Against the law to go faster, why do speedometers go up to 120?

Question

Against the law to go faster, why do speedometers go up to 120?

Answer 1

Why? Because of stupidity (and marketing)...

My Mom's 2003 Accord with 4 cly engine has a 160mph(!) speedometer. When the needle is pointing straight up you're going 80mph!

My current car (2000my)has 120mph speedo. Recently, due to some repairs, I drove a dealer loaner for a couple of weeks. This loaner was the current version of my car (2007my). Both have 4 cyl engines. The new car's speedo went to 150mph, was smaller, and the markings had less contrast. Trying to keep my speed less than 30mph when driving in residential areas required a lot of concentration.

Answer 2

Speed sells cars and that is all that the manufacturers care about.

Answer 3

to show the actual speed at the time of impact.

Answer 4

well if people did not speed the cops would not have a job?!

but some people just like to go fast

Answer 5

It is a hold over from the GOOD OLD muscle car days, For a period of time they were limited to 85. Now days it gives the kiddies bragging rights. More so if they read KPH side as MPH

Answer 6

it isn't illegal to sell cars with speedo that goes to 120 (or even 200 mph).

Some dumb kids think that their cars (like my 94 Civic) can actually do 150 mph just because the speedo says so.  It basically sells cars.

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Long time ago, they made it illegal to sell cars with speedo over 85.  It didn't work well.  Dumb speeders where just speeding blind (going even faster than they though).

Good Luck...

Answer 7

Because it is a selling point - the vehicle has that capability (theoretically) . If you look closely, the speedometer is the only gauge on the panel that does not have a 'redline' - meaning that the mfr agrees for you to drive their vehicle all the way to the end peg . So (again theoretically), one could sue the auto mfr and dealer as complicit for any speeding ticket higher than the maximum speed limit - 75 mph in the US.

Bottom line: If mfrs are not going to recalibrate the speedometers to lower speeds, then the gauge should be redlined at the maximum allowable speed with perhaps an audible warning of overspeed.

Answer 8

this question again. why do they sell rope in 100 foot lengths when I only need 80 feet.

Answer 9

So that it attracts the crazy drivers in Germany