Speedo full of surprises

[Micheal]

Isn't it kinda silly to have a Corolla with speedo that goes to 240 kph?  Or even a sports cars that
have speedos going to 280 + kph.  What for?  A speedo showing more than 140 kph is a waste of space and makes it harder for the driver to see the exact speed he/she is going, because the numbers are bunched up more.  Plus it can create stess and anxiety, especially in a sports car, because you can see how much faster you could go, but you really can't (unless you like chatting with the police).  I have a suggestion:  no speedo should go more than 140 kph.  Even in a Lamborghini.  Imagine how deliciously surpriseful your drive on Autobahn or a racing track would be: you could play guessing games as to how fast you're going, and how much faster you can go; you could take bets (and make some money to pay for gas).  Imagine how wider and wider your smile would get blasting down the highway not knowing your true speed, but feeling the excitement of adrenaline.  The automakers have the marketing wrong.  What do you think?

[Leviathan]

What do you think?

With a subject like that I think Saf will be along in 3. 2. 1...

[Railton]

Bracing for impact!
Railton

[HeliDriver]

Wasn't there a law back in the '80s that made all U.S. cars come with 80 mph speedometers? Silly idea, IMO, and even the government must have agreed, because the law is no more.

Having said that, I agree that it makes sense for a speedo to somewhat match the car's top speed. Does a Corolla speedo really go to 240 km/h?

[quadzilla]

Really dumb idea. Mine goes up to 300kph and I have never had any issues reading it, nor my friends. If you are unable to read what speed you are going, maybe its time to pack it in and take the bus.

[mrthompson]

 

[tpl]

US cars did indeed have 85 mph speedos in the '80s.    

if one is going to be all anal about speedo numbers then I'd pick the speed rating of the oem tires + 10 mph/kph as the magic number. So the GTI would be 140 mph which is 220 kph or near enough.    Ovr's M3 would be a 300 km/h speedo I guess

[tenpenny]

Mid to late 70s, I remember cars all had 85 mph speedometers, it made NO difference to people's driving.

It's a well-known concept in industrial instrumentation that you want a gauge to read 'normal' at approx the 12:00 position; so if your normal operating pressure is 150 psi, you use a 300 psi gauge, so the normal reading is in the up direction.  That way, you learn to notice where the needle is, and if it's out of place, it catches your attention.

Similar concept with car's speedometers - they are typically designed so that 'normal' highway speed, say 120 km/h, it pretty near the 12:00 position, therefore they often go up to 240km/h.  On the highway, you develop the ability to be aware of where the speedometer needle is, without having to think about it.  This is why digital speedometers never caught on:  you don't care if you're going 118 or 119, you care that you're going approx 120km/h.

[blur911]

US cars did indeed have 85 mph speedos in the '80s.    

It also included Canadian cars.

[mrthompson]

My buddy's parents had a late 80s Pontiac 6000 with the four banger.  IIRC, the speedo topped out at 140 km/hr (~85 mph).

[vdk]

Mid to late 70s, I remember cars all had 85 mph speedometers, it made NO difference to people's driving.

It's a well-known concept in industrial instrumentation that you want a gauge to read 'normal' at approx the 12:00 position; so if your normal operating pressure is 150 psi, you use a 300 psi gauge, so the normal reading is in the up direction.  That way, you learn to notice where the needle is, and if it's out of place, it catches your attention.

Similar concept with car's speedometers - they are typically designed so that 'normal' highway speed, say 120 km/h, it pretty near the 12:00 position, therefore they often go up to 240km/h.  On the highway, you develop the ability to be aware of where the speedometer needle is, without having to think about it.  This is why digital speedometers never caught on:  you don't care if you're going 118 or 119, you care that you're going approx 120km/h.

Interesting. The Rabbit's speedo has 130 at the 12 o'clock position, it happens that 130 is the normal speed limit (and recommended speed limit) on the Autobahn.

[safristi]

..OY...."Leviathan" is that a titchometer in yer  Jeans ..or    are ya just happy GIL(MORE)LESS................



 always Put the "needle" where it does the most GOOD...............needle noodle know.........


      100MPH (not yer sissi 100KPH) & 6,000RPM's at 12 HIGH NOON...straight UP bartender ...and keep 'em 'cumin .................

[ovr50]

Unlike the OP, I have no problem with the way present day speedos are configured. I think a speedo going to 140 max would not be useful. 

Mine shows 330 max, with the 120-150 space right at the top, 12 o'clock position. Just fine with me. I can also view my exact speed with a small digital jprint-out centre ice of my directly forward gauge cluster, this setting is adjustable via a switch on the end of the turn indicator lever. I seldom use that particular setting, and just glance at the regular speedo.

[TopGun]

I think you bought the right car Michael.

[ovr50]

I think you bought the right car Michael.

+1. Beige would be good, as well.

[mmret]

I think you bought the right car Michael.

Micheal. But then again this guy just has to be different....

[Careener]

[wing]

Speedo is a distraction on the track, I constantly try to hit 200km/h down the backstraight but I end up braking very late sometimes

[Giant Dwarf]

Mine shows 330 max, with the 120-150 space right at the top, 12 o'clock position. Just fine with me. I can also view my exact speed with a small digital jprint-out centre ice of my directly forward gauge cluster, this setting is adjustable via a switch on the end of the turn indicator lever. I seldom use that particular setting, and just glance at the regular speedo.

I'm a little confused by your message, Ovr.  Is this part of the HUD (the M6 has this, didn't know the M3 did too)... or is it in the same digital information window between speedo and tach (that also shows the trip meter details)?  If the latter, is this a feature for all e90s or just M-cars? 

***

Saffy, that speedo image made me laugh out loud (I know, I know, I'm not supposed to encourage him nor feed the wildlife here).

[ovr50]

GD - sorry for my confusing post. No, not HUD, which is not available on M3s AFAIK. At least not in Canada.

Yes, is the smaller digital info window between the speedo and the tach. I don't rightly know if it is on 3 Series or not, or just the M3. Maybe it's tied to the new iDrive which I did not have on my previous MY08 5 Series, but have on the MY 09 M3. I suspect it's that, tied to the new iDrive.