How to track mileage without an odometer & why you need to do it

There can be a lot of reasons that an odometer stopped functioning. For whatever reason it may be, an odometer is indispensable. Before we delve further into the topic of tracking your vehicle’s mileage without an odometer, Philkotse.com will discuss what this device is and how it functions.

1. What is an odometer?

By all means, an odometer is a device that measures the distance or mileage traveled by car, motor, truck or any form of vehicle. For most cars and other types of vehicles, you can find an odometer installed in a dashboard.

Its etymology came from the Greek word referring to “measure” and “path.” For older makes of cars and vehicles, mechanical odometers were installed.

These mechanical odometers have what we call as cogs. These cogs represent a numerical value and will instantly turn according to the rotation of the wheels through a cable connection. The current mileage tracked will appear through a cracked window casing.

For digital odometers that are installed in new car models, a chip similar to what a computer may have, tracks the vehicle’s mileage. 

An odometer is a device that measures the distance or mileage traveled by a vehicle

2. How can I track my mileage without an odometer?

No matter what the causes are, you can drive and fail to realize that your odometer is not functioning. If this is the case, there are a lot of options you can rely on when it comes to tracking your mileage.

Downloading a mile tracker app

The online world is nothing short of discovering fascinating things (and even some weird finds). Luckily, for those who don’t have a functioning odometer, you can utilize your smartphone and put it to good use by downloading a mileage tracker app.

What you need to do is go to Google Play Store (for Android users) and App Store (for iOS users) and find a mileage tracker app for your liking. Since there are a lot of developers, applications are varied as well.

The thing about choosing your mileage app tracker lies in your device’s compatibility, your level of convenience when using it, and a user-friendly interface (especially if you’re not one of those who would label themselves as the techy type).

You can utilize your smartphone and put it to good use by downloading a mileage tracker app

Using online maps such as Google Maps or Apple Maps

If apps are not your thing and you’re pretty much an office to home kind of traveler, maybe noting the miles by hand should work best for you.

With an online connection at bay, input your destination from your starting point and record the distance by kilometer or miles indicated. At the same time, not how many trips would you take for you to get back home or to your starting point before the day ends.

For example, if you are from Silang, Cavite, going to Trece Martires, Cavite for a business trip, input the exact location or address of a household, office or enterprise to which you will visit on Trece Martires.

Then, encode where you are coming from Silang. Note that the results or distance indicated is suitable for one trip only. This means that you have to multiply it by two to obtain the results for a roundtrip mileage.

Maybe noting the miles by hand should work best for you

If you are going to use this kind of method for every day of your driving life, better have a notebook and a pen tucked inside your compartment to record the distance you’ve traveled.

3. Why do you need to have a record of your car’s mileage?

There are a lot of reasons why a person needs to take hold of his mileage such as you can know how far your used car has gone so far. Let's look at and evaluate these reasons for every vehicle operator's perspective.

Tax Deduction

Although this line expense item is not typical for the Filipino people, individuals can use their mileage records as an outright expense for their financial details such as tax deductible. However, the Philippine laws don't state this for the accounting and tax treatment of each working Filipino, so it’s not a deductible item.

Individuals can use their mileage records as an outright expense for their financial details such as tax deductible

>>> Worth to note: Understanding taxes and fees when buying a car in the Philippines

 Expense recordings for business owners

Business owners need to be guided as to what resources are they using. Another line item for the financial statements of business includes a depreciation expense for vehicles and expenses about its repair and gasoline. Recorded mileage can be a basis for its warranty coverage, and at the same time, it's estimated life.

Recorded mileage can be a basis for its warranty coverage, and at the same time, it's estimated life

4. Fun Facts About the Discovery of Odometers

Now that you know how to record your vehicle's mileage without an odometer, here are some fun facts you need to know about this mileage-tracking device.

It was said that almost all of the greatest inventions in the world have been rooted in Ancient Greece. It was, no doubt, a place of wonder. Amazingly, the discovery of odometers can be credited to Ancient Greece’s culture for tinkering and innovating new devices.

As history would suggest, the first recorded proof of odometers was traced way back to Ancient Rome. However, this alone would not propose the thought that these devices were in fact from Ancient Rome.

The etymology of the name “odometer” came from Greek words, “metron” and “hodos.” Metron meaning “to measure” and hodos can be referred to as “path” or “gateway.”

Odometers can be credited to Ancient Greece’s culture for tinkering and innovating new devices

In the writings of Strabo, the routes Alexander the Great were recorded and inscribed. This became the first indirect evidence that odometers were used as Alexander the Great conquered the lands he stepped his feet unto.

The distances between lands that Strabo described in his writings were pretty detailed and accurate. It's as if he was guided with a device that can measure paths. What device could that be? Yes, you guessed it right. An odometer.

In conclusion, not much is given attention or focus on this ancient device. In fact, with the continued innovations of car manufacturers worldwide, odometers might be losing its sparkle as a crucial tool for a vehicle.

Nonetheless, it has been a part of the dashboard essentials from its discovery in Ancient Greece up until the present digital odometers would grace a car for its single purpose.

>>> Visit Philkotse.com to find more useful tips and advice.