2007-02-11 06:23:22 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Hi there!
That is an easy question to answer.
I repair speedometers for a living.
Most all speedometers have a very standard calibration of 1000 pulses or rotations per mile = 30 mph.
So when the designers plan a car, the speedometer can be calibrated to 30 mph , 60 mph , 90 mph , 120 mph , 150 mph ,etc...Most cars can do at least 90 and maybe up to 120 down a hill (or faster).
That is why most speedometers go up to these speeds.
The speedometer matches the calibration of the car but does not always match the speed rating of the vehicle.
This can work both ways where you have a "130 mph speedo" in a vehicle that can not go that fast. You can have a "85 mph speedo" in a car that go way faster.
Back in the late nineties i used to replace a lot of "mustang 5.0" speedometers that only went up to 85 mph??!! Customers wanted a 140mph speedometer to match the car's speed rating.
It doesn't make sense sometimes and that is the designers fault although the aftermarket sometimes supplies a remedy.
I hope this helped. Good Luck!
2007-02-11 08:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by The Speedo Repairman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a marketing thing... The car that was the first ecologically "friendly" machine was the VW bug. It turned out that the air cooled engine was producing more pollutants than a V8, but it's speedometer only went to 80 mph. Marshall amplifiers used the same marketing ploy and marked all of their volume controls 0 - 11... Many musicians marvelled at the extra volume available!
My Corvette has a maximum spped on the dial of 160 mph, but it certainly can't get there. The high marking enhances the car's perceived power...
2007-02-11 14:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Gordon B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if that was the case the cars would be goverend to 65-70mph...they read that high because that is what the car is capable of doing. I think it is more for if you take your car to the track. My formula is registered to 155mph...
2007-02-11 14:51:03 · answer #3 · answered by firebirdnate@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not that fast on any roads isnt true.. the autobawn not sure is thats spelled right... the one in germany doesnt have any speed limit
2007-02-11 14:29:35 · answer #4 · answered by pokerfaces55 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Already asked and answered here.
See http://www.answercar.com/safety/177-answercar.html
2007-02-11 14:28:04 · answer #5 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a good selling point........for the dealers
2007-02-11 15:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋