What is this odometer? Or, What is an odometer short answer? What is an odometer used for? How to read odometer in bike? How to check the odometer? Also, How to calculate odometer? Why is my odometer not working? Find details about your motorcycle’s odometer including usage, benefits, reset system, and more.
What is an Odometer on a Bike?
An odometer is a device that measures the distance traveled by a bike or any other vehicle. So it is an instrument that measures and displays how much distance your vehicle has traveled. People also call it an Odograph. It is located in the vehicle’s dashboard. It shows the lifetime traveling distance of a vehicle. Meanwhile, it can also show the distance your vehicle has traveled in a single tour.
What is the full name of Odometer? The name is derived from the Greek words “hodós” (“path” or “gateway”) and “métron” (“measure”). Something that measures the path distance you’ve crossed or gone through.
How does an Odometer Work?
It measures the rotation of the wheels of a vehicle. There is a connection between this device and the automobile’s transmission or wheels. It figures out the number of rotations made by the wheels. Then it converts those into how much distance the vehicle has traveled. Generally, it expresses the distance in kilometers or miles. There are mechanical and electronic odometers.
A series of gears are used in the aforementioned one. It converts the rotation of the wheels in its display. Indeed, every rotation of the wheels corresponds to a certain distance passed. On the contrary, a series of electronic sensors are used in the electronic ones. The microprocessor receives signals from the sensors and estimates the traveled distance. Yet again, it shows that in its display. The electronic odometers are more advanced and can also display terms like fuel efficiency and trip distance.
Why do you Need an Odometer?
An odometer is an essential device for a vehicle. As it shows the traveled distance of your automobile, it helps track the vehicle’s usage. Thus it notifies you when your vehicle needs to be taken for servicing. For instance, you need to change the engine oil based on how much distance your automobile has gone after the latest change. Hence, it’s very much needed to know exactly when it needs to be changed the next time. The odometer is the device that helps you maintain your vehicle like servicing or other requirements. The need of an odometer includes:
- Reliable mileage monitoring
- Fuel efficiency estimation
- Effective warranty management
- Maintenance scheduling
- Cost controlling
- Insurance premium consideration
- Efficient planning for maintenance
- Accurate vehicle usage billing
Is odometer used to mileage?
Yes, the Odometer is the device that helps you calculate the mileage you’re getting. For example, you fill a liter of petrol in your vehicle when the tank is fully empty. Then you calculate exactly how much distance it goes without filling any further petrol. That will show you the mileage.
How to Reset an Odometer?
In most bikes, one needs to push the button there to reset the tour distance estimate option of an odometer. While to reset the odometer fully which erases its lifetime memory, is a bit complex. The reset of an odometer can be done in different ways:
- Manually roll back mechanical dials
- Reprogramme memory chips
- Use software to change digital readings
What is the use of odometer and speedometer?
Odometers and speedometers have different tasks to do although they may seem completely the same to you. Here are the differences between an Odometer and a speedometer.
Odometer | Speedometer |
Estimates and displays the total traveled distance. | Shows the speed at which your vehicle is cruising. |
Comes with a cumulative reading type and is ever-increasing. | Instantaneous reading type. It can increase and decrease based on current speed |
Present at the dashboard. Might be located at the instrument cluster also. | Also located on the dashboard. |
There is a complex system to reset it. | Doesn’t have any reset function. |
Unit is in Miles or Kilometres. | The unit of measurement is Miles per hour (MPH) or kilometers per hour (KPH). |
Helps to know when the vehicle needs to be serviced and how much resale value it will have. | Helps monitor the speed. |