Odometer...want to start new

[TZ Racer]

Does anyone know an easy way to set the odometer back to zero? Currently the odometer reads about 70,000. So it needs to be advanced a lot of miles to be back to zero.

Seeing how our we are completely rebuilding the car and the odometer in it isn't even the original one, I think it would be neat to set it back to zero. That way it will be easy to see how many miles we put on it after the rebuild.

[JonM]

You may want to check with your local DMV before you do that. It can be a hefty fine ($5000) and jail time. They may have paperwork you can submit for your situation.

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

[silver 80]

rolling the odo back is a NO NO

[mmvette80]

Call Redline Gauges and ask for John. 1-800-375-2310.

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-believe you can do whatever you wish with your speedometer's Odometer while you own the car, and when you sell the car you merely fill-out the believed true-mileage on the back of your Car-title (so called pink-slip); --its when one is trying to decieve the buyer that one can get in trouble with the State's men in black-suits knocking at your door... ~Bob vH


-Oh, and check-out the nifty website-mascot below, and then click on 69myway to see his slick'n spiffy Sidewinders!!!

[69MyWay]

It is only a crime if you are a dealer, or if you are trying to de-fraud somebody into thinking the mileage is lower.

I say roll her back to dead zero. I usually do that on all my project cars, then I sign the "odometer discrepancy" line on the title when I sell.

[L82Dan]

I really think that you need to check with your own local DMV department to see what their policy is on doing something like that. Remember, just like gun laws, no 2 states are the same!

TZRacer

Your restoring this thing from the ground up correct?

Turn that puppy back to ZERO!! This car is going to be as new or even better than the way it came from the factory.

This vette is going to be reborn again!!!

Frank

Here it is right out of the Florida statues:


319.35 Unlawful acts in connection with motor vehicle odometer readings; penalties.--

(1)(a) It is unlawful for any person knowingly to tamper with, adjust, alter, set back, disconnect, or fail to connect an odometer of a motor vehicle, or to cause any of the foregoing to occur to an odometer of a motor vehicle, so as to reflect a lower mileage than the motor vehicle has actually been driven, or to supply any written odometer statement knowing such statement to be false or based on mileage figures reflected by an odometer that has been tampered with or altered, except as hereinafter provided. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly bring into this state a motor vehicle which has an odometer that has been illegally altered.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly provide false information on the odometer readings required pursuant to ss. 319.23(3) and 320.02(2)(b).

(c) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, sell, or offer for sale, conceal, or dispose of in this state a motor vehicle with an odometer that has been tampered with so as to reflect a lower mileage than the motor vehicle has actually been driven, except as provided in paragraph (2)(a) and subsection (3).

(2)(a) This section does not prevent the service, repair, or replacement of an odometer if the mileage indicated thereon remains the same as before the service, repair, or replacement. If the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair, or replacement, the odometer must be adjusted to read zero and a notice in writing must be attached to the door frame of the vehicle by the owner or his or her agent specifying the mileage prior to repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which it was repaired or replaced.

(b) A person may not fail to adjust an odometer or affix a notice regarding such adjustment as required by paragraph (a).

(c) A person may not, with intent to defraud, remove or alter any notice affixed to a motor vehicle under paragraph (a).

(3) Any motor vehicle with an odometer that has been tampered with so as to reflect a lower mileage than the motor vehicle has actually been driven may not be knowingly operated on the streets and highways of the state in such condition unless the certificate of title and registration certificate of the vehicle have been conspicuously stamped so as to indicate the displayed mileage is inaccurate and written notice has been placed on the vehicle as described in paragraph (2)(a).

(4) If any person, with intent to defraud, possesses, sells, or offers to sell any motor vehicle with an odometer that has been illegally adjusted, altered, set back, or tampered with so as to reflect a lower mileage than the vehicle has actually been driven, such motor vehicle is contraband and is subject to seizure and forfeiture by a law enforcement agency or the department pursuant to ss. 932.701-932.704.

(5) Any person who intentionally violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ch. 70-233; s. 2, ch. 71-242; s. 191, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 78-183; s. 20, ch. 82-134; s. 3, ch. 83-91; s. 1, ch. 84-155; s. 1, ch. 91-138; s. 26, ch. 95-143; s. 348, ch. 95-148.

319.40 Transactions by electronic or telephonic means.--The department is authorized to accept any application provided for under this chapter by electronic or telephonic means.

History.--s. 18, ch. 97-300.

1319.41 Title history database.--The department shall make available on the Internet a database of title transactions searchable by vehicle identification number. In the Internet database, the department shall only provide access to information relating to the year, make, model, and mileage of the vehicle, along with the date of sales and any brands or outstanding liens on the title.

History.--s. 128, ch. 2002-20.

1Note.--Effective July 1, 2003.

[69MyWay]

To sum it all up.

As long as there is NO intent to defraud, mislead, or otherwise attempt to misrepresent......it is fine and dandy. (with full disclosure--as simple as checking the "warning-odometer discrepancy box on the title at time of sale"


ROLL IT BACK BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


**remember, I put an aftermarket speedo in my car. Therw as no way to do anything other than start at zero--just as mentioned in the statute above.**

I think the law is pretty clear.

[69MyWay]

Oh, back to your original question. I have the original speedo out of my car as well as a spare that came out of Bill Heauthers car. We can yank those open and figure out how it is done....and or just do it to one of these in general, and you can leave your original one alone. I need to go up in the attic and pull them down and give a look.

If you want to do it right go to DMV and tell them you need to replace your speedo. They will probably have you retitle your car speedo beyond mechanical limits and you will never have to worry about the mileage again. This is what occurrs after your car goes over 100,000 miles anyway. Thats why new car odometers have more digits.

There are plenty of Illegal cars out there now Look at the ones for sale. Do you really thing there are hundreds of 20/30 year olds cars out there with "RARE ONLY 37,000 MILES for sale. Unless you can actually trace the mileage back thru all the owners I wouldn't believe any of them. If some one gets put on the spot he will just play stupid and say "Well thats what it said when I got the car". I don't know what states record mileage on older cars but some did/do now. However that only applies until 100,000 miles are reached and the speedo rolls over.

[Yoda]

I have to agree with resto75 and I would contact the DMV or DOT in the state.. I read the statute posted as conditions of violation and I don't see that these conditions are either or statements. I think each stands on it's own merit as provided in the text of each penal code it reference's.

If each of the 5 sections, including subsections would be preceeded with "OR", I would have a different opinion, but the way I read what resto75 posted ... Any violation the statutory law as outlined could be punishable as a felony of the third degree.

If it were my car, I would take the time to personally check it out, since it could lead to a personal invitation to visit the state court system... . .


Bud

[mmvette80]

Hey, if you ever go to sell the car and someone makes a big deal about the speedo tell them "If you dont like the better than new condition car then move along and let someone else take a look."

[69MyWay]

I seem to have a much stronger different opinion than most here. Let me add a little light to the situation.

Since I am an auto insurance adjuster I deal with VOLUMES of titles each week. It is a very clear and simple process in terms of the declaration on the odometer, and the Floirda title is simple and direct about it.

If the mileage is accurate, you testify on your own oath (punishible by fine, etc) to that fact, and you check the box indicating mileage is correct.

On any vehcile over 10 years old, unless specifically requested it is autmoatically given a "vehicle exceeds mechanical limits" identification and the actual miles are no longer tracked or identified or held accountable by the state of florida. So, on a customized 1971, it is a null point all together!

If the owner has the slightest idea that there is a discrepancy, they just check that box....simple as that.

Florida also asks on the title to declare if it is a 5 or 6 digit odometer. This comes back to exceeding mechanical limits. Any car with a 5 digit over 10 years old no longer matters. You have to beg them not to force it into this category in the case of real original cars.

Please consider this.

What if I change the rear gear in my car or tire size...knowing it will cause the odometer to read slow. Do I have to rush right down to the tag agency and ask for permission.............Maybe some of you would, I would simply tell the future owner..this odometer is not accurate because I changed tire/gear size. Anybody looking at Dave's car in the future with a new rear diff, wheel bearings, suspension, frame, body frame, engine, etc. will not expect or care what the odometer says! At least it makes it easier in the future to say. "this car has 70,XXXX miles on it when I tore it down, and now has 3,317 miles since the rebuild. How do I know?, I rolled the odometer to zero when we finished the rebuild, and can now accuratly track the fresh miles"

There really is no difference between physically altering the odometer, or changing something in the car that will alter the reading. Based upon the pure statute either would be a violation if the owner was attempting to "trick"/defraud a future owner.

Customs people....not NCRS.....


Okay, just my .02