Recalibrate Speedo

[daver27]

My speedometer is 16 - 20% optomistic!
I was wondering why all the traffic spedup as soon as I got in the M100.
How do you recalibrate them?
Thanks - Dave

[Elanlover]

My speedometer is 16 - 20% optomistic!
I was wondering why all the traffic spedup as soon as I got in the M100.
How do you recalibrate them?
Thanks - Dave

Dave, the speedo is notoriously out but that's usually by a few % (5% or so at most). I'm not sure the speedo can be recalibrated (but someone may come along and suggest otherwise). Is it out consistently by the same number of KMPH? In other words, is it always 10 kmh over or under? If so, you may have to remove the needle and re-install it 10kmh faster/slower (as an example).

[daver27]

It's consistant across the range, 60 is 50, 120 is 100 etc.
It started off life as an exotic rental and if it's easy to recalibrate it, they may have made it very optimistic so the clients would be able to brag easier......
-Dave

[Elanlover]

If its consistently off byt the same amount (and if it was a renatl) then I suspect they've simply pulled the speedo needle and placed it in a position where it will always show faster than actual. Of course, your testing device, car, GPS (whatever you're using) may also be off too. The Elan's speedo is known to be optimistic but not by that much.

So, if you're confident that its out the you might need to remove the speedo cluster, then the speedo itself. You'll then be able to remove and reposition the needle. I suggest you click on the "Manuals" link above to gain acess to the various tech guides we have so you can learn how to perform the operation.

[tweetdriver63]

Compared to GPS, mine is spot on up to about 35 mph, then it gets optimistic. By the time the GPS is showing 70, the speedo is up to about 77-78.

[Elanlover]

Dave, have the wheels been changed from stock by any chance? The stock wheels are 16x7 rims with 205/45 wheels. Might want to check those too.

[daver27]

205/45/16 and there's even lots of tread depth.
Everthing is stock.
On my Dodge, you could change the plastic gear driven in the tranny to do a rough recalibration. I don't know if this could be done, or was done.
Now that I hear of lots of very optimistic readings, I'm starting to think it's just the way it is.
I'm going to have to do the GPS comparison. I was timing the car vs kilometer posts on the hwy which are very accurate.
By the way, I get 34 MPG hwy if I boot it, 42.5 hwy driving with the traffic. (imperial gallons)
-Dave