My '85 speedo was dead accurate and my '84 was slightly low until I put on
taller 195R14 tires.  Now it reads 4 mph over at 80.

I think this whole speedo thing is a list conspiracy, like the moon landing
and stuff.  :-)

On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 4:30 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Actually, the speedo has to read faster than actual if it can read more
> than
> 85 mph. That was dropped in later years. The allowed odometer error is 1%
> under to 4%over.  VW seems to like using that over limit. Gives fake MPG
> and
> gets it out of warranty faster. Hondas also like the high speed indicator.
> A
> 185/14 tire needs about 825 revs per mile. Note the speedo says 805.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>  From: Todd Last <rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET>
>> Reply-To: rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Tire Question (not the dreaded tire thread at all)
>> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:42:10 +0000
>>
>>
>> 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
>>
>