Can someone please answer this. Its a odometer question. - Page 2

targettuning · 09-10-2007, 04:16 PM

It is apparent that many do not understand GPS systems such as Garmin, Tom-Tom etc. and its accuracy. In short GPS does not calculate distance in straight lines but uses the route you are on. Your Garmin is a moving receiver and as such is always being updated as your car moves so it is always accurate. Further, accuracy with WAAS enabled (wide area augmentation system) is within 3 meters I believe. That means that the location indicated on your GPS (YOU ARE HERE) is within about 9 feet or less from where you actually are. GPS locations are much more accurate over any distance than either your odometer or roadside mile markers.
This whole discussion is about common speedometer/odometer discrepancies found in not only Honda vehicles but all vehicles by all manufacturers. It should be no surprise that since these components (speedometer/odometers) are mass produced they will not be:
1.) 100% accurate on each and every car.
2.) 100% equal in the amount of inaccuracy from one car to the next. That means all 2006 or 07 Civics are not 2% fast (or slow) but vary from car to car as well. Manufacturers of these devices like to keep within an overall tolerance...maybe +/- 5%.
3.) Inaccuracy is normal within a small amount but occasionally a larger amount happens and in those cases the speedometer may be swapped out under warranty.
4.) for those who asked if something can be done about nominal speedometer/odometer inaccuracy the answer is no. If it falls within that overall +/- acceptable range it is considered normal.

Mateen · 09-10-2007, 04:53 PM

Apparently +/- 5% is not considered an acceptable range. That is why Honda is facing a Lawsuit.

gary79 · 09-11-2007, 12:21 AM

you didn't slap on a set of different tires with a different diameter than the stock tires did you?? that will throw an odometer off.

targettuning · 09-11-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mateen

Apparently +/- 5% is not considered an acceptable range. That is why Honda is facing a Lawsuit.

As you will note I said "maybe +/- 5%" clearly I do not know the actual specification Honda desired when they sub contracted the supplier for this item. In my opinion the so-called "lawsuit" is another lawer fueled project designed to cause hysteria among owners. Do I give a damn about my odometer being a few percent off...nope. Will my warranty expire 100 miles sooner? maybe if it is reading fast but what if it is slow? Then I have a few miles of "extra" warranty. It is just another way for law firms to generate large "paydays" as auto manufacturers pay-off to make these nuisance lawsuits go away. The actual consumer represented in these class action suits get very little.

06CivEXJon · 09-11-2007, 02:26 PM

My EX seems like it has a fast odometer too..hmm WTF? does this affect all 8th gens?

targettuning · 09-12-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06CivEXJon

My EX seems like it has a fast odometer too..hmm WTF? does this affect all 8th gens?

Since apparently no one reads the answers posted I will repeat...speedometer and odometer errors are normal for all makes and models. The manufactures like to keep the error at a minimum by specifying low error tolerances to the suppliers of the instrument but since these are mass-produced products nobody should expect theirs to be 100% dead on. Further, although error can be minimal within a certain speed RANGE e.g. from 0-60 mph it can then START to become more "off" from 60-120 mph gradually becoming more "off" as speed increases. This is simply an example and does not mean this is what you will actually experience.

Mateen · 09-12-2007, 07:35 PM

Just did a test with a 92 Lexus. Went on a straight line stretch of 1.4 miles and then did it with my r18 and both showed the exact same 1.4 miles. Not even a foot difference.

tbone · 09-13-2007, 02:07 PM

If you changed your tire size and didn't get the computer updated your speedometer and odometer will be off. The reading could be off quite a bit moving from 15" to 17" tires.
On my bro's car he wanted to go from 16" to 17" tires and the tire shop said the speedometer was going to be off around 3 to 5 km/h. Some one may want to some math and double check that number tho.

09-10-2007, 04:16 PM	#21 (permalink)
targettuning Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: south central Pa Posts: 161 iTrader: 0 / 0%	GPS...odometer discrepancies and more It is apparent that many do not understand GPS systems such as Garmin, Tom-Tom etc. and its accuracy. In short GPS does not calculate distance in straight lines but uses the route you are on. Your Garmin is a moving receiver and as such is always being updated as your car moves so it is always accurate. Further, accuracy with WAAS enabled (wide area augmentation system) is within 3 meters I believe. That means that the location indicated on your GPS (YOU ARE HERE) is within about 9 feet or less from where you actually are. GPS locations are much more accurate over any distance than either your odometer or roadside mile markers. This whole discussion is about common speedometer/odometer discrepancies found in not only Honda vehicles but all vehicles by all manufacturers. It should be no surprise that since these components (speedometer/odometers) are mass produced they will not be: 1.) 100% accurate on each and every car. 2.) 100% equal in the amount of inaccuracy from one car to the next. That means all 2006 or 07 Civics are not 2% fast (or slow) but vary from car to car as well. Manufacturers of these devices like to keep within an overall tolerance...maybe +/- 5%. 3.) Inaccuracy is normal within a small amount but occasionally a larger amount happens and in those cases the speedometer may be swapped out under warranty. 4.) for those who asked if something can be done about nominal speedometer/odometer inaccuracy the answer is no. If it falls within that overall +/- acceptable range it is considered normal. Last edited by targettuning; 09-10-2007 at 04:23 PM.

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09-10-2007, 04:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
Mateen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. CA Age: 51 Posts: 394 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Apparently +/- 5% is not considered an acceptable range. That is why Honda is facing a Lawsuit.

09-11-2007, 12:21 AM	#23 (permalink)
gary79 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: quincy, illinois Posts: 185 iTrader: 0 / 0%	you didn't slap on a set of different tires with a different diameter than the stock tires did you?? that will throw an odometer off.

09-11-2007, 02:26 PM	#25 (permalink)
06CivEXJon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monument/Colorado Springs Colorado Posts: 4,600 Jon iTrader: 0 / 0%	My EX seems like it has a fast odometer too..hmm WTF? does this affect all 8th gens?

09-12-2007, 07:35 PM	#27 (permalink)
Mateen Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. CA Age: 51 Posts: 394 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Just did a test with a 92 Lexus. Went on a straight line stretch of 1.4 miles and then did it with my r18 and both showed the exact same 1.4 miles. Not even a foot difference.

09-13-2007, 02:07 PM	#28 (permalink)
tbone Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 121 iTrader: 0 / 0%	If you changed your tire size and didn't get the computer updated your speedometer and odometer will be off. The reading could be off quite a bit moving from 15" to 17" tires. On my bro's car he wanted to go from 16" to 17" tires and the tire shop said the speedometer was going to be off around 3 to 5 km/h. Some one may want to some math and double check that number tho.