How to Check Vehicle Mileage?
2 Answers
Methods to check vehicle mileage: You can check it on the dashboard. Generally, there are two types of mileage readings for a car: one is the total mileage the vehicle has traveled, and the other is a measurable mileage. The measurable mileage can be manually reset by the owner, usually by pressing and holding a small button next to the number. However, the total mileage of the vehicle cannot be reset. Due to differences in car models and brands, the display on the dashboard may vary. It is recommended to refer to the vehicle's user manual, which provides detailed explanations. The speedometer indicates the car's speed, and the odometer actually consists of two meters: one is the speedometer, and the other is the odometer. The odometer is usually located directly in front of the driver's position.
I drive quite frequently and enjoy exploring various methods to check my vehicle's mileage. The simplest and most direct way is to start the car and look at the display area in the middle of the dashboard, where there's usually a dial or digital readout showing the total mileage. If the car is equipped with an OBD-II interface device, I use mobile apps like Torque to connect and read real-time data, which also allows viewing other metrics such as fuel consumption and historical records. When the mileage is high, I check the maintenance manual or service history invoices to confirm if the records align with each service, avoiding odometer tampering. Many new cars now support connected car features, enabling remote mileage tracking via official apps, which is particularly convenient for monitoring travel frequency. A mechanic I know suggested regularly taking photos of the odometer reading and saving them on my phone for future comparison. Mileage not only affects the resale value of a used car but is also tied to maintenance intervals—higher mileage means faster wear on parts, necessitating timely tire replacements or brake system inspections to ensure driving safety.
