If you look closely in your Bently manual, it states that it is federal law that all US vehicles speedomers read less than the actual speed - up to a 5% difference is allowed as of 1997.

(of course changing tires will effect how your speedo reads.)
The number at the bottom of your speedometer is how many revolutions per mile your speedometer is calibrated for at the factory.

Todd
'88 Westy

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>

> Yeah my '85 was crazy - read like 7-10 MPH high.
>
> On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 12:11 PM, Dennis Haynes
> wrote:
>
> > Those road side indicators can also be optomistic. Remeber the goal is to
> > slow you down. Borrow a GPS. Check both indicated speed and the odometer.
> > The 83-early 85 Vanagons have speedos that can be outright silly.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> > From: "Jeff Lincoln"
> >> To: "Dennis Haynes"
> >> CC: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> >> Subject: Re: Tire Question (not the dreaded tire thread at all)
> >> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:05:23 -0500
> >>
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Vanagon speedometers can often be optomisitc anyway.
> >>
> >>
> >> True They can be optomistic but I found mine was surprisingly acurate -
> >> based on the Police Speed indicators that are set up on the road sometimes
> >> -
> >> and also some testing with a cooperative vehicle.
> >>
> >> Thanks again for your responses.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Jeff
> >> '90 Carat (Grover)
> >> '86 (We call this one Parts)
> >> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '90 Carat (Grover)
> '86 (We call this one Parts)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus