Saw the dealer today about my speedometer error

The mechanic verified the inaccurate speed readings and called Toyota. Toyota told them that my readings, while inaccurate, are technically "within spec" (speedo reads 5 1/2 to 6 % slow according to my GPS).

The district rep was contacted and I was told that Toyota has received numerous similar complaints from owners of regular cab models and that they "acknowledge my complaint", but have no solution yet. Mechanic told me to be patient and give 'em some time so I will. I was hoping we might work out a deal for bigger tires but no dice so far.

 

My GF has a 07 Dbl cab and it is at least 4 MPH slow as well and the dealer said they cannot change it either. So I take it that it is what it is and you cannot calibrate it right? Is that what your dealer said stro1965?

 

They do it so your warranty runs out faster. No, seriously, I believe they are all off to some degree. When I went to 265/75/16's the speedo is nearly right on.

Marc M

 

I believe they consider within 10% as acceptable.

What I don't understand is why you think you deserve new tires over it.

 

I agree, it's within specifications so why would you expect something free from them? If you are concerned then buy bigger tires yourself. Most vehicles are not dead on with the speedo that is why there is an acceptable margin of error. Simply google 'speedometer error specs' and see how many forums with the same complaint come up.
Say they did put bigger tires on it then you will complain your MPG went down and is now lower than what they advertise, what are you going to ask for then?

My speedo was off like everyone elses, I put bigger tires on and now my speedo is right, but I lost 2 MPG and I'm not going to complain.

 

I never said I was looking for anything for free, I said I was hoping we could work out a deal. I explained that 6% might be acceptable to them, but it's not to me. I explained that by simply switching to 265/75R16's we could gain almost 4% of the error back. What I can't believe is that this much error is acceptable to you guys?

 

Correct, they say it cannot be re-calibrated.

 

They may not- but there are speedometer calibrators out there. I believe that there has been some issues with newer model trucks accepting the programming:

Examples:
http://www.jegs.com/p/Hypertech/1026990/10002/-1
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/tacoma_speedometer/
Problems:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2550751

So...Feel free to spend the money on getting it fixed.

It is an acceptable error because w/ changes based on tire wear, inflation, vehical load, and any changes you make make (mainly tires and gearing)- If the speedo was dead on and then the tires weren't inflated properly...You could end up speeding, but with a proper speed indication.

I would also bet you could work with the dealership at 39000 miles to get warranty service...They've documented the problem, so you have some standing.
If you are bothered by not getting an accurate reading- Use your GPS...Prolly alot less headache that way

 

This came from Enola Gaia on customtacos.

Here (from the 2005 Factory Service Manual) are the acceptable ranges for 2005+ Tacoma speedometers at various speed settings:

Reference: mph (U.S.A.)

Standard Indication -- Acceptable Range

20 mph -- 20.0 to 23.0 mph
40 mph -- 40.0 to 43.5 mph
60 mph -- 60.0 to 64.0 mph
80 mph -- 80.0 to 84.5 mph
100 mph -- 100.0 to 105.0 mph
120 mph -- 120.0 to 125.5 mph
140 mph -- 140.0 to 146.0 mph

Notice that *none* of the test spec ranges are allowed to be less than the on-speedo reading.

NOTE: These 'acceptable ranges of variation' for speedometer readings are of the same general order of magnitude *or less* than spec variation figures given for earlier Tacoma generations.

The acceptance of such variations is typical. Speedometer readings are not precise measurements of vehicle speed over the road - that's all there is to it.

In modern vehicles the speed reading / signal is not taken at the wheels at all. In your 2005+ Tacoma it's based on transmission shaft revolutions. In other words - the mph reading you see on the face of the speedometer is what the engineers computed it *should* be based on how fast a well-functioning stock Tacoma (stock wheels, tires, gearing, etc., etc.) ought to be moving as a result of such-and-such transmission rpm's (on a dry flat road with no wheel slippage, etc., etc.).

Another confounding factor is the fact that modern speedometer readings are electronic - typically based on fluctuations in voltage on the speed sensor line. Anything that can cause a minor voltage issue (e.g., slightly loose connection) might affect the signal, and hence the speedo reading on the instrument cluster.

 

Mine will read 80 when I'm actually going 75. At 65 I'm actually going 61.

Is the column on the left the speedometer reading or the actual speed?

 

So who pays for the speeding ticket? Do you think the officer will buy your line "but Toyota says it's whithin their tolerance". I am guessing not!

 

I just got a ticket for 21 over. He asked me if I know how fast I was going, I said truthfully 74 (what it said when I saw the cherries pop). He clocked it 76. Honestly, I made the mistake of assuming (for the last 5 years) the road was 65mph. I guess it's 55. Either way, I was still speeding, and it's not Toyota's fault.

I also don't get the "gimme bigger tires" argument. The only thing toyota would/should do is change the gearing of the cable to match the tire size correctly.

 

Wouldn't really matter to me HOW they fix it, I'd just like to see it fixed. Bigger tires would seem to be an easy fix.

 

And also extremely costly to them opposed to a $2 part. However, that said I'm all for you getting bigger tires if you can, it's not like Toyota's hurting for money.

 

I think I am reading this chart wrong-It'd hard to believe that the Speedo has to show the speed you are going or higher...Is that what you meant??

Cause every person who got a speeding ticket could sue the company who sold them a car.
Do you have the link to this thread on CT??

 

I don't think they should eliminate the ticket (if you're speeding you're speeding). However, I can see a valid argument for "reducing" the fine. So, if the fine ranges are from 0-10 over, 11-20 over, 21-30 over, etc... and you were caught at 21 over, and you can prove that your GPS (or some other measurement) read a few MPH slower, I think they could bump you down to the next highest fine range.

 

That is SO not the point...... Toyota is a business just like anyone else and they try to control their costs when they can. Do the dealerships rake you over the coals for a lot of things?? Yes. But an argument should never be made just because "someone can afford it".

 

I thought these were all throttle by wire now? No speedo cable? I could be wrong.

 

Did you read what else I said? I said it makes no sense for them to do it when a $2 part is all they need to fix. I simply said, if he can do it, more power to him, I ain't crying cause toyota got jipped. (to re-word). Besides they jipped me on my tires, so I hope someone else can get some.

 

Every car I have owned before my Taco read FASTER than what I was really going. For instance, my 06 VW GTI would read 65mph, but GPS said I was actually only going 59mph. When the speedo read 80mph, I was only going 73mph.

When I checked my Taco versus GPS, it was within 1mph at 55, but I cant remember if it was fast or slow. Figured it was close enough to not have to worry about it like I did with my two previous VWs.