What does 'trip' mean on the car dashboard?
3 Answers
The 'trip' on the car dashboard refers to the short-distance mileage, also known as the subtotal mileage, which is convenient for users to calculate the kilometers traveled for each trip. Here are the relevant details: 1. Reset method: When the owner wants to recalculate the kilometers for a short trip, they can press and hold the clear button to reset the original data. 2. Fuel consumption calculation: The smallest unit of the subtotal mileage trip is 0.1 kilometers. The basic calculation method is the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers, which is also the parameter provided by the manufacturer. That is, the actual fuel consumption is divided by the actual mileage traveled, meaning the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers equals the fuel consumption (liters) divided by the mileage (kilometers) multiplied by 100.
Speaking of the 'trip' function on the car dashboard, I’d like to share my experience as an ordinary driver. I always use it to record each journey—it’s essentially a trip meter designed to track specific trip data, such as the distance traveled and average fuel consumption from point A to point B. Before every long drive, I reset it to zero, which helps me accurately monitor how far I’ve gone and how much fuel I’ve used. For example, on a weekend trip, I reset it at departure, and upon arrival, the trip showed 300 km with an average fuel consumption of 7L/100km, confirming stable vehicle performance. If I refuel midway, I reset it again to calculate new data. This feature is incredibly practical, saving me time and effort, especially during road trips for tracking expenses and maintenance intervals. I’ve made it a habit to schedule service every 5,000 km based on the trip reminder. It’s also straightforward and intuitive—no technical knowledge needed—allowing me to keep tabs on trip details anytime.
As a car enthusiast, I often delve into these details. Essentially, a trip is just a journey counter that records the total mileage since the last reset via wheel speed sensors. Most vehicles can also calculate average fuel consumption by combining fuel level data—for instance, starting to accumulate data after ignition to show fuel consumption per 100 kilometers for that segment. I find its principle simple yet quite intelligent. Connected to the onboard computer, it can help diagnose minor issues, such as a sudden spike in fuel consumption possibly indicating low tire pressure or a dirty air filter. When it's time for an oil change or maintenance, I also use the trip as a reference, setting a fixed interval to remind myself. This is not only convenient but also helps avoid miscalculating mileage on long trips. Remember to observe it while driving, as it allows you to adjust your driving habits promptly and keep the car running efficiently.
