Tesla Odometer and Trip Meter:
Track More than Your Miles
All Tesla vehicles have an odometer used to measure the total distance the vehicle has travelled over its lifetime. Teslas also have a trip odometer which displays distance, duration as well as total and average energy used since the last charge. Access your odometer through the touchscreen or phone app.
Tesla Odometer and Trip Meter
Like all vehicles, Teslas have a standard odometer, used to measure the distance a vehicle has travelled. The distance is cumulative, starting from “0” miles (or kilometres) on a brand new car.
Tesla vehicles also come with a trip odometer (trip meter) which tells drivers the distance and duration or their trips, as well as the total and average energy used since the previous charge.
How to Find the Odometer on a Tesla
Unlike most gas-powered vehicles that show odometer readings on the dashboard either digitally or mechanically, Tesla’s odometer must be accessed through the touchscreen or phone app.
Here’s how to check the mileage on your Tesla:
Using the touchscreen:
- Select Controls>Software
- The odometer reading is located directly above the reset for the trip
Or
- Select Controls>Trip
- Scroll down to see the odometer reading (located directly above the reset for the trip)
Using the Tesla phone app:
- Open the app and scroll all the way to the bottom
- Your odometer reading is displayed just above your VIN number
Why an Odometer is Important
In conventional gas-powered vehicles, odometers are used as a measure of wear and tear on the car’s tires and engine to help assess its market value.
In electric vehicles, odometers are used primarily to determine the loss of battery capacity and driving range, making your odometer number a good gauge for when to replace your battery.
Odometers and Battery Life
Elon Musk has indicated that Tesla batteries will last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. The batteries used in Tesla vehicles outperform many EVs and drivers can expect batteries to perform like new for 100,000-150,000 miles.
Even after 160,000 miles, battery degradation is estimated at only 10%, making Tesla vehicles one of the longest lasting cars available.
Trip Odometer (Trip Meter)
In addition to a standard odometer, all Tesla vehicles come with a trip odometer.
Also known as a trip meter, this instrument measures the distance of your trips plus the total and average energy used since the last charge.
Information on the Trip Odometer
The trip odometer displays:
- Distance travelled since the last charge
- Total energy used since the last charge (kWh)
- Average energy used since the last charge (Wh/mi)
- Distance, total energy used (kWh) and average energy (Wh/mi) for up to two trips (Trip A and B)
- Current Odometer reading
How Do I Use the Trip Meter on My Tesla?
Use your trip odometer feature to:
View information about your current trip:
- Using the touchscreen, select Controls>Trips
Set up your next trip:
- Rename the trip (if you’d like) and select “reset” at the start of your trip
How to Rename Trips
Instead of the standard “Trip A” or “Trip B”, you can rename your trips. Note that the trip meter only allows data to be displayed for two trips (in addition to your current trip).
Here’s how to rename your trips:
From the Trips screen (Controls>Trips):
- Tap on “Trip A” or “Trip B” (displayed in blue)
- A pop-up will appear to allow for a name change
- Enter a new name for the trip
- Press Save
Pro Tips:
When we prepare our Tesla vehicles for winter, our pros rename one of the trips “Winter Season”. This now enables us to track the precise distance (and wear) on our winter tires.
Loaning out your vehicle? One of our pros frequently loans out his Tesla. Before handing it over, he resets one of the trips so he can tell how far the vehicle has been driven in his absence.
How to Reset a Trip
Whether you’re tracking mileage for work or taking a long road trip, here’s how to reset the trip odometer:
To reset a trip:
- From the Trips screen (Controls>Trips)
- Scroll to the bottom
- Select the trip you wish to reset (current, Trip A or Trip B)
- Select its associated Reset button
Kilowatts and Wh/Mi Displays on the Trip Odometer
Tesla displays the total energy in kilowatts (kWh) and the watts per mile (Wh/Mi) data on the trip odometer.
Tesla includes this data to show drivers the total energy consumption (kWh) versus the efficiency of the energy (Wh/Mi) required for their Tesla. This helps drivers to anticipate the range of their vehicle and helps them prepare for the next trip.
What Does Wh/Mi Mean?
Wh/Mi stands for watts per mile, a measure of the amount of electrical energy used per mile travelled. Wh/Mi measures EV efficiency similarly to miles per gallon (MPG) in a gas-powered vehicle. However, unlike MPG, Wh/Mi is affected whenever energy is consumed in the vehicle.
So, even when the car isn’t moving, energy is still consumed, which will affect your Tesla’s efficiency or Wh/Mi. You’ll notice your Wh/Mi will change when idling, parked, during cold weather, and when cabin features are used, such as heated seats and steering wheel.
Pro Tip:
Improve your efficiency (Wh/Mi) by preconditioning your vehicle and shifting your driving habits – particularly during winter.
Tesla boasts the lowest energy consumption and highest efficiency of 277 electric vehicles tested.
FAQs
Do Teslas have odometers?
Like all vehicles, Teslas have a standard odometer, used to measure the total distance a vehicle has travelled. The distance is cumulative, starting from “0” miles (or kilometres) on a brand new car.
Is the Tesla odometer accurate?
Other than very rare reports of the odometer getting “stuck” due to software glitches, Tesla odometers are accurate. Some drivers suggest that entering the wrong tire size could have a negligible effect on the accuracy of odometer readings.
Can you roll back the odometer on a Tesla?
Firstly, it’s illegal to inspect, service or tamper with the odometer on any vehicle, without legitimate documentation.
Secondly, although some governments are now demanding that EV owners pay an electric vehicle road tax (seriously, hello New Zealand!), it’s still not cool to “clock” or “bust miles” on your EV.
How long will a Tesla battery last?
Elon Musk has indicated that Tesla batteries will last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles, before needing to be replaced. Tesla also suggests that owners should expect batteries to perform like new for 100,000-150,000 miles.
Can I access the Odometer on the Tesla phone app?
The Odometer is located on the Tesla phone app at the very bottom of the main page, just above your Tesla VIN number.
Can I access the trip meter on Tesla phone app?
The trip meter (trip odometer) is not available on Tesla’s phone app. Information related to trips can only be accessed through the vehicle’s touchscreen by selecting Controls>Trips.
