Incorrect odometer reading on new 75 series tyres
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 10:06
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Kingston
I have recently changed tyres from standard Bridgestone 265-70-16 to BFG 265-75-16 AT and noticed an increase in fuel consumption when calculating the fuel economy on my GU Patrol.
The tyer dealer advised that going from a 70 to 75 series increases the diameter and therefore results in the odometer reading about 10% out .....that is 100 klm travelled on the odometer should really be 110 klm travelled and fuel consumption should be calculated on this figure instead of 100klm.
I have since calculated fuel reading on this basis and found consumption back to normal. Does this sound correct or is the tyer dealer spinning a yarn ?
Kingston
Reply By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 10:13
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 10:13
Its correct. As the speedo and odometer are calibrated for the factory tyre size, increasing or decreasing the rolling diameter from factory standard is going to give an incorrect reading both on the speedo and on the odometer and hence will throw out any fuel consumption calculations. You need to factor in the size increase or decrease. There is a post somewhere on here that gives a URL for an online calculator that tells you the % of change between factory tyre size and what ever you have fitted.
AnswerID:
137270
Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:04
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:04
Kingston
A reliable test is to use GPS on straight stretch of road. Gps is more accurate than your speedo to measure speed but only in a straight line.
Most GPS also have an oddometer display which may help but you would need a long straight stretch of road.
I quess the percentage that your speed is out will be the same percentage as the oddmeter readings.
Others may be able to throw light on more accurate tests.
Alan
AnswerID:
137279
Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:07
Reply By: Sky Pilot - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:12
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:12
Don't know which state you're in but the RTA in NSW has speedo check posts on most major highways where you can measure the accuracy of your odometer agains kilometre signs - usually one each km for 5 km. Also, if you're in a city, most have a set of posts somewhere that used to be used to check the accuracy of taxi meters - I don't know if they still use them though.
AnswerID:
137282
Follow Up By: Sky Pilot - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:15
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 11:15
Should have added, I made the same tyre size change as you have just made and on the RTA km signs, I find that my odometer reads 6% low compared to the real distance. Whether that means my speedo is also 6% low, I wouldn't like to venture as they are usually wildly optimistic in the first place.
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390988
Reply By: warthog - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 12:25
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 12:25
I have a gu patrol running the same size tyres as you and find the speedo is pretty accurate but the odo is around 10% out. Maybe the speedo was a bit optimistic with std tyres.
AnswerID:
137288
Reply By: Member - TonyG (Qld) - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 13:19
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 13:19
Hi
Kingston,
I have a GU also, and had the same issue.
I found out that Nissan install all speedo gear calibrated for the petrol version of the vehicle whicl comes standard with 275/70/R16 tyres (I think).
As I am running a 3.0 diesel version, they came out with smaller tyres as standard 265/70/R16, and as such, the speedo was always out from the start. This was comfirmed by doing a gps speed check.
I understand they did this to improve torque figures on diesel engine vehicles.
With the speedo reading 100km/hr, the gps says I am doing 92km/hr.
When my tyres wore out, I upgraded to 265/75/R16 tyres. This has brought the speedo reading a lot more accurate.
Now when speedo reading is 100km/hr, gps says 98km/hr.
It is something that all diesel owners have to live with.
Thanks
TonyG
AnswerID:
137295
Reply By: Rigor - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 15:20
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 15:20
Just checked my speedo and odo on the weekend with the work GPS and it is absolutely spot on at 100 clicks and the ODO at 10 Kms was 10050 metres on the GPS . I have new standard tyres and I must say I never expected it to be so accurate. First car I ever owned that was.
Cheers Dave L.
AnswerID:
137306
Reply By: BBails - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 16:09
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 16:09
I concur with the others, I have 31 10.5 r15 tyres on my hilux. According to the GPS the speedo is now bang on but the odo reads
well under - sorry not sure exactly the difference. Makes sense that the tow will change in the exact same ratio, so your dealer is right.
Most speedos are calibrated to read a bit under - like about 3%
B
AnswerID:
137309
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 17:34
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 17:34
Tyre dealer was a bit over the top. Therse 2 reasons why fuel consumption has increased
#1 Diameter change of 3% (tyre dealer needs to relearn some maths)
#2 The BFG AT tyres have an increased rolling resistance, and also weigh a bit more.
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
137314