Defer Speedo Too Hi

[Mykeeta]

G'day,
At first I thought is was just my imagination that every one drives faster than me. But Noooooo yet another Landie (the 99Defer) Speedo reads at least five Klms high, according to the GPS. My wife’s Disco does the same but I thought it was the smaller tyres, but no the Defer does the same and it has larger than normal tyres.

Is there a simple explanation for this problem? Without changing tyres.

Regards

Mykeeta

99 Defer
97 Disco
88 Rangie
Ex 2D Rangie
Ex County V8
Ex S3 hard top
Ex S2A hard top
Ex S2 SWB

[DeeJay]

The last 3 LR's - Rangie & Disco I've had did this. Never knew it till GPS :o

[jik22]

Don't know about here, but in the UK speedos are allowed a margin of error to read high, but mustn't read low. Hence, most manufacturers read slightly high. Noticed it on pretty much every car I've had a GPS in....though the D3 is notably more accurate than the Defender, which reads 5k over same as yours!

[dullbird]

but how accurate is a gps for speed could it not be possible that the gps is reading slightly high

[chunk]

My 95 Disco reads the same 5K's faster than I'm actually going. All speedos vary to some degree, then you have smaller tyres, bigger wheels and under inflated tyres all these will affect you speedo reading as well. if it's running 5Ks under don't worry about it as that 5 Ks could save you you a big fine.

[solmanic]

Yep, I've always suspected my Defender was 5-7kph high. It's not enough that they are just plain slow, but the manufacturer seems compelled to rub it in.

[kaa45]

but how accurate is a gps for speed could it not be possible that the gps is reading slightly high

NO, the GPS will be so accurate you can argue against radar fines! :angel: :wasntme:

[97discotdi]

If it really annoys you Jaycar have a speedo corrector kit that is fairly straight forward to build,if you can use a soldering iron, cost approx $50. I changed the tyres on my series 1 Disco to 215x85 and the speedo is spot on, Problem is now I don't get as good fuel consumption, instead of getting 850k's to a tank now I get 800k's jees I think I'm Irish.:D

[Frenchie]

I fixed mine by going to 255/85 tyres. :cool:

It's now spot on. Trouble is everyone else drives more slowly now. :eek:

[Dave110]

98 Defender running 235/85's speedo 10 km out at all speeds according to the GPS and 20km by the rest of the traffic!

[haggisbasher]

mine is 10ks slow...... on the standard tyres...

bugger the flyers....this is such a big country it is nice to be able to take it in a bit more!

:)

[scrambler]

As said above, all speedos are allowed a margin of error and the manufacturers set them normally about 3-4% higher than road speed.

I could be wrong here, but from memory the current rules are road speed must equal indicated speed minus 3km/hr +/- 5%. It used to be road speed +/- 10% but they reckon speedos are more accurate now.

My Stage 1 read 20% out (said 120km/hr at 100 by the GPS). I swapped the speedo for a NOS one, and it now reads precisely correct. In older ones the magnets wear out and need to be re-magnetised. In electronic ones, there are adjustments (as mentioned) that you can add to correct.

I had an old motorbike that read 10km/hr low at all speeds. I guess it would have met the standards provided I was travelling fast enough :twisted:

[numpty]

Have this problem with the S1 (Leon) as well. Although it's worse. At indicated 55Mph it is actually doing 70Kph:o

[incisor]

bloody amazing things the S1...

built purely imperial and they know to belt along in metric!

gotta love em :P

[100I]

.. It used to be road speed +/- 10% but they reckon speedos are more accurate now.

Another contentious policing issue as far I am concerned, I don't think the ADRs have changed

[Landy110]

According to those courtesy speed check signs they put a roadworks mine is travelling 5k's slower than indicated as well. I don't care, looking at traffic I think all cars must be similar because I always seem to keep up when I'm showing 100k's

[Utemad]

The speedo in my 1994 Disco indicates 100km/h with an actual of 95km/h with 225/75 16 tyres. With 255/70 16 it read 100km/h at 100km/h.

I had the Jaycar speedo corrector on my last car (Rodeo) and it worked well. I also put a switch in so I could go from my 31in tyres to my 225/75 16 tyres.
I have noticed there is a new version of the kit available. I don't know what they changed.

[Utemad]

Speedo reads at least five Klms high, according to the GPS. My wife’s Disco does the same but I thought it was the smaller tyres, but no the Defer does the same and it has larger than normal tyres.

The difference in the tyre size between the Disco and Defender won't change anything. The speedos will be calibrated to suit. Assuming you have standard tyre sizes on both.

[JamesH]

I can live with my 5-6% speedo error but the odometer error is annoying. Still, it makes me think I get around 10.5 litres to 100km rather than the actual 11 I'm getting.

It has done 9000 less kms than the odometer says but of course try convincing a buyer of that! I guess I'll have to keep it.

[Frenchie]

I can live with my 5-6% speedo error but the odometer error is annoying. Still, it makes me think I get around 10.5 litres to 100km rather than the actual 11 I'm getting.

It has done 9000 less kms than the odometer says but of course try convincing a buyer of that! I guess I'll have to keep it.

Yeah, mine has done about 17,000km less than indicated! :mad:

At least it makes you service them more often. ;)

[Mykeeta]

G’day,
So I’m not the only one. Yes it’s annoying which increases maintenance costs (unless you can calculate the actual distance traveled) and intern decreases the value of the vehicle etc, etc. (arr that’s why 70% of Land Rovers are still going – see maintenance is not over rated)
Or;
Decreases the likelihood of a speeding fine, however increases the likelihood of being “cut off or over taken”.
I’ll be going to Jaycar tomorrow and asking for the kit mentioned.

Thank you

Regards

Mykeeta
———————————————
99 Defer
97 Disco
88 Rangie
Ex 2D Rangie
Ex County V8
Ex S3 hard top
Ex S2A hard top
Ex S2 SWB

[Sandtoyz]

My Defender was always 5km/hr faster than the gps speed, that was with 265/75R16 tyres.
Now I've got 255/85R16 tyres fitted, the speedo is spot on with the gps speed.

So now I should get slightly better fuel economy, cause i'm not revving the motor quite as much!
- plus I'm keeping up with all the traffic easier :)