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Speedo indicating faster than actual speed...

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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mr_chase
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 January 2008
Year and Model:
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Speedo indicating faster than actual speed...

Post by mr_chase »

2001 S60T, ~150K kms:

Since using a GPS, I noticed that the speedometer in the S60 registers faster than the speed indicated on the GPS, or compared to another car claiming the same speed. My concern is that this would also accrue more than actual mileage on the odometer.

Tire size was correct: 205R55 for this past winter, but I did run a larger size tire last summer. I am now running a 215R55...

Can the speedo be reset? What might be done, beyond running the specified tire size?

Thanks! :mrgreen:
1998 V70R AWD, 124K, Black - K&N

1995 850T, 136K, Black

MadeInJapan
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Year and Model: '98 S70 T5 '07S40T5
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Post by MadeInJapan »

Ask your dealer. The car might have somehow adjusted to the larger tire. A larger tire will show faster speed on a GPS, not the other way around.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

JRL
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Post by JRL »

MadeInJapan wrote:Ask your dealer. The car might have somehow adjusted to the larger tire. A larger tire will show faster speed on a GPS, not the other way around.
Actually it's usually the other way around. A smaller tires turns faster, speedo will be higher/faster, a taller tire has the opposite effect
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP

2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.

MadeInJapan
MVS Moderator
Posts: 13434
Joined: 31 March 2005
Year and Model: '98 S70 T5 '07S40T5
Location: Knoxville, TN American but born in Japan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

JRL wrote:
MadeInJapan wrote:Ask your dealer. The car might have somehow adjusted to the larger tire. A larger tire will show faster speed on a GPS, not the other way around.
Actually it's usually the other way around. A smaller tires turns faster, speedo will be higher/faster, a taller tire has the opposite effect
Ok, let's think logically about this...smaller tire shows faster speed because it's turning faster but in actuality, you're not actually traveling as fast...thus if you check with a GPS, you've gone less miles. The opposite applies with a larger tire. I remember going from 205/50/16 tires on our 850 to 205/55/16's (due to the wheel recall) and had to watch my speed because I was ACTUALLY going about 2 miles faster than what my odometer showed at 60mph.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

mr_chase
Posts: 30
Joined: 7 January 2008
Year and Model:
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Post by mr_chase »

The dealer won't even return my calls...

The tires I've used have either been spec or a bit larger.

I will post a reply when I hear back from the dealer.
1998 V70R AWD, 124K, Black - K&N

1995 850T, 136K, Black

JRL
Posts: 9350
Joined: 22 November 2005
Year and Model: Several
Location: 19333
Been thanked: 16 times

Post by JRL »

MadeInJapan wrote:
JRL wrote:
MadeInJapan wrote:Ask your dealer. The car might have somehow adjusted to the larger tire. A larger tire will show faster speed on a GPS, not the other way around.
Actually it's usually the other way around. A smaller tires turns faster, speedo will be higher/faster, a taller tire has the opposite effect
Ok, let's think logically about this...smaller tire shows faster speed because it's turning faster but in actuality, you're not actually traveling as fast...thus if you check with a GPS, you've gone less miles. The opposite applies with a larger tire. I remember going from 205/50/16 tires on our 850 to 205/55/16's (due to the wheel recall) and had to watch my speed because I was ACTUALLY going about 2 miles faster than what my odometer showed at 60mph.
Which is exactly what I said. A smaller tire will show the speedo to be faster than your actual speed and a larger tire will show the speedo slower than your actual speed
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP

2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.

MadeInJapan
MVS Moderator
Posts: 13434
Joined: 31 March 2005
Year and Model: '98 S70 T5 '07S40T5
Location: Knoxville, TN American but born in Japan
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 35 times

Post by MadeInJapan »

Thanks...glad I got it sorted. :oops:
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

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