I've searched the forums, and I can't really find anything that addresses this question.
On my new 2006 XE KC, it feels like the speedometer reads faster than actual vehicle speed. For example, when it says I'm going 70, I'm going with the flow of traffic on a local highway that usually cruises between 55-60. I'm using the 4-cylinder w/ 5-speed tran., and factory tires/wheels.
However, it may just be that I haven't gotten used to just how quick the truck is yet, and the fact that it takes so little effort to get up to speed as compared to my previous truck ('01 Dodge Ram) that I'm fooling myself into thinking that I'm going faster than I really am.
Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, where can I get it checked out (other than getting a cop to radar me)?
I've searched the forums, and I can't really find anything that addresses this question.
On my new 2006 XE KC, it feels like the speedometer reads faster than actual vehicle speed. For example, when it says I'm going 70, I'm going with the flow of traffic on a local highway that usually cruises between 55-60. I'm using the 4-cylinder w/ 5-speed tran., and factory tires/wheels.
However, it may just be that I haven't gotten used to just how quick the truck is yet, and the fact that it takes so little effort to get up to speed as compared to my previous truck ('01 Dodge Ram) that I'm fooling myself into thinking that I'm going faster than I really am.
Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, where can I get it checked out (other than getting a cop to radar me)?
Not sure. Only thought I have is to look for one of the radars the police put out, say around a construction zone. That is my only suggestion. Or get a friend and go out on the freeway and drive side-by-side and see if you are the same. Those are my only 2 ideas. (both free ....unless the radar by the construction zone has a cop behind it!!! ....just make sure you check you speed at the speed limit! )
You can also drive at exactly 60 miles per hour and time the distance between mile markers. It should take exactly 60 seconds to go one mile at 60 mph!
__________________ Paul... :-) 2005 Aztec Red NISMO LE 4X4 KC, Sliding bed Extender, Body Side Molding, Side Steps, GENTEK 50 Autodimming Mirror, License Plate Back-up Sensor, OEM Rubber Floor Mats, eXtang Trifecta Tonneau, OEM Nissan iPod Gateway, OEM Hood Protector, AirAid Intake, PowerAid TBS, and JBA Exhaust! I'm done... :-)Get Cash Rebates on your On-Line Purchases!
I've searched the forums, and I can't really find anything that addresses this question.
On my new 2006 XE KC, it feels like the speedometer reads faster than actual vehicle speed. For example, when it says I'm going 70, I'm going with the flow of traffic on a local highway that usually cruises between 55-60. I'm using the 4-cylinder w/ 5-speed tran., and factory tires/wheels.
However, it may just be that I haven't gotten used to just how quick the truck is yet, and the fact that it takes so little effort to get up to speed as compared to my previous truck ('01 Dodge Ram) that I'm fooling myself into thinking that I'm going faster than I really am.
Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, where can I get it checked out (other than getting a cop to radar me)?
There's probably a local shop or two in your area that can calibrate it for you.
You could try:
a GPS (if available)
setting the cruise at 60 MPH and see if it takes 1 min to travel 1 mile
check your trip meter (with 10ths) against highway mile markers
Just some thoughts.
__________________
Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd My Frontier Page
This reminds me of a girl at work who had the same problem with a '93 Sentra.
It turned out that the speedometer was calibrated for the Canadian market, so the reading was faster than the speed she was driving and of course the odo was spinning out kilometers, but the gauge face was for the American market. They put in a new speedometer head and that fixed it.
OEM Speedometers normally err on the cautious side by around 2-3 mph at 65 mph. That helps with your defence against speeding tickets unless you are running larger than normal diameter tires. OEM Speedometers are also known for decreased accuracy with speed. In other words, the faster you go the less accurate it is. The only way to get truly accurate speed is to use a crank angle sensor that keys off the flywheel. Thats what the ECM uses to limit RPM, speed, etc. and is much more accurate than the speedo in your dash.
When using my GPS in the car I have noticed this as well. I have NEVER heard of a speedo being off on purpose. My VW, Audi and Porsche's were all dead on with the GPS.
Before you do anything more time-intensive, grab a stopwatch and a passenger and do a few trial runs on the Interstate. 05 NISMO 4x4 is right -- it should take you exactly 60 seconds to go 1 mile at 60 mph.
I suggest doing several trial runs (maybe 2-3 miles each) to get an average of the runs. This will help against any variance in the exact mile marker placement. Also, you can go faster/slower than 60 and adjust for the difference in speed (e.g., it takes 51.43 sec to go 1 mile at 70 mph, etc.).
If you see a significant variation, then take it to the dealer.
__________________ msubullyfan 2005 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Aztec Red NISMO
Before you do anything more time-intensive, grab a stopwatch and a passenger and do a few trial runs on the Interstate. 05 NISMO 4x4 is right -- it should take you exactly 60 seconds to go 1 mile at 60 mph.
I suggest doing several trial runs (maybe 2-3 miles each) to get an average of the runs. This will help against any variance in the exact mile marker placement. Also, you can go faster/slower than 60 and adjust for the difference in speed (e.g., it takes 51.43 sec to go 1 mile at 70 mph, etc.).
If you see a significant variation, then take it to the dealer.
Are mile markers actually 1 mile on the dot? I kind of doubt it. A handheld GPS should be accurate within a tenth of a mile per hour on speed readings.
It turned out that the speedometer was calibrated for the Canadian market, so the reading was faster than the speed she was driving and of course the odo was spinning out kilometers, but the gauge face was for the American market.
Well, its definitely not that bad, but I got the same feeling again tonight. Who knows, maybe everyone IS driving faster, and I'm just paying more attention now since I'm in a new truck.
Also, I think some of it is simply perception. I can barely hear my engine (I actually consider this a good thing), whereas in the dodge you always knew when it was on.
That said, I have to make a road trip to San Antonio this weekend, so I'm going to do the mile marker test. Too bad I returned my handheld GPS because I thought I wasn't getting enough use out of it.
Well, its definitely not that bad, but I got the same feeling again tonight. Who knows, maybe everyone IS driving faster, and I'm just paying more attention now since I'm in a new truck.
Also, I think some of it is simply perception. I can barely hear my engine (I actually consider this a good thing), whereas in the dodge you always knew when it was on.
That said, I have to make a road trip to San Antonio this weekend, so I'm going to do the mile marker test. Too bad I returned my handheld GPS because I thought I wasn't getting enough use out of it.
Again, thanks all for the replies.
I can assure you it is no just perception. I have almost 2k on the clock now and noticed it on day one of owning it. I do alot of hunting and off roading, so I probably have a GPS on 75% of the time when I am driving. It is about 2mph on average I would say, it does not seem to be off the same through the range of the speedo. At some speeds it appears worse than others. i.e. here in AZ most interstates the speed limit is 75mph. I have to have the speed reading nearly 80 to be doing 75.
One thing I can do is this. I have software that allows me to log data from the ECU/ECM real-time. I can read the vehicle speed data and see how it compares to the Speedo and GPS and ECM together. Only issue is it logs in khm and not mph.
My 05. SE is approximately 5% off. I have tested this against Traffic Radars in New Mexico. There is a bit of road where they have 4 radars set up in a row, and every single one of them was 5-6% off.
Its rather nice, has saved my ass on some speeding tickets im sure.
Because i Know about the adjustment, I can go like like 80 (indicated) in a 65 zone and still not get in trouble
__________________
2005 Nissan Frontier
Aztec Red, KC, 2x4, 6-Speed, Roll Up windows, ALLOYS! aFe Stage II Intake, Helper Spring Mod.
15.759s @ 87.36MPH
2005 Nissan Xterra
Canteen Green, SE, 4x4, Auto.
I did extensive testing on my '05 NISMO against my GPS and some Interstate mile markers. At highway speeds my speedometer registers about 3% slower than my actual speed.
-Scope
2006 speedometer calibration check?
....unless the radar by the construction zone has a cop behind it!!! 
....just make sure you check you speed at the speed limit! 
)
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