How to Find Your Odometer

Look at the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel: the odometer is shown there as “ODO,” total “miles” or “km,” or as a field you can cycle to on a digital display. If the screen is dark, switch the ignition to ON (or press the start button once without pressing the brake) to wake it. On newer cars, use steering‑wheel buttons or a stalk switch to scroll through display pages until you see the total mileage. If it isn’t obvious, check the vehicle menu labeled “Info,” “Trips,” or “Vehicle,” your owner’s manual, or your brand’s phone app.

What you’re looking for

Analog vs. digital layouts

Most vehicles present the odometer in the driver’s instrument cluster. Older cars typically have a small rolling-number window at the bottom of the speedometer. Newer vehicles display the reading digitally on the cluster screen or within a “Trips/Info” sub-menu, often abbreviated as “ODO.”

Step-by-step: Show your odometer on a modern car

The following steps cover the most common ways to reveal the odometer on vehicles with key or push-button start, including those with digital instrument clusters.

1. Wake the cluster: Insert the key and turn to ON (not start), or press the Start/Stop button once without pressing the brake/clutch.
2. Look at the lower portion of the cluster for a field labeled “ODO,” “Miles,” or “km.”
3. If you see a trip reading (e.g., “TRIP A/B”) instead of total mileage, press the “Trip,” “Mode,” or “Info” button on the steering wheel, dash, or wiper stalk to cycle views.
4. On vehicles with a multi-information display, use the left/right or up/down arrows on the steering wheel to navigate to the “Info,” “Vehicle,” or “Trips” page; select “Odometer” or “Total.”
5. If the cluster is fully digital and still not showing mileage, open the main vehicle menu on the center screen and look for “Trips,” “Vehicle Info,” or “Cluster Settings,” then enable or display the odometer tile.
6. For push-button cars that remain dark, open the driver’s door, then press the Start/Stop button (without brake) twice to fully power the cluster.

In most cases, the odometer appears automatically once the cluster wakes; if it cycles through trip meters, continue toggling until the total accumulated mileage appears.

Where to find it by vehicle type

Older or analog-instrument cars

Expect a rectangular window with rolling digits at the bottom of the speedometer. It often sits near the trip reset stem, which protrudes from the gauge glass—avoid pressing and holding unless you intend to reset only the trip meter.

Digital clusters (most 2010s–present)

The odometer is usually a small, persistent field near the speed readout or within the “Trips/Info” page. Use steering wheel arrows or an “i/INFO” button to cycle pages until “ODO” or “Total” appears.

Electric vehicles

EVs display total mileage just like gas cars, typically on the driver’s display or under “Trips.” For Tesla, tap Controls (car icon) > Trips to view the odometer; voice commands like “Show odometer” can also work. Other EVs (e.g., from Ford, Hyundai, GM, Volkswagen, Rivian) typically show it on the cluster and duplicate it under “Trips” or “Vehicle Info” on the center screen.

Motorcycles and scooters

Glance at the bottom of the gauge cluster. Press the “Mode,” “Select,” or “Trip” button to toggle between Trip A, Trip B, and ODO. The odometer is the cumulative total; trips are resettable.

Bicycles and e-bikes

On e-bikes, the display unit (bar-mounted) cycles between speed, trip, and total mileage. Look for “ODO” or “Total.” On stand-alone bike computers, press “Mode/Page” to reach the odometer screen.

Trip meter vs. odometer

Understanding the difference prevents accidental resets and helps you track maintenance accurately.

• Odometer (ODO): The permanent, cumulative distance the vehicle has traveled. It does not reset during normal use.
• Trip meter(s) (Trip A/B): Resettable counters used to track a specific journey, fuel tank, or service interval.
• Buttons/labels to look for: “Trip,” “Mode,” “Info,” an “i” icon, up/down arrows, or a stalk button near the cluster.

If you see Trip A/B but not total mileage, keep cycling the display; stopping on “ODO” or “Total” will show the permanent reading.

If it still doesn’t appear

When the obvious screens don’t reveal the odometer, these resources usually do.

• Owner’s manual or in-car digital manual: Search “odometer,” “instrument cluster,” or “multi-information display.”
• On-screen search: Many modern infotainment systems have a search bar—type “odometer” or “trips.”
• Voice commands: Try “Show odometer,” “Display trips,” or “Vehicle info.”
• Brand mobile app/telematics: Some connected-car apps display current odometer once the vehicle is linked and online.
• Service receipts/inspection reports: Recent dealer or shop visits typically list the odometer reading at the time of service.

Most manufacturers place the odometer within the cluster by default; if it’s hidden, a menu setting or brief manual check usually resolves it.

When the display is broken or dead

If the cluster won’t power on or the odometer is unreadable, there are still ways to document approximate mileage for maintenance or paperwork.

• Check maintenance records, inspection stickers, or oil-change tags for the last documented mileage.
• Use connected-car history (if enabled) to view the last synced odometer in your app or account.
• Review insurance photos, valuation reports, or vehicle history services that may list prior readings.
• Ask a dealer to scan OEM modules; while the odometer isn’t a standard OBD-II readout, some brands store it in multiple control units.

These sources won’t replace a functioning odometer, but they can provide reasonable documentation until the display is repaired.

Legal and practical notes

Odometer tampering is illegal in many jurisdictions; the total reading should not be altered or “rolled back.” It is often required on sale documents, inspections, and lease returns. Note whether your display is in miles or kilometers; many clusters allow toggling units in settings, but the total value remains the same distance expressed in the chosen unit.

Summary

The odometer is almost always in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, labeled “ODO,” “Total,” or simply shown as miles/kilometers. Wake the display, then use steering wheel or stalk buttons to cycle through information pages if needed. For EVs and digital-heavy models, check “Trips/Vehicle Info” on the cluster or center screen, and use voice commands or the owner’s manual if it’s not obvious. Avoid resetting trip meters by mistake, and never attempt to alter the odometer reading.

Where can I find my odometer?

The odometer is located on the dashboard, usually within the instrument cluster next to the speedometer. In modern vehicles, it’s a digital display showing numerical digits of the total distance traveled, while in older vehicles, it may be a mechanical dial with rotating cogs.
 
Here’s how to find it:

1. 1. Locate the Dashboard: Opens in new tabLook at the panel directly in front of the driver, behind the steering wheel. 
2. 2. Find the Instrument Cluster: Opens in new tabThis is the panel containing the gauges and warning lights, including the speedometer. 
3. 3. Look for the Mileage Display: Opens in new tabThe odometer is the digital or mechanical display that shows the total mileage (or kilometers) a vehicle has traveled. It may be a dedicated section of the display, or you might need to press a button or turn a dial on the steering wheel or dashboard to show it. 

How do I find my original odometer reading?

How to verify a vehicle’s odometer reading

1. Check the distance travelled.
2. Check the car’s logbook.
3. Check the wear and tear.
4. Get a vehicle history report and inspection.

Is an odometer the same as mileage?

No, an odometer and mileage are not the same; an odometer is the instrument that measures and displays the distance a vehicle has traveled, while mileage refers to the actual total distance itself. The odometer’s reading is how you know the vehicle’s mileage.
 
Odometer

• What it is: A device or system in a vehicle that measures and records the total distance it has been driven. 
• How it works: It can be mechanical (with gears and dials) or digital (using sensors and a computer). 
• Purpose: To track a vehicle’s usage, help with maintenance, determine its resale value, and understand fuel efficiency. 

Mileage

• What it is: The total distance a vehicle has traveled throughout its lifespan. 
• How it’s displayed: It is the number shown on the odometer, which can be in miles or kilometers, depending on the vehicle and country. 
• Significance: A high mileage can indicate heavy use, while a low mileage can suggest a vehicle has been used less. 

In summary, the odometer shows the mileage.

Where is odometer mileage stored?

The data gathered by the odometer is stored in the vehicle’s ECU or BCM and in most cases is also stored in the odometer itself.