What is the Difference Between Odometer and Speedometer?

What is an Odometer

An odometer measures the distance travelled by the vehicle and is located on the dashboard. It displays the total kilometre travelled by the vehicle over its lifetime. The odometer is important as it keeps track of the vehicle's mileage for various reasons, like maintenance and wear and tear. It also keeps track of the repair purpose and determines the vehicle’s value.

 

Types of an Odometer

There are two main types of odometer—digital and analogue. Analogue odometers calculate the distance travelled by the vehicle with the help of gears and cables. The digital odometer calculate the distance travelled based on wheel rotation.

Analogue odometers are not easy to tamper as it is involved with gears and cables. Additionally, cables and gears are prone to wear and tear and analogue odometers require more maintenance when compared to digital odometers.

A digital odometer is more likely to be accurate and is less prone to wear and tear. The accuracy of the digital odometer is because it is directly linked with the engine controls and are hard to tamper.

 

How an Odometer works?

The odometer works by measuring the number of rotations made by the vehicle’s wheel. It is typically connected to the wheel or transmission and counts the number of rotations made by the wheel.

The number of rotations the wheel makes is converted into distance travelled by the odometer in kilometres or miles.

When it comes to mechanical odometers, the gears will convert the number of wheel rotations and will be displayed.

Electronic odometers use a series of electrical sensors to measure the rotation of the wheel. These sensors send a signal to the microprocessor and calculate the distance travelled. This will be displayed in the odometer. Electrical odometers are considered to be more accurate, and they are also programmed to display more information, such as trip distance and fuel efficiency.

 

Functions and uses of an Odometer

The odometer displays how well a vehicle is running and if it needs any periodic maintenance. It is essential as it determines the vehicle’s maintenance requirements and its value.

The odometer is useful when buying a used vehicle or selling one. So the type of the odometer used can affect the resale value. Additionally, odometer can be used to determine the total mileage of the vehicle and the engine condition. The other uses are listed below.

• The odometers are connected to the vehicle’s transmission or wheels and then count of wheel rotations are noted.
• Then the odometer converts these number into distance travelled to kilometres or miles.
• Odometers display the information like distance travelled with the help of sensors sending the signal to the microprocessors.

 

What is a Speedometer?

The speedometer is one of the important components of the vehicle. It helps the driver to monitor the vehicle’s speed and maintain safe driving practice. The speedometer provides real-time information on the driving speed of the vehicle. In some advanced speedometers, it provides information like travel speed, fuel consumption and average speed.  

 

Types of Speedometer

Speedometers are of two types analogue and digital. The analogue speedometer uses a transmission that is connected to the speedometer with a cable. This cable moves the needle and displays the speed.

The digital speedometer contains sensors that measures the wheel rotations and calculates the speed digitally. Digital speedometers are more accurate when compared to the analogue speedometer.

 

How does the Speedometer work?

The speedometer is usually located on the dashboard of the vehicle and the placement of the speedometer is made sure that it is visible for the driver. The speedometer consists of a dial marked with numbers and a needle that points to the number according to the vehicle’s speed.

The speedometer tracks how fast the vehicle’s wheels or transmission is spinning. The sensors convert the spinning into an electrical signal. This signal is then sent to the speedometer, which shows the speed on the dial. As the vehicle’s speed increases or decreases, the needle in the dial moves and shows the speed.  

 

Functions and uses of Speedometer 

The primary goal of the speedometer is to display the driving speed of the vehicle. Advanced speedometers display additional information like fuel level and trip meter. Some speedometers also include a warning light indicating to the driver if the speed exceeds.

It also provides a warning signal, if there is problem with the vehicle’s system, for example, overheating of the engine.

There are many smart speedometers available that can communicate with other systems, provide navigation instructions, or play music through the vehicle’s speaker.  

 

Difference between odometer and speedometer

The odometer and speedometer are the essential components of the vehicle, which provide critical information for the driver to maintain optimum speed. An odometer measures the total distance travelled by the vehicle, whereas the speedometer indicates the speed at which the vehicle is driven.  

The difference between the speedometer and odometer are tabulated below.

Speedometer	Odometer
The speedometer displays the current speed of the vehicle.	The odometer displays the total distance travelled by the vehicle.
The speedometer gives instantaneous readings.	The odometer gives cumulative readings.
The speedometer is located in such a way for the driver to easily view it.	Odometer is located on the instrument cluster or dashboard.
The measuring unit of the speedometer is KPH (kilometre per hour) or MPH (miles per hour).	The measuring unit of the odometer is miles or kilometres.

 

Conclusion

The odometer and speedometer have different functions, but both are important for components for the safe driving experience. The speedometer measures the speed of the vehicle, whereas the odometer calculates the total distance travelled by the vehicle.

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FAQs

1. Can the odometer be reset?

Resetting or tampering the odometer is considered illegal as the odometer reading are required to determine the value of the used vehicle.

 

2. Can the speedometer be repaired?

Yes, the speedometer can be repaired with the help of a trained professional.

 

3. How to read a speedometer?

The speedometer is very easy to read. When the vehicle is started or running, the needle in the speedometer moves to show the speed of the running vehicle.