does my car go faster then the speedometer?

Question

i have a 1983 Dodge MiniRam 150 van. It says it only goes 85, I don't know how to independently check its speed, but with a sept , 1982 law in reguards to speedometers it must say 85. But do any of you know if it would go past that and how many mph its likely to go? Anyone dealt with this model before? I really dont need a slow mobile. Also anything i can do to improve its gas mileage at this point?

Answer 1

Unless the vehicle has a speed governor, it certainly will exceed 85mph. The next time you are on an interstate with no traffic, you can calculate your speed by using the mile markers on the shoulder of the road. As these markers are spaced 1 mile apart, you simply use a stopwatch to time the seconds to travel between the markers. If the time between the markers in one minute (60 seconds) your speed is 60 mph, 45 seconds equals 90 mph, 30 seconds equals 120 , etcetera. By the way, 85 mph should take you 42 seconds to travel one mile.
Hope this helps....

Answer 2

Take a friend with you on a highway
with mile markers in light traffic.
Have your friend friend time a measured
mile while you drive at an indicated 60.
Figure out your speedometer error in
percent. That should give you accurate
speeds.
As to whether it'll do more than 85,
maybe, but not much. A van is pushing
a lot of air with that big square front.

Answer 3

Im pretty sure it will go faster than 85 mph..... all American cars are speed governed at a certain speed..... most sedans and minivans around 105 mph.... sports cars between 115 and 125 mph..... your van should be limited to around 105 mph.

Answer 4

So, let's see. You want to drive fast AND get good gas mileage?

Top speed is probably 105 mph or there abouts.

As far as improving gas mileage there's not much you can do short of keeping you truck in good running condition.

Answer 5

don't believe about that law. I have had many vehicles newer than 82 and never had a speedometer only go to 85...