GPS vs Speedo
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
GPS vs Speedo
Got a Nuvi 1300 for Christmas and have noticed my speedo is about 2-3 mph higher than my Garmin.
Which do I believe? Why would this be?
I have a 99 Ls.
Also. looking to get a vent mount. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
cat
Which do I believe? Why would this be?
I have a 99 Ls.
Also. looking to get a vent mount. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
cat
#3
Pole Position
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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By car manufacturing law speedo in every cluster of all cars (Lexus, Merc, BMW....you name it) must show higher value than actual...
I never knew this until a friend that works in Mercedes-Benz in Germany told me this...
I never knew this until a friend that works in Mercedes-Benz in Germany told me this...
#5
In my experience most cars shows some 5% more than the actual speed. I don't think it's a "law" but for sure it's common practice and any manufacturer would have big problems if anyone could claim that their speedos were calibrated to show too little.
I'm currently a truck driver and most trucks here in Sweden have calibrated speedos, i.e. they show how fast I actually travel (also compared with a GPS). I've noticed that I very often "get stuck" behind someone who believes they are driving at e.g. "exactly" 70 km/h, while they are doing 65-67. Also here in Sweden we have warning signs saying that there are speed trap cameras further down the road, which can be a terror when wanting to maintain a constant speed. Many drivers do slow down some extra 10-15 km/h whenever they see the camera (or even well below 70 on a 90km road, just to make sure), causing everyone behind to have to slow down too. The worst scenario is when coming up behind one of these drivers with a fully loaded truck and trailer hoping to maintain most possible speed for that long uphill in front of me and the "sucker" breaks just at the start of the hill. No problem if in my Lexus, but big problem in my truck as I know that I will have to go through almost every gear in the gearbox to make it to the top. The driver in front of me is by then long gone (at least until the next big hill...) and I've run out of fingers to show him.
//Björn
I'm currently a truck driver and most trucks here in Sweden have calibrated speedos, i.e. they show how fast I actually travel (also compared with a GPS). I've noticed that I very often "get stuck" behind someone who believes they are driving at e.g. "exactly" 70 km/h, while they are doing 65-67. Also here in Sweden we have warning signs saying that there are speed trap cameras further down the road, which can be a terror when wanting to maintain a constant speed. Many drivers do slow down some extra 10-15 km/h whenever they see the camera (or even well below 70 on a 90km road, just to make sure), causing everyone behind to have to slow down too. The worst scenario is when coming up behind one of these drivers with a fully loaded truck and trailer hoping to maintain most possible speed for that long uphill in front of me and the "sucker" breaks just at the start of the hill. No problem if in my Lexus, but big problem in my truck as I know that I will have to go through almost every gear in the gearbox to make it to the top. The driver in front of me is by then long gone (at least until the next big hill...) and I've run out of fingers to show him.
//Björn
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: AZ
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I was going through a construction zone last week and a radar system was set up displaying my speed. I noticed a 4 mph difference! It doesn't matter to me though because this car is so nice to drive I've slowed down just to enjoy it more.
#7
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Well this is what the guy from Merc tells me , if he lies - I lie, therefore I'm sorry
I tested quite a few cars with my GPS (I own 3 cars, and it's all the same), they all showed faster speed than actual...
I tested quite a few cars with my GPS (I own 3 cars, and it's all the same), they all showed faster speed than actual...
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#9
Lead Lap
I'm not a fan of vent mounts. This thread has information on how I mounted a portable GPS in my 00 LS: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...tion-help.html
#10
my 96 actually reads ~2% low compared to the GPS - i would rather have it the other way, so i am careful
remember that a GPS shows velocity, while the speedo shows speed, so make sure you're on a flat road when comparing
mark
remember that a GPS shows velocity, while the speedo shows speed, so make sure you're on a flat road when comparing
mark
#11
^^^1, that's my reasoning for driving my SC430 so slow
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