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Why is my speedometer reading too high?

There are some of those “watch your speed” signs that display your driving speed around my city, but they always read lower than what my speedometer says. Why is my speedometer reading too high?

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Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Inaccurate speedometer readings can make it difficult to know whether you’re actually following the speed limit. Technically, the average speedometer’s reading tends to read a little high.
A speedometer’s speed reading is calculated based on tire rotations, however tire pressure and sizeand fluctuating road conditionscan also impact the reading. As a result, car manufacturers design speedometers to read slightly high to compensate for these factors and to help you avoid accidentally speeding.
Still, if you’re getting speedometer readings that are too high, these could be some culprits:
  • Tires are the wrong size
  • Faulty sensors
  • Computer error
Your local mechanic can run a quick speed sensor test to diagnose potential issues.
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