What is the function of the odometer?

The odometer serves the specific purpose of keeping track of the total miles a vehicle has driven. This device records the distance that the vehicle travels over its lifetime and is an essential tool for monitoring the overall usage of the car. By knowing the total mileage, drivers can better manage maintenance schedules, assess vehicle value, and determine the need for repairs or servicing.

While the other options refer to different instruments that serve distinct functions—like speedometers for measuring speed, fuel economy gauges for tracking fuel efficiency, and temperature gauges for monitoring engine temperature—they do not fulfill the role of recording the cumulative distance traveled by the vehicle. Thus, the odometer's primary function remains focused solely on mileage tracking.