Odometer is NOT accurate ??? - MINI2

Quadra · #1 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 04:24 PM

The odometer (distance counter) appears to be inaccurate. Today (May 25th), on my way to dropping my daughter to the mall, I broke 100 miles... what a milestone so it's very clear in my mind. About 3 miles later, I dropped her off at the mall then I drove about 4 or 5 miles more to pick-up pizza. Then I noticed, my Mini already has 115 miles ??? I'm 99 percent sure that it's not accurate. Going to the mall & picking up pizza are routine for me. Thus, I have a pretty good idea of the distances I've covered.
The odometer is either FAST or "jumped" (added miles between shut-off and turning the car back on.) I think it's the former. I'll keep a very close eye on the odometer and we'll do some testing. I recall that there were others in Mini2 forum who've expressed the same concerns relative to the inaccuracies of the odometer. I'll contact MiniUSA & my dealer once I've validated my suspicions.
Any thoughts or comments???

monsta · #2 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 04:31 PM

That could explain how I have covered 14,500 miles since August!!

Seriously though, please post your findings

AidenL · #3 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 05:07 PM

It couldnt be out by a factor of 3 could it ?? Should make MPG readings seem pretty good though !!

BruceK · #4 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quadra
The odometer (distance counter) appears to be inaccurate. ...

Is there a section of highway near you with mile marker posts? If so, you could take a small trip of perhaps 10 marked miles and see what your odometer says.

OR.... take a specific trip in another car and note the distance and then take the same trip in your MINI to compare.

Silver Surfer · #5 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 07:17 PM

someone had a dealer loan mini and it put 300 miles on its self overnight

Marts · #6 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2002, 07:19 PM

This is an interesting as well as concerning thread ,

it isn't calibrated for kilometers , but recording miles??????

PigLick · #7 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 02:56 AM

I'm pretty sure that the previous time this came up it was found to be due to a paperwork error, and the odometer was fine. Please let us know what you find out though. The ECU defintely has not been perfect in other areas, and I'm sure it runs the odometer, so it wouldn't be a huge stretch to imagine it being off.

PigLick

timlowden771 · #8 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 07:31 AM

I was driving along the Motorway the other day and I thought I would see how accurate my odometer is. I used the Emergency phone boxes which are exacly 1 mile apart and my odometer was 100% perfect.

Quadra · #9 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 08:32 AM

It seems that I overreacted & I apologize.

Simple test:
X) - drove my Mini, from my driveway to church and back. Roundtrip = 5.1 miles.
Y)- drove my Honda Odyssey minivan, driveway/church/back, same lane & same exact route.
Roundtrip = 5.1 miles.

BAD NEWS: I obviously miscalculated the distances that I've covered (shopping mall, pizza place, etc.) in my original post.
GOOD NEWS: I was having so much fun driving my Mini that it rendered me "dazed & confuzed" relative to the distances that I've covered.
CONCLUSION: My grin to grin factor is still up there. It truly is a FUN car to drive. So far so good.... time flies when you're having fun (or should I say: miles accumulate when you're having fun...)

Bilbo Baggins · #10 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver Surfer
someone had a dealer loan mini and it put 300 miles on its self overnight

This remindes me of the story of the Princesses new shoes.

PigLick · #11 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2002, 11:32 PM

Glad to hear Quadra, and thanks for the update. And not that I doubted you, but I kinda assumed that was the exact problem

I don't know about most people, but I don't keep track of the everyday, mundane distances I drive (such as those you described). I'm sure in a new car (especially as one as special as a MINI) things can seem much different, especially if you're looking for problems like many new MINI owners are. Glad to hear everything is fine. =)

PigLick

Johnboy · #12 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2002, 07:30 PM

Incidentally, I have a handheld GPS and a Nav. unit.
In the UK, I heard a rumour that the police allow for a 10% variance in the miles-per-hour reading on your speedo, and the true speed - To allow for tyre wear (15s vs. 16s vs 17s too).

I have noticed that the speedo is over-reading by approx. 5-6mph at 70mph.... Which is actually good news because
a) You are driving below the legal limit, rather than above it.
b) It's more accurate than the 10% tolerance!

If you are in the UK, look for the circular markers on the sides of straight bits of dual carriageway and motorway - There are four, with increasing quarters of the pie blocked out as you travel down the road - I think you'll find they are exactly 1/4 of a mile apart, and are allegedly used by the police to calibrate their speedos.

J.