Does Changing An Instrument Cluster Mean Changing Your Mileage?

If you need to replace your instrument cluster, you may be worried about something. Does replacing the instrument cluster “reset” the mileage on your vehicle? If it does, the odometer won't show an accurate representation of the mileage on your vehicle. That’s a valid concern. So does changing an instrument cluster mean changing your mileage?

The short answer is no. Replacing the instrument or gauge cluster won’t reset the mileage.

The long answer?

It depends on your vehicle. The actual mileage is stored electronically in all modern vehicles. On many GM clusters, the mileage is stored in the cluster. This is also true for some Japanese cars. In many cars, the ECU stores the mileage. In other cases, the body control module (BCM) stores the information.

How To Make Sure That The Mileage Is Accurate On Your New Instrument Cluster

In some newer vehicles, you may not need to do anything. The mileage will automatically show up on the new instrument cluster when you install it. It will receive the information from the computer or chip that contains it and display the mileage. In these cars, the instrument cluster is just a display. It receives information from the ECU, BCM, chips, and sensors around the vehicle.

As we mentioned, some cars store mileage in the cluster. If you can't see the mileage due to the cluster being dead, we recommend that you send the cluster to us for repair. When we repair these units, we can often pull the mileage from the cluster.

If you have an older car, the mileage on your replacement instrument cluster may need to be set manually. When you order a cluster from us, we'll match the mileage up on the unit we send you with the mileage on your vehicle. That way, the mileage reads exactly like it's supposed to.

Always Write Down The Mileage Before Removing The Old Instrument Cluster

Even if you have a newer vehicle with an ECU, it's still a good idea to write down the mileage before removing your old instrument cluster. We encourage all our customers to do this. Doing this will:

• Help you ensure that the mileage remains accurate after you install your new instrument cluster
• Give you the peace of mind that the mileage is accurate

If the instrument cluster went blank and won't come back on, you can still get your mileage if your car has an ODB-II port. You can attach a scanner to the port and read the mileage. Scanners are very inexpensive these days.

Do you have any questions about displaying the mileage on your new instrument cluster? You're welcome to contact us!