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Welcome Forum The Drag Strip Speedo or GPS system?

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  • #2153
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Which would you drive to? I have discovered that the rumours are true – speedos in cars read about 10% low (my mate Matt had his sorted so it reads true). I drive to the GPS speed, ignoring the speedo. Unless there’s a speed camera, in which case I don’t risk it (my GPS system gives an audio/visual alert when I am approaching a piggybank… Sorry, “safety camera”).

    Only exception is the school I live close to. I drive to the speedo 30mph past that (GPS 27mph) but when there are loads of kids crammed on to the pavement by the road (hometime) I usually go about 20mph. There’s loads of traffic, anyway, it’s no faster to go faster if that makes sense.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • #25271
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Speedometers are usually accurate. They can be thrown
    off by installing tires that are a different size than what
    was originally on the vehicle.

    You can check the accuracy of your speedometer in a few ways.
    Three popular methods are…

    1. Check you speed against the police SCAT trailer.

    2. Check your speed with a measured mile.
    http://www.web-cars.com/math/speedometer.html

    3. Have the speedometer calibrated.

    Also, a speedometer will be more accurate than
    checking with a satellite. The speedometer is
    a direct connection to the ground, measuring the
    speed. (with the exception of the magnet)

    #25272
    Garibaldi
    Keymaster
    Quote:
    Check you speed against the police SCAT trailer.

    By inciting a chase eh? Drogar-Laugh(LBG).gif

    #25273
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    No!!! icon_cheesygrin.gif

    Here is an example of a SCAT trailer…

    My speedometers are accurate according to the trailers
    in my area.

    Police-speed-trailer.jpg

    #25274
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Those are very variable in the UK.

    As for my speedo, it is reading low. Spent five minutes doing 60mph but covered only about 4.5 miles… Spent five minutes doing GPS 60mph and covered exactly five miles.

    #25275
    Garibaldi
    Keymaster

    But Spanky that method takes all the fun out if it! w00t.gif

    #25276
    Anonymous
    Inactive
    Quote:
    But Spanky that method takes all the fun out if it! w00t.gif

    The police in my city are VERY good high speed drivers, and NOBODY
    ever gets away from them!

    They have the standard Ford Crown Vics and they know how to use them! icon_applause.gif

    #25277
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ummm… The police around here have diesel Vauxhall Astras… :(

    Oh, and some bloody huge Mercedes-Benz cars, the AMG ones, for catching the really bad guys. And a few modified Subaru Impreza interceptors. Nice!

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