Every car on the road has an odometer. The odometer is a device in your instrument cluster that calculates the distance traveled. It is typically in digit forms or identified in the form of mileage.
The odometer is essential for keeping track of the distance traveled, for a tire change, oil change, and any scheduled maintenance. What if car mileage resets itself? It will be a significant concern. So, in this article, we will discuss at length how to reset odometer.
But before we get to that, I want you to understand that this article’s intent is for educational purposes and not for fraudulent activities, so you can legally reset odometer.
The sole aim of writing this article is to save you from nightmares; suppose your odometer resets itself.
What’s an Odometer?
An odometer is a device that measures the distance traveled by a vehicle. In the U.S., this data is measured in miles (mileage), while in other countries, the distance is measured in kilometers (kilometrage).
Older cars use a set of gears to count wheel rotations (scaled to miles or kilometers) and transfer this information to a mechanical odometer. Newer vehicles use a digital odometer and a computerized system to report mileage.
Is it legal to reset the odometer?
The short answer is NO. It has been reported recently that several dealers had access to a device which allowed them to reset mileage.
As vehicles with fewer miles are worth more, companies prefer to have a special gadget that will help them make a further profit. But the main question is whether resetting the information is legal.
Of course, resetting an odometer or any such action is illegal in the United States. There is a Federal statute in force that forbids it and many states created specific laws outlawing it as well.
The Federal statute clearly indicates that a person may not “disconnect, reset, alter, or have disconnected, reset, or altered, an odometer of a motor vehicle intending to change the mileage registered by the odometer.”
The law also forbids any kind of conspiracy regarding this matter and the party convicted faces the same punishment.
Anyone who violates this statute may be sued by the US government for $10,000 in civil penalties per violation. Moreover, a person faces fines and up to three years in prison.
In addition, any person who bought a car with reset data and no door stickers may face a lawsuit.
Any party who does not follow the strict rule will receive a fine of minimum $10 000. The amount may differ and can reach hundreds of thousands depending on other circumstances.
Why do people reset odometer?
There are two major reasons why people try to reset mileage of the automobile. First is the technical issue of the system when it resets itself automatically.
Make sure to double-check everything, because this is an extremely rare occasion in modern vehicles and in most cases, the real problem is something else.
The second reason behind such action is a person’s fraudulent purposes. Especially if someone tries to sell an automobile shortly. The idea is quite simple. The less distance a vehicle has covered, the higher its price will be.
In addition, low kilometers attract buyers and your chances to sell an auto increase significantly.
Therefore, the reasons behind such actions can be different and opposite to each other. While one is caused by a pure technical drawback, another is based on the unethical use of a modern device.
The last one is much easier on a car with a digital speedometer and is also harder to detect. As you can guess, changing any information within the system is not good intentions.
So, be careful and try to check as many details as possible before you purchase anything on a market.
Reasons for Odometer Reset
While it is important to note that resetting or tampering with an odometer for fraudulent purposes is illegal and unethical, there are legitimate reasons for performing an odometer reset.
It is crucial to differentiate between legitimate cases and fraudulent intent to maintain transparency and integrity in the automotive industry. Here are some valid reasons for an odometer reset:
- Instrument Cluster Replacement: In some cases, the odometer may need to be reset when the instrument cluster, which houses the odometer display, is replaced. This is necessary to ensure that the new instrument cluster accurately reflects the vehicle’s mileage rather than displaying the mileage from the old cluster.
- Mechanical or Electrical Repairs: During extensive mechanical or electrical repairs, the vehicle’s odometer may need to be reset to reflect the mileage accurately after the repairs are completed. This ensures that the recorded mileage aligns with the actual distance traveled by the vehicle.
- Restoration Projects: Restoring classic or vintage vehicles often involves repairing or replacing various components, including the instrument cluster. In such cases, resetting the odometer can be necessary to reflect the restored vehicle’s accurate mileage.
- Salvage Title Vehicles: When a vehicle has a salvage title, indicating that it has been declared a total loss by an insurance company, the odometer may be reset when the vehicle is rebuilt and reclassified for road use. This helps establish an accurate starting point for the vehicle’s mileage after the salvage title designation.
- Manufacturer Recalls or Warranty Work: In rare cases, certain manufacturer recalls or warranty repairs may involve replacing or repairing components that can impact the accuracy of the odometer readings. Resetting the odometer in such instances ensures that the recorded mileage aligns with the repaired or replaced parts.
It is important to note that in legitimate cases where an odometer reset is required, the process should be carried out by qualified professionals using appropriate tools and adhering to legal requirements.
Transparency and documentation are crucial to maintaining accurate records and ensuring fair and trustworthy transactions within the automotive industry.
How to reset the odometer
Many old car sellers reset the odometer to make the vehicle appear newer and demand more money from the buyer. How do that they that?
#1. Changing the instrument cluster.
In most Japanese cars, the mileage is stored on the instrument cluster, not on the ECU. If you replace the cluster with a new one, the mileage will show zero.
If you take the cluster from another car, the dashboard will show the mileage from the original vehicle. The legal way is to transpose the miles from the old unit before the replacement.
#2. Tampering with a knob.
There is a knob near the dashboard that does multiple functions like temperature evaluation and showing the remaining fuel percentage.
But, you can use it for manipulating the odometer reading too. Just press it for a few seconds when you see the fuel’s economy. It will reset the odometer to ‘0’.
#3. Reassemble the odometer.
If you have good technical knowledge about car parts and mechanisms, resetting a mechanical odometer in an older vehicle is an easy job.
You have to dismount the odometer and change its values before reassembling. It will be difficult to do the tampering if the odometer has a tamper-proof seal.
If you decide to do the rigging, remember to match the mileage with the condition of the vehicle. The average lifespan of tires is 25,000 km. It will clearly look fishy if the tires are in a dire condition but the odometer reads only 10,000 miles.
What methods are used to reset odometer reading?
#1. Manual Rolling Back.
Manual odometer rolling back is the process of physically changing a vehicle’s mechanical components to reduce the indicated mileage.
This usually involves removing the odometer, detaching it from the vehicle’s drive system, and physically twisting the gears to roll back the numbers.
This manipulation has an impact on the gears and dials that represent mileage in classic mechanical odometers.
Turning these components backward reduces the displayed mileage, making it look as if the car has driven fewer miles than it has. This is frequently used to deceive potential purchasers about the vehicle’s wear and tear.
#2. Software Manipulation.
The electronic control unit (ECU) in modern cars includes the odometer and uses software to track and show mileage.
To alter the recorded mileage by software manipulation, a person often has to use special equipment or connect the software to the car’s engine control unit (ECU).
This can be done for a number of reasons, such as concealing severe wear and tear or increasing the vehicle’s resale value by showing lower miles.
#3. Chip Reprogramming.
Odometer chip reprogramming is a way to electrically change a vehicle’s mileage reading. Modern cars include digital odometers that are controlled by an inbuilt microprocessor or chip. An expert gains access to the vehicle’s computer system during reprogramming.
They then change the mileage information recorded in the chip to show a different figure.
For example, imagine suddenly a car’s odometer fails and displays incorrect miles. To resolve this, a specialist can reprogram the odometer chip.
They would retrieve odometer chip data and enter the right mileage. For example, if the odometer displays 150,000 miles after a repair but the real mileage is 120,000, the technician can reset the chip to display 120,000 miles.
This technique guarantees that the vehicle’s mileage correctly reflects its usage, resulting in consistency and accuracy in automobile statistics.
#4. Instrument Cluster Swapping.
Instrument cluster switching is the practice of replacing the instrument cluster, which shows important vehicle information, such as speed, fuel level, and miles, with another cluster, usually from a different vehicle.
This process is normally performed to repair or improve the mileage display, but it may also be used to change the vehicle’s mileage readings.
To change the mileage, the new or replacement cluster’s odometer reading must be adjusted to match the original or desired mileage.
You can do this by using specialized tools or software that interfaces with the vehicle’s electronic systems.
The calibration of the new cluster is crucial for accurate mileage reporting, which is important for maintaining vehicle value and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
#5. ECU Replacement.
ECU (Engine Control Unit) replacement involves swapping the original computer system in the vehicle with a new or remanufactured one.
The ECU regulates a variety of engine operations, including fuel injection, ignition timing, and pollution levels. Replacing it can solve problems, including engine performance or electrical malfunctions.
Changing mileage with an ECU replacement means either reprogramming the new ECU to match the car’s genuine mileage or modifying the mileage data contained in the ECU.
This method is occasionally used in car sales to fix mileage differences, although it can be illicit and unethical if used to mislead buyers. The ideal method includes honest disclosure and meticulous logging of any mileage modifications made.
#6. Disconnecting Battery.
Disconnecting a car battery means removing it from its terminals, which usually resets the car’s whole electronic system.
Once the battery is disconnected, the ECU loses its power source. This reboot might reset or change stored data, including the vehicle’s mileage statistics.
But how does it affect car mileage? People intentionally remove the battery from its source to trigger electronic malfunction and force the system to reset.
The ECU controls the odometer, which monitors the car’s miles. Unplugging the battery can occasionally mislead the vehicle’s system into reporting lower mileage or returning to default data.
#7. Manipulating Wheel Sensors.
Wheel sensors are responsible for tracking and monitoring car wheel speed and rotation. Their correct functionality is essential for anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
Manipulating these sensors could significantly affect the data received by the vehicle’s computer system.
Manipulating the sensors to report false tire speeds is a common way of tampering. For instance, the odometer’s mileage may be artificially reduced if the sensors record less speed.
In this case, the system will calculate mileage based on the wrong speed information. This tactic is often used to deceive potential buyers and pretend as if a vehicle has driven much less mileage.
#8. Mileage Blocker Tool.
The mileage blocker is a specialized device commonly employed by automotive testers and technicians during the vehicle evaluation and testing process.
Its primary purpose is not to reset or alter the mileage records of a vehicle. Instead, it is designed to prevent adding new miles while a car is in motion.
Despite its lawful usage in testing conditions, the mileage blocker is often used unethically since it is the only device with untraceable performance.
Odometer Fraud Defined
Odometer fraud is more common in used car sales as opposed to new car and new vehicle sales, despite used car lemon laws.
Both federal and state laws prohibit odometer tampering. While each state has its own statute, federal law prohibits disconnecting, resetting, or altering a vehicle’s odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated.
When you’re buying a vehicle, the seller must issue a written disclosure of the mileage registered on an odometer to the purchaser.
If the odometer mileage is incorrect, the law requires the seller to furnish a statement to that effect on the vehicle title. This applies to used car dealers as well.
For example, California law requires car sellers to complete a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer Form (REG 262) and declare the correct mileage on the title.
However, if the vehicle is over 10 years old, the seller is exempt from providing any written disclosures or disclaimers regarding mileage.
FAQs.
Q: Why is my digital odometer not working?
If you find out your digital odometer is not working, there is a likelihood your speed sensor is bad. These sensors are usually mounted with one 12mm or 10mm bolt holding them on the back of your transmission.
Q: How do you reprogram an odometer?
Reprogramming odometer on older cars is a lot easier than on newer cars. However, there are common tricks that can work on both, especially on Japanese cars.
Most Japanese cars store their vehicle miles on the instrument cluster instead of on the car computer. So, the easiest and simple way of reprogramming your odometer on such cars is by replacing the instrument cluster.
Q: How do I fix my odometer?
Vehicles nowadays have speed sensors that read miles the vehicle has covered. The speed sensor is an electronic device fitted on the back of your transmission. If your speedometer is not working at all, slide under your vehicle and replace this sensor.
Suppose you’re using an older vehicle with an analog instrument cluster. In that case, you can remove the instrument cluster and inspect the gears that drive the miles, and change them if need be.
Q: How do you know if the odometer has tampered?
The odometer of any vehicle can be tampered with the aim to increase the vehicle resell value. On newer cars like Ferrari, this is done using some set of odometer reset software. So how do you know if it has been reset?
Physically inspect odometer tampering. Carefully inspect the odometer to ensure that all the numbers are well-aligned, readable, and do not look crooked. The next thing you want to do is inspect the tires’ lifespan.
Insert a penny into the tire tread facing Lincoln’s head down if the tire tread covers Lincoln’s head, it’s still okay and it’s just 2/32 an inch.
Final word
Now that you have known how to reset odometer, it will be easy for you to detect odometer fraud. Remember that your vehicle’s odometer should be old as the wears on all the vehicle parts.
However, before resetting your odometer, revisit the first few paragraphs of this article to understand the charges against odometer fraud.