Service Interval Guesswork with Broken Odometer

[wfls]

I recently purchased a 1990 Nissan truck from craigslist. Its an ugly beast, but I got it inspected before purchase and its mechanically-sound. One problem I accepted when I purchased the vehicle is that the odometer is broken: the "tenths" digit turns as expected, but the "ones," "tens," "hundreds," "thousands," "ten-thousands," and "hundred-thousands" digits are frozen.

What are some alternative ways of determining when it is time for routine oil-change if you are not aware of elapsed mileage? I was quoted a cost $180 - 400 to fix the odometer, but since this is a work truck I would like to avoid any cost that is not absolutely necessary ...

 

[EType]

Impute mileage from gas receipts?

 

[BubbaFL]

The easiest way is to track fuel consumption and use that to determine service intervals.

One other thing to keep in mind if you're using this for business - you can't use the standard mileage rate method to figure your deduction with a broken odometer. You'll have to track actual expenses.

 

[Jarlaxle]

speedo cluster from a salvage yard maybe?

 

[mrsilv04]

Get a cheap GPS unit that tracks mileage as you drive.

I have an older Quest model, and it has an odometer function on it.

 

[wfls]

Ah, that is a good point. This truck is used solely for business purposed, so I can deduct all of the expenses I incur. That being said, because I bought such an old truck (no depreciation to speak of) and plan to do most of the routine service and repair myself, it would probably be to my advantage to deduct per-mile rather than per-expense.

Is fixing an odometer something that can be done rather easily? I assumed otherwise, because manufacturers try to make them difficult to tamper with in the first place. Is the fact that the "tenths" digit turns as expected meaningful? I am not sure how odometers typically fail ...

 

[SteveSRT8]

Best way to track service is fuel used. Just keep track of how many gallons you burn!

 

[caravanmike]

hour meters are cheap

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Odometergears.com has replacement gears and online repair instructions. I don't know if the gears are your problem since one digit works, but it might be worth checking. I used one of their gears to fix a broken Saturn odometer.

 

[TFB1]

Since the tenths still operates you likely have a failed odo assembly, the gear fix is generally for complete failure...

As far as removing the complete cluster and swapping with a used, on most vehicles it's a few minute job...

 

[gfh77665]

Don't worry about fixing an "ugly beast" 1990 Nissan truck. Its not worth any more $$$ than is necessary to keep it running. So, look back at how often you changed oil in your previous vehicle you worked in. Did you have for example, three 5000 mile changes in a year? If so, simply change oil 3X per year, or every four months.

I apply this practice to the 1998 Ford Expedition with the same issue. Guessing IS close enough in a situation like this!

 

[mattwithcats]

Get a vibration hour meter.

$25-$30 dollars...

Every 60 hours dino oil or 200 synthetic, change oil.
Change air filter every second oil change...

www.alliedelec.com/search/searchresults.aspx?dsNav=Ntkrimary%7Cvibration+hour+meter%7C3%7C,Ny:True,Ro:0&dsDimensionSearch=D:vibration+hour+meter,Dxm:All,Dxp:3&SearchType=0&Term=vibration+hour+meter

 

[JamesBond]

Just change it once a year, or as often as your last vehicle.

 

[Lyman]

I had a broken speedo on an old car I had. I bought a cheap GPS for it. It had a speedo function along with total miles that you could reset. Worked great.