Kestas
Staff member
In business, 1% or 2% advantage is where the money is made over the competition. Anybody that works in Corporate America knows what I mean. We could probably add quite a bit to H2GURU's list.
Faulty odometers racking up extra mileage!
- Thread starter wagsg
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Both my Jeeps run a size larger tire
Don't trust the mile posts or exit numbers on the side of the highways for calibration either. They get moved and fudged around a lot through the years.
Many, most bikes I've had are 10% off as mentioned. Always wondered how they got around the feds with this? One theory has to do with the allowable tire sizing that may fit the rim on the bike. On many bikes I fitted up bigger tires and corrected the speedo/odo. Could this be the same with the minuscule 2% error on the honda? maybe another model of the same car came with a different wheel package and it was correct? What if it was the other way, 2% in the favor of the consumer, do you think the media would even have run the story?
Many, most bikes I've had are 10% off as mentioned. Always wondered how they got around the feds with this? One theory has to do with the allowable tire sizing that may fit the rim on the bike. On many bikes I fitted up bigger tires and corrected the speedo/odo. Could this be the same with the minuscule 2% error on the honda? maybe another model of the same car came with a different wheel package and it was correct? What if it was the other way, 2% in the favor of the consumer, do you think the media would even have run the story?
Kestas,
My first exposure to this was something that perhaps you are familiar with. About 20 years ago I was reading Labatt's Blue (a brew I was quite fond of) label and surfered the absolute outrage that Les Habitants saw fit to only put 11.5 ozs. into their package. I have not purchased their product since. If there ever was a standard in this country, it should be 12 ozs. of beer in a package, EH?
My first exposure to this was something that perhaps you are familiar with. About 20 years ago I was reading Labatt's Blue (a brew I was quite fond of) label and surfered the absolute outrage that Les Habitants saw fit to only put 11.5 ozs. into their package. I have not purchased their product since. If there ever was a standard in this country, it should be 12 ozs. of beer in a package, EH?
Isn't the internet great. Stuff like this comes out into the open much more when there are lots of people communicating.
A car's speedometer and odometer constantly change due to tire wear. They can't be 'right' for the duration of the tire's life.
I just wish they would pay "Honda miles" to us truck drivers.
Kestas
Staff member
H2GURU, that astually surprises me since much of the beverage cost is the container. It shows you how far a greedy business will go to save a penny.
On the other hand, remember when other beverage producers went from US to metric volumes a few decades ago?... They went from pint to half-liter bottles. This resulted in beverages going from 16.0 oz to 16.9 oz. Gotta give them credit for that.
On the other hand, remember when other beverage producers went from US to metric volumes a few decades ago?... They went from pint to half-liter bottles. This resulted in beverages going from 16.0 oz to 16.9 oz. Gotta give them credit for that.
Kestas
Staff member
mechtech2, I agree with your statement. They got suspicious when they found a consistent two percent difference with new tires .
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I like the flat road test idea. But, if there is a problem, could you tell whether it was in the odo or speedo (without further testing)? Maybe you could ask a cop-in-wait to test your speed for you, then circle around for a run by him. But surely there is a more convenient way.
As to the question of Honda trying to sneak 2% past its consumers, I can hardly imagine that it was an honest mistake. (I like my 03 CR-V, but have wondered since it was brand new about that odometer, and just never bothered to measure it because it didn't seem off enough to bother. I haven't yet received anything from Honda about it, either.) They have some of the best auto engineers in the world, the best available technology at their disposal, and a reputation for high mpg to maintain. In the long run, it's not THAT big a deal, as their cars still serve their intended purpose exceedingly well, but it is rather disappointing.
As to the question of Honda trying to sneak 2% past its consumers, I can hardly imagine that it was an honest mistake. (I like my 03 CR-V, but have wondered since it was brand new about that odometer, and just never bothered to measure it because it didn't seem off enough to bother. I haven't yet received anything from Honda about it, either.) They have some of the best auto engineers in the world, the best available technology at their disposal, and a reputation for high mpg to maintain. In the long run, it's not THAT big a deal, as their cars still serve their intended purpose exceedingly well, but it is rather disappointing.
In a similar vein but not directly applicable to the topic.....
Feds blather about the wonders of a low inflation rate.
Of course, the bureaucrats and their politico masters look at costs.... not cost per service or product received for a cost.
Thus, a price may remain the same but the manufacturer reduces the amount of the product, such as the ever-shrinking candy bar.
Another tactic is to keep the price the same but reduce the quality and potential longevity by using cheaper components, materials, etc.
A similar experience happens with the dreaded tax bracket creep. Earn more money but enter a higher tax bracket. Oh yeah, you are coming out ahead BUT, not as ahead as you should have.
I wonder how much Honda has saved in total via that itty bitty 2-percent higher-reading meter of odos when one amasses ALL the Hondas sold. A buck or two or three or more per vehicle surely adds up to a decent wad of cash.
I, the cootish-like old guy, does not expect an odo-meter to be absolutely 100-percent accurate. However, if the VAST majority of those metered odos are registering more miles than actually travelled with few to none registering less miles.... well.... my suspicions are raised along with hackles.
Feds blather about the wonders of a low inflation rate.
Of course, the bureaucrats and their politico masters look at costs.... not cost per service or product received for a cost.
Thus, a price may remain the same but the manufacturer reduces the amount of the product, such as the ever-shrinking candy bar.
Another tactic is to keep the price the same but reduce the quality and potential longevity by using cheaper components, materials, etc.
A similar experience happens with the dreaded tax bracket creep. Earn more money but enter a higher tax bracket. Oh yeah, you are coming out ahead BUT, not as ahead as you should have.
I wonder how much Honda has saved in total via that itty bitty 2-percent higher-reading meter of odos when one amasses ALL the Hondas sold. A buck or two or three or more per vehicle surely adds up to a decent wad of cash.
I, the cootish-like old guy, does not expect an odo-meter to be absolutely 100-percent accurate. However, if the VAST majority of those metered odos are registering more miles than actually travelled with few to none registering less miles.... well.... my suspicions are raised along with hackles.
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