b-man

Does anyone know of a place in Virginia (preferably Northern Virginia) that will calibrate and certify my speedometer reading?

I got speeding ticket and was told that having your speedometer checked, and showing up in court with documentation saying your speedometer was off is very common. I'd like the calibration to show it's 4 mph too low . . .

b-man

TD in DC

I need to know the same thing for exactly the same reason in exactly the same place. Damned VA's finest

marlinspike

Good luck. German laws require that speedometers are optomistic, and while there is no such law in the US, the German manufacturers don't care to have to assembly processes and just make them all optomistic. You'll likely find that it reads at least 2mph higher than reality.

joes c4 cab

If you are a AAA member, you can call the office and find out when their traveling speedo checking system will be at a location near you. I did this many years ago so I am not 100% sure they still do it, but it was a great service.

programmatore

There are a few authorized shops that do the speedometer calibration. I think the list is on the DMV website. You have to use an authorized shop and get a certificate for the court. My lawyer (last time I got a ticket) gave me the name of a place in Fairfax. I will try to dig it up in the Rolodex tomorrow. FWIW, my speedometer was actually a couple of mph faster -- WRONG DIRECTION -- so it showed 78 mph at 75 mph.

wwest

Speedometer accuracy is a function of tire inflation and/or wear.....

Same problem with the officer's car, speedometer "head" can be bench calibraded but that doesn't account for inaccuracies as installed, and throughout the day as the tire heat and expand due to pressure increase.

b-man

Unfortunately, I know my speedometer reads high. I'm looking for a place that might be uhhh . . . driver friendly. Anyone can send me a private message if they want. Thanks.

b-man

programmatore

Sorry buddy, but I was told that the court (Fairfax) will only accept calibrations with certificate from authorized shops.

You might try to have a "friendly" independent mechanic to sign an affidavit that there was something wrong with the car (eg. wrong tire size, malfunctioning ABS system which can affect the speedo, etc.) but I would just get a lawyer, plead it down from reckless to speeding, take the points, then attend driver improvement to get rid of 2 of those points.

Good luck.

TD in DC

we think too much alike. that is exactly what I am seeking as well. Please pm me with any info you receive.

TD in DC

I am sure you are right, but I am also certain that some authorized shops are much more P-car driver friendly than others . . .

gota911

Hey Todd, maybe you and B-man can get a Group Buy discount on the "driver friendly" services!

TD in DC

Yeah, I wish . . . My driving record, which only goes back 10 years in DC, was spotless before this ticket. I hope to keep it that way

I am pro law enforcement, but the guy who gave me a ticket was a real tool, and not only because he gave me a ticket

washington dc porsche

A Porsche dealership.

b-man

Unfortunately, I tried and they don't. I'm still in need of suggestions! Thanks guys!

b-man

Glenntpr

No se