On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:38:22 -0800, Paul Johnson
wrote:

Dave Hall wrote:

Yes, you probably should. But periodic speedometer calibration is not
on the list of "maintenance" items in the owner's manuals, nor is it
required as a part of (At least in my state) annual inspection. I'm
not even sure if anyone (other than the dealer) can even perform such
a service. It's clearly not something they advertise.

Any custom shop or instrument shop can recalibrate your speedometer for
hardly more than pocket change. There's really no excuse for not getting
it done.

Just for kicks and grins, when I was at the local auto parts/garage
the other day, I asked in a matter-of-fact way if they did speedo
cal's. The guy looked at me like I grew a second head.

Yes, I imagine there are shops who can handle this. But with the newer
OBD-II ECM system on modern cars, the speedo is often a little more
complex than a simple mechanical pointer. Other than the few specialty
shops and the dealer, I doubt if the typical generic garages that most
people go to can handle it. Most people avoid the dealer once their
warranties expires as they're generally more expensive than the local
garage. It's just not something that anyone talks about.


That's pretty much what they do here as well. In the state of Pa.,
RADAR is only allowed to be used by the state police (You actually
have to be "certified" to use it). The locals use VASCAR, which is why
there are so many white painted lines across the road (Which also
gives alert drivers a heads-up as to where the speed traps will
usually be).

Lucky you. All departments use laser here. Your detector won't go off
until the cop is actually checking your speed (in which it's too late).

Detectors are ineffective against VASCAR as there is no "beam". It's
simple mechanical timing. But the manual nature of this technique is
what opens the door to inaccuracy claims when someone is cited for
going a scant 1 MPH over.

http://www.vascarplus.com/Pages/How_it_works.htm


My
theory is, if you're driving too fast to see the speed trap, you're driving
too fast to spot a real hazard at that speed. Nothing like having
rush-hour traffic shut down because some jackass driving 60 in dense fog
creams a deer on the freeway.

I hear that.

That's the whole basis of the "Smokey Reports" that run across the CB.

Yeah, I'm usually the one spotting them, I know how they work. 8:O)

Sometimes they park an unmanned car near a busy highway and
let the CB'ers pass the word, and everyone slows down, which is all
they wanted anyway.

You must have an amazingly rich police department if they're able to have
expensive surplus equipment to play games with like that.

It all depends on your perspective. If that parked car prevents
accidents, the money saved on emergency response services more than
makes up for the loss of an "active" patrol car.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj