover, if you are using your vehicle for work purposes, you can request the mileage reimbursement. IRS annually publishes the rates that indicate how much you will be compensated for using a personal vehicle for your job. The conditions may vary depending on the company, so you need to double-check the details in advance.
You can also monitor your car’s overall mileage and compare it to the limits of the insurance premium. Based on this information, you can try not to exceed the limit and make the maximum profit from your policy.
In addition, if you are planning to buy a car, you can now use the odometer and mileage information to make a better decision. You know how to verify the mileage and detect possible discrepancies.

What Is the Odometer In A Car?

An odometer in a car is a part of the automobile that measures miles and displays the information on the dashboard. It is usually located under or next to the speedometer. In general, you can find the odometer on the driver’s side of the control panel. These numbers, which sometimes are overlooked, contain crucial information that can be useful both for the car’s maintenance and for saving your annual expenses as well.
If your vehicle has a mechanical odometer, the mileage numbers will always be displayed on the dashboard. However, if you have a car with a digital odometer, you usually need to turn the ignition on (not necessarily start the engine) for the mileage to appear.

The Best odometer tool in your car

The Mileage Blocker is a smart device that stops the mileage tracking process when a car is in motion. When you drive your vehicle, the system will not add up new miles. The blocker from SKF doesn’t store mileage information in the electronic control units. Therefore, the data is entirely undetected.

The blocker is exceptional in the market due to its unique features.

• Untraceable effect: The mileage blocker from Super Kilometer Filter is the device that can effectively halt the miles recording process without leaving a trace;
• Quality of the device: The blocker is assembled in Germany with the highest components that guarantee undisrupted performance in any weather conditions.
• Easy installation: This tool involves easy installation guidelines that will help you install it without extra technical knowledge.
• Mobile App: The SKF team has developed a mobile app for mileage blocker devices. This app allows you to monitor and control the device remotely from your phone.

Because of its high efficiency, people tried to use the mileage blocker unethically. It should be highlighted that the device is created only for car testing purposes and should never be used illegally or against local laws.
The mileage blocker is now available, and you can purchase it from the SKF. If you have any questions, feel free to contact customer support or check the support webpage.

Takeaway

An odometer in a car is crucial for counting mileage precisely and following the manufacturer’s guidelines. The odometer is a part of a vehicle that tracks and records miles. Once you know the exact mileage, you can use it to meet insurance premiums, maintain high resale value, and follow maintenance schedules. However, make sure to carefully check the mileage, as there are various ways to trick you and provide misleading information.