Tacoma Speedometer off?

I just traded in my 2019 SR for a 2021 SR5. On both vehicles, I have noticed that the speedometer is reading high by about 2 mph at 60-70 mph. Indicated speed is 70 but actual is 68. Tires are factory stock on both trucks. I wrote it off as a fluke on the 2019 but not now. Anyone have a similar experience? I am concerned that the ODO may be off too, making my truck show more miles than it actually has. Haven't spoken to the dealer yet. Thanks!

 

Typically all vehicles read a little faster than actual.

 

Mine is off too. I just ignore it.

 

How do you know that the speedo in the truck isn't correct and whatever you're using to compare (Say a phone app or one of those 'Your Speed Is' things on the side of the road) is wrong?

 

For me, it's cowitnessed. My phone app agrees with the speed on the drive by signs.

 

No reason for concern.

The FMVSS allows the speedometer to "over report" the speed. In other words, it is allowed to read fast. This "over report" has a limit.

Conversely, the odometer is allowed to "under report" the mileage. In other words, it is allowe to show less mileage. This "under report" has a limit.

All vehicles sold in the USA must comply with the FMVSS.


You can use this fact to an advantage when stopped by the LEO. Generally, one of the questions the LEO will ask, "Do you know how fast you were going?" You can truthfully give the following answer, "Officer, I do not know how fast I was going. I only know what my speedometer was showing. I do not know its accuracy."

Now, if you say 75 mph in a 65 mph zone. You will get a citation for 10 mph over. If you were clocked by the LEO at 73 mph......you may not get a citation.

 

Displayed vehicle speed is calculated based on the rotation of the axle, and can be affected by tire size, tire manufacturer variation, tire pressure, as well as mechanical error in the speedometer itself.

As such, these inherent errors are adjusted for by simply showing a speed that's a bit higher than actual, as it's almost always better to think you're going a bit faster than you are versus thinking you are going slower than you are.

3% off is pretty reasonable.

Jeff

 

Normal. Was that way with every Toyota Ive owned. If u want it to be dead on, go up 1 tire size. Mine is exact after installing 265 75 16s.

 

Really want to blow your mind, switch to the digital display speedo and compare it to the needle speedo lol. They won't read the same.

 

Thanks, all. FYI, I used several GPS based phone apps and the radar signs. My new Honda CRV speedo matches the phone apps and radar signs exactly.

 

You can tweak your tire size to compensate for the speedo error using the tire calculator.

Toyota will not fix it.

Ridgeline!

 

SAE spec for speedometers is +- 2% so 2mph is fine.

 

Toyota calibrates to read high intentionally with stock setup. Mine reads 2 mph high at 70-75 as well.
“To offset all of this, and to help prevent you from getting a speeding ticket, most speedometers are designed to read slightly high.”

SAE? purely voluntary if manufacturers adhere to it for speedometers. US regulations do not require it.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/car-accessories/a32026968/are-speedometers-accurate/

 

Mine is a little off about 2 or 3 MPH and then it also likes to do a brief little jump when it hits around 65 MPH.

 

Federal regulations:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&=PART&n=pt49.5.393#se49.5.393_182

§393.82 Speedometer.

within 5mph at a speed of 50 mph.

 

I test with my GPS, phone app and mileage markers. They are always really close (over many miles). Installing 265/70/17 resulted in an exact match (within 1/2mph at the least) for the speedo on my 2010.

 

My Speedo is off by a few more than normal just started doing this today. Any thoughts?

 

Conspiracy theory: Toyota (and other manufacturers) speedometers and odometers read higher than actual mileage driven, then warranties expire sooner thus saving the companies from warranty repairs. Maybe 1-2% per vehicle which would add up when selling millions of vehicles.

 

Amazing how people get bothered by a very small thing.

 

Nope.