Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:14 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

So I finally noticed that I always seem to be driving a tad slower than everyone else, even when I am going what should be a little higher than the actual speed limit. I got my phone out, which has a speedometer app and is very accurate, and found that I seem to be going 5mph slower than what my actual speedometer reads. To test it out I had a friend drive behind me while we were talking on the phone and found that when I was supposedly going 55 his speedometer was reading 60, but we were distanced at the same speed over 10 miles traveled. Same thing happened when we tried the same test going 35. His read 35, mine read 30.

So, my speedometer is 5mph off low. WHY?
__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:20 PM
SalRanger2 SalRanger2 is offline
LOWERED!
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,863
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

might be if your tires are a little oversized than what it originally came with
__________________
'99 Ranger XLT Reg. Cab Stepside
2.5L
2WD
5spd
K&N Filter
Air Box Mod
Explorer OHC
2/3 Drop

Join!! FRF no-lifers Clan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:21 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SalRanger2 View Post
might be if your tires are a little oversized than what it originally came with
They are, but someone told me that shouldn't make a difference. Is there a way to get the speedometer to read the REAL speed if the tires are putting it off?
__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:22 PM
01_ranger_4x4 01_ranger_4x4 is offline
OIF Veteran

 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,044
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SalRanger2 View Post
might be if your tires are a little oversized than what it originally came with
X2 that would be my guess as well.
__________________
2001 Ranger 4x4 Stepside
-RCD Suspension lift
-33x12.5 BFG KM2's on Mickey Thomson classic locks
-4:56 gears
-Auburn gear LS
-James Duff traction bars
-Headers
-Flowmaster duals
-SCT X-Cal2 and some small exterior mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2321189

2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4
-LED third brake light
-Weathertech floor liners
-Edge tuner
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:23 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Does that mean when I put the lift and bigger tires on that it will be off by even more then? How do you fix it or do you just have to live with it and remember that it's off?
__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:25 PM
SalRanger2 SalRanger2 is offline
LOWERED!
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,863
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kindy View Post
They are, but someone told me that shouldn't make a difference. Is there a way to get the speedometer to read the REAL speed if the tires are putting it off?
i think there is but i dont know much about it, somebody else will probly chime in.
__________________
'99 Ranger XLT Reg. Cab Stepside
2.5L
2WD
5spd
K&N Filter
Air Box Mod
Explorer OHC
2/3 Drop

Join!! FRF no-lifers Clan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:27 PM
01_ranger_4x4 01_ranger_4x4 is offline
OIF Veteran

 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,044
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kindy View Post
Does that mean when I put the lift and bigger tires on that it will be off by even more then? How do you fix it or do you just have to live with it and remember that it's off?
superlift makes a module that will correct the speedo after going to larger tires. i remember it being kind of pricey. a tuner will also give you the option to calibrate your speedo as well.
__________________
2001 Ranger 4x4 Stepside
-RCD Suspension lift
-33x12.5 BFG KM2's on Mickey Thomson classic locks
-4:56 gears
-Auburn gear LS
-James Duff traction bars
-Headers
-Flowmaster duals
-SCT X-Cal2 and some small exterior mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2321189

2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4
-LED third brake light
-Weathertech floor liners
-Edge tuner
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:28 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 01_ranger_4x4 View Post
superlift makes a module that will correct the speedo after going to larger tires. i remember it being kind of pricey. a tuner will also give you the option to calibrate your speedo as well.
A tuner?
__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:40 PM
STL STL is offline
...............

 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kindy View Post
A tuner?
Plugs into the OBDII port under the dash. You can tune the engine for more performance and change shift points and all kinds of things

----------

What is OBDII port?
Click to View Search Results for OBDII Definition CLICK OBDII Definition CLICK

Examples of tuners
http://www.autoanything.com/Accessor...max+rel+static
__________________
2005 Edge

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:48 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

Thanks!
__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-19-2011, 06:49 PM
pooleo pooleo is offline
Ban Survivor. (x2)
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,764
Default Re: Why is my speedometer off by 5mph?

you can take the needle off and reset it at desired speed. Altho this method will work the speedo will still be off. Say if you set it at 70 when you get to 90 it will off. Same as slower speeds like if it says 35 you might be going 33-34. It will be off just a fuzz. I noticed this on my 97 with the 33's. Its real close up to 35. 35-75 is dead on, 75+ it reads fast.
__________________
1999 | Ext. Cab | 4.0 | 4x4 | 4.10's
Quote:
A Gladiator does not fear death. He embraces it. Caresses it. Fucks it. Each time he enters the arena, he slips his c0ck in the mouth of the beast, and prays to thrust home before the jaws snap shut. - Oenomaus
Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
speedometer not working right cheeba Electrical Tech 6 10-27-2010 06:12 PM
Is my speedometer still off...? BlackMoses Wheels and Tires 4 10-05-2010 03:43 PM
Speedometer Problem Ruff Electrical Tech 0 03-11-2010 08:41 AM
speedometer HELP camoman Electrical Tech 3 11-25-2009 05:58 AM
Speedometer is off, at best Momboy007 General Tech 3 11-15-2009 12:10 AM