What do the two mileage readings on the car dashboard mean?

[AmaraDella]

There are two mileage readings on the car dashboard: 1. Total mileage: Measured in kilometers, this cannot be reset. 2. Trip mileage: This can be manually reset by long-pressing the black cylindrical button on the dashboard. The total mileage of the vehicle normally cannot be reset. The following are the differences between the two types of car speedometers: 1. Mechanical odometer: The traditional purely mechanical instrument, which uses a flexible shaft connected to the output shaft of the transmission at one end and to the odometer at the other. 2. Electronic instrument: It generally has a speed sensor installed on the output shaft of the transmission or on the wheel, using the read speed to calculate the vehicle speed and mileage through formulas embedded in the control module.

[JoannaMarie]

I've been driving for many years, and those two mileage numbers on the car dashboard—the one on the left is usually the total mileage, recording all the distance the car has traveled from the factory to now. It keeps accumulating and never changes. When buying a car, I always check this number to judge the car's condition, like a story of an old friend. The one on the right is called the trip mileage, which I can reset to zero before each journey, making it very practical for short trips. For example, last week I went on a countryside trip, reset it, and drove 150 kilometers. When I got back, I could accurately calculate the fuel consumption, saving me the trouble of manual recording. These two numbers together help me keep track of maintenance intervals, reminding me to change the oil on time, ensuring safety and economy. Even if the car is older with higher total mileage, I don’t worry too much as long as daily driving is normal. In short, understanding it makes driving more worry-free.

[DiEliza]

I often use those two mileage readings while driving. The total mileage is fixed on the dashboard, recording the vehicle's entire travel history - this is what I relied on to assess the car's condition when purchasing it. The trip mileage is more flexible; I can reset it with a button press anytime to track each short journey, like daily commutes or weekend shopping trips. Last week, I planned a short outing with friends - starting from zero, we drove exactly 80km which perfectly matched the navigation time, and I even calculated the fuel consumption per 100km. These two values help me manage costs, avoid accidental speeding, and remind me of timely maintenance. When sharing these stories with friends, they all find it practical, and now they've learned to use trip mileage for journey planning too.

[DelKingston]

As a car owner, I understand the importance of those two mileage figures. The total mileage is a permanent record of the vehicle, indicating the total distance traveled and cannot be altered. The trip mileage can be reset, making it suitable for monitoring short-term usage, such as accurately calculating my daily commute distance to reduce fuel waste. By regularly checking these data, I can predict the timing for replacing parts.