Analog speedo

[vwtdi4ever]

Almost all cars in the US come with an intentional speedometer error. They do not want to be responsible for possible speeding tickets or accident injury. So to eliminate problems they build in an error causing the speedometer to read too high.

In most cars (all?) there is a second memory for the real mileage, but it is not normally displayed.

I don't c how they can be held responsible for making it read correctly and then someone gets into an accident or speeds because of it. My 07 wrangler speedo was dead on. I got pulled over for speeding and got a ticket. It wasn't jeeps fault it was mine.

 

[edsiajb]

Does this mean it is something that really can't be fixed? I mean I can live with it if I have to but that's not the point. When you buy a new car I don't know about you but I expect everything to work as intended. I know a lot of people say yeah it's just VW and to just deal with it. Which again I can, but the quality control and testing just seems to be a total after thought.

Our four vehicles are all off (including a fairly new Honda Pilot) from 2 to 3 mph....we have a variety of Garmin Gps units and smartphones which also vary somewhat...apparently they use different algorithyms.

 

[TomB]

Found my manufacturing date it was 2/12. But I still have to fill the fuel tank all the way too the top where it's about to spill out of the hole to get it to read full.

I have noted something. The filler appears to be overflowing when you look at the outside of the filler hole. If you look inside the hole with a flash light you will see there is no fuel behind it.

So is it really overflowing or are you just seeing the amount on the outside edge.

 

[TomB]

Does this mean it is something that really can't be fixed? I mean I can live with it if I have to but that's not the point. When you buy a new car I don't know about you but I expect everything to work as intended. I know a lot of people say yeah it's just VW and to just deal with it. Which again I can, but the quality control and testing just seems to be a total after thought.

There is NO quality issue here. It is by DESIGN. In Germany they have laws with strict penalties that vehicles cannot go faster than the speedometer reads. Drivers cannot claim the speedometer read 40 while speeding. This is their way of dealing with this regulation to protect themselves.

What is the obsession with perfection? You know it is off two so adjust your brain. Drive at 42 to get 40.

 

[TomB]

Our four vehicles are all off (including a fairly new Honda Pilot) from 2 to 3 mph....we have a variety of Garmin Gps units and smartphones which also vary somewhat...apparently they use different algorithyms.

GPS is only accurate to certain degree (18 - 30 feet) and does not take into account if you are traveling up hill or down hill (which impacts the speed calculation between its points), so it is NOT the standard to set your speed by.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

There is NO quality issue here. It is by DESIGN. In Germany they have laws with strict penalties that vehicles cannot go faster than the speedometer reads. Drivers cannot claim the speedometer read 40 while speeding. This is their way of dealing with this regulation to protect themselves.

What is the obsession with perfection? You know it is off two so adjust your brain. Drive at 42 to get 40.

Well Tom I'm not buying that whole speedometer being over to protect from lawsuits thing in Europe but I will do research on it to see if it's true. Although I don't know about you but I'm not in Europe. And as far as your question as to what's my obsession about perfection well to answer that I am a bodybuilder and expect nothing but perfection from myself in everything I do (diet, training, work, u name it and i take pride in that). So yeah it irritates me when people half a$$ things in life including the manufacturer of a "quality German made automobile" that I paid decent money for. If you chose to accept mediocracy that's your call but for me I take issue with it.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

United States

Federal standards in the United States allow a maximum 5 mph error at a speed of 50 mph on speedometer readings for commercial vehicles.[13] Aftermarket modifications, such as different tire and wheel sizes or different differential gearing, can cause speedometer inaccuracy.

Found this on Wikipedia and I'm pretty confident I don't live in Europe and that my passat is not a commercial vehicle so hey VW what's the dealeo?

 

[vwtdi4ever]

I have noted something. The filler appears to be overflowing when you look at the outside of the filler hole. If you look inside the hole with a flash light you will see there is no fuel behind it.

So is it really overflowing or are you just seeing the amount on the outside edge.

I've flashed a light in there and it appears to be all the way to the top.

 

[TomB]

United States

Federal standards in the United States allow a maximum 5 mph error at a speed of 50 mph on speedometer readings for commercial vehicles.[13] Aftermarket modifications, such as different tire and wheel sizes or different differential gearing, can cause speedometer inaccuracy.

Found this on Wikipedia and I'm pretty confident I don't live in Europe and that my passat is not a commercial vehicle so hey VW what's the dealeo?

LOL! They are German engineered vehicles SOLD in the US, not designed for us only. BTW Passats are commercial vehicles in EUROPE as TAXIS.

Mediocre? LOL! What were you driving before? VW's are far superior in quality and design to many vehicles.

Be careful of those growth enhancers they can cause unexplained rage and irritation over such simple things as speedometer readings.

The famous expression on here is "Drive more, worry less."

 

[vwtdi4ever]

So does that mean that American engineered cars can have dead on speedos in Germany or do they adjust them to be off cuz they are in Germany? And I don't ever recall saying I used any performance enhancing aids at all and by insinuating that you are way out of line. I guess by your responses you are probably not into working out and don't take very good care of yourself. And to me that's funny and makes my day. And I also don't recall saying I was worried about anything was just asking other people if they noticed what I did. And as far as VW passat being a premium vehicle maybe you are the one taking drugs. I bought the car because of the fuel economy and the rear seat room but this is a throw away car and In 5 years will be junk. But that's what you get for 25000 dollars. This is no BMW or maybe to you it is.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

Now before anyone thinks I am a VW hater obviously I'm not I've owned 4 of them. But I bought them for what they are which is affordable vehicles with diesel engines. My old VW's have gone many many miles but that was the old VW when they were enthusiasts cars. VW has taken on a new business model here in the good ole USA which is evident in the new jetta, and even though less in the passat still evident. They have really cut costs to move lots of cars (and it's working) but I already know that the car I bought is not an expensive car like the passat of old and I know that no matter what, you get what you pay for. My beloved tdi engine will go on forever but I don't expect the rest of the car to. So yes I buy and drive VW's because they r affordable and I love diesels but I don't consider myself to be a luxury car driver by any sense of the word.

 

[Niner]

Any savings you get from fuel and increased MPG running diesel will be more than offset by increases in repair costs. That has been VW's business model since they started making water cooled engines.

If you got your TDI SE for $25000, then you did really good negotiating your price.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

Yes I got a great price and a great trade in. Could not of been happier. East side VW in Cleveland was a real pleasure to deal with.

 

[Niner]

Yes I got a great price and a great trade in. Could not of been happier. East side VW in Cleveland was a real pleasure to deal with.

$24,900 here, then they also threw in a full set of $135 floor mats. No trade in.

 

[MyAvocation]

So does that mean that American engineered cars can have dead on speedos in Germany or do they adjust them to be off cuz they are in Germany?

No, it means some Europe markets have stricter speedo tolerance laws, so it's no surprise the largest European auto manufacturer designs ALL their products accordingly.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

Sorry I'm gonna disagree. Sounds like VW is being lazy and exercising poor quality control.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

$24,900 here, then they also threw in a full set of $135 floor mats. No trade in.

Yeah mine came with the monster mats and the cargo hold system thrown in. Was real happy

 

[Niner]

Yeah mine came with the monster mats and the cargo hold system thrown in. Was real happy

What was the magic number that really made you sign on the line, pre taxes and pre trade in? Just want to know how much you beat me by in your negotiations.

 

[vwtdi4ever]

I know I beat you out but it's not a fair comparison because I have connections. I'll just tell you it was in the low 24's and leave it at that.