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How accurate are Subaru speedometers?

Subaru speedometers are generally considered to be quite accurate, with most models displaying speeds within 1-2 mph of the actual vehicle speed. This is due to Subaru's commitment to precision engineering and adherence to industry standards for speedometer accuracy.


Understanding Speedometer Accuracy


Speedometers in modern vehicles are designed to provide drivers with an accurate representation of their current speed. This is important for safe driving, as well as compliance with local speed limits. Manufacturers like Subaru must ensure their speedometers meet regulatory requirements for accuracy, which typically mandate that displayed speeds be within a certain percentage of the actual vehicle speed.


Factors Affecting Subaru Speedometer Accuracy


Several factors can influence the accuracy of a Subaru speedometer, including:



  • Tire Size: The size of the tires installed on a Subaru can affect the speedometer reading, as larger or smaller tires will result in a slightly different wheel circumference and thus a different speed calculation.

  • Odometer Calibration: Subaru's odometers are carefully calibrated during the manufacturing process to ensure accurate mileage tracking, which also contributes to speedometer precision.

  • Electronic Sensors: Subaru's vehicles use electronic sensors to measure wheel speed and translate that into the displayed speedometer reading, ensuring a high degree of accuracy.

  • Environmental Conditions: Factors like temperature, altitude, and road conditions can have a minor impact on speedometer accuracy, but Subaru designs their systems to minimize these effects.


Overall, Subaru's commitment to quality and precision engineering results in speedometers that are highly accurate, typically within 1-2 mph of the actual vehicle speed under normal driving conditions.


Verifying Speedometer Accuracy


If you have concerns about the accuracy of your Subaru's speedometer, there are a few ways to verify it:



  • GPS Comparison: Use a GPS-enabled device to compare the displayed speed to the GPS-measured speed, which can provide a more accurate reading.

  • Calibration Check: Consult your Subaru dealer or a qualified mechanic to perform a speedometer calibration check, which can identify any issues with the system.

  • Tire Size Verification: Ensure that the tires installed on your Subaru match the recommended size, as this can impact speedometer accuracy.


By understanding the factors that contribute to Subaru speedometer accuracy and taking steps to verify its performance, you can have confidence in the speed information displayed in your vehicle.

What's the most accurate speedometer?


GPS speed
With a clear view of the sky, GPS speed has shown to be more accurate than most vehicle speedometers.



How accurate is a Subaru speedometer?


The motor industry standard deviation is 10%+4kmh so if you are driving at 100km actual speed your speedo could be reading up to 114km/hr (8.5mph) and it is still acceptable. This is not just Subaru but all manufacturers.



How to check if your speedometer is accurate?


A vehicle's speed and accuracy of the speedometer can be made by measuring the time it takes to travel one mile. The best way to conduct the test is to set cruise at one speed and measure the time it takes to travel between two green mile markers on Interstate or other US/state highway.



Is the speedometer 100% accurate?


Our experience suggests most vehicle speedometers “over-estimate” the actual speed by about 5kph. The least we have found indicates 2kph over actual speed, and the most up to 10kph over, when travelling at 100kph indicated.



Are car digital speedometers accurate?


ADRs require a speedo tolerance of zero per cent under to 10 per cent above the actual speed, so manufacturers typically set it at about five per cent over,” Prof. Regan says. “This means the speedo is likely to read 100 kilometres per hour when, in actual fact, your real speed is 95 kilometres per hour.”



Do car speedometers overestimate speed?


Speedometers are allowed to overstate speed by up to 10 per cent, but never to understate it. Speedos therefore often indicate a higher speed than GPS. At a steady speed on a straight road, sat-nav is likely to be more accurate than the speedo.



How does my Subaru know the speed limit?


Traffic Sign Recognition / Intelligent Speed Limiter
Traffic Sign Assist recognises speed limit and other traffic signs and notifies the driver, while Intelligent Speed Assistance helps adjust vehicle speed to the speed limit.



How off are speedometers?


Have you ever noticed if your car speedometer is reading faster than your actual speed? There is a federal regulation effective in 2005 and found in 49 CFR §393.82 that provides a car's speedometer must be accurate to within a plus or minus 5 mph at a speed of 50 mph.



How far off are car speedometers?


Have you ever noticed if your car speedometer is reading faster than your actual speed? There is a federal regulation effective in 2005 and found in 49 CFR §393.82 that provides a car's speedometer must be accurate to within a plus or minus 5 mph at a speed of 50 mph.



What if my speedometer is off by 10 mph?


If it is off by 10 mph all the time then you can just take the needle off and reset it on "0". If it is cumulative then you can change the gear based on your rear end gears and tire size. This is an informative site to help with what you need.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.