Speedometer Error
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 37
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Speedometer Error
Checked my 2008 A4 speedometer with GPS since it seemed off and sure enough it is about 10%. I went to the dealer to get the speedometer recalibrated under warranty and was told that Audi builds in a 10% safety margin into its speedometers to protect their customers from themselves. Apparently we can’t be trusted with obeying the speed limits. They use to trust us. I checked my old B5 S4 and its spot on.
Is this for real? Does anybody know if the speedometer can be fixed?
Is this for real? Does anybody know if the speedometer can be fixed?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 404
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
True - if the speedometer was calibrated exactly at 100% and then someone disputed a traffic ticket, for example, based on the calibration accuracy, the auto manufacturer could theoretically find themselves liable as they were providing a false reading. By being ultra-conservative and calibrating the speed reading high by the 10% or whatever it is, they pretty well guarantee that, even with manufacturing variance, the speedo reading will always be higher than actual and thus all responsibility for execeeding the speed limit is firmly placed back with the driver.
If you as the driver want to make a mental adjustment of reading vs actual that's your prerogative but you can't then claim speedo inaccuracy as the cause of you speeding. If you don't then just read the guage and follow it as closely as you wish and "always" be on the safe side.
I think you will find the actual odometer reading is pretty close to correct. It's only the speed reading that is calibrated higher than actual.
YMMV.
If you as the driver want to make a mental adjustment of reading vs actual that's your prerogative but you can't then claim speedo inaccuracy as the cause of you speeding. If you don't then just read the guage and follow it as closely as you wish and "always" be on the safe side.
I think you will find the actual odometer reading is pretty close to correct. It's only the speed reading that is calibrated higher than actual.
YMMV.
Last edited by A4Audi4Fun; Mar 7, 2011 at 08:39 PM.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 137
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From: Colorado, USA
Funny how the average sheeple will believe the load about safety to consumers by 'lying to them for their own good' when the reality of it is that fuel economy ratings are affected when the tests are done using the vehicles indicated speed. Slightly lower cruise speed means higher mpg for window sticker and commercials.
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