speedometer and mpg.

[fred0804]

Ive noticed a disturbing trend with my cube. It seems the speedometer is about 5% fast, so in other words when it shows 60mph Im really doing 57mph. I tested it using mile posts on the highway. This explains a lot. My computer would show avg. mpg around 36 yet when I would check it the old fashioned way at the pump, my math would always show about 5% less or around 34mpg. Thats still great mileage. But the reasons manufacturers have optimistic readouts is multifaceted. First you feel like your car is sportier and quicker when it shows 75 mph when in reality you're doing 71mph. Secondly showing 5% additional mpg can only make owners happy. Also your 60k engine warranty is now in reality 57k. I still think the vehicle is great, but find this to be annoying. The dealer says it's within specs. Check it out for yourselves.

[fral659]

I have also noticed mine is a little off. I checked it on a highway trip to Florida earlier this year using mile posts and my GPS. When I had speedometer set on 70 my GPS showed 68, and in the highway speed range it seemed to be a consistent 2-3 mph off, no more. The dealer is correct about being in spec because I believe govt standards allow 3-5% variance. I have had a few cars that were off the other way also, when my speedo said 70 I was actually going 74, which is worse in my opinion as that can possibly lead to speeding tickets. I can only remember one car that the speedo checked out right on, so I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[anjy834u]

nisaan cube 2011 provides a mileage of 25 mpg on city roads and 30 mpg on highways

[misterdog]

This isn't unique to the cube. I just traded an Audi A4, and it typically read 3 mph faster than actual.
Who knows why manufacturers do it. Safety? Bogosity?

It is easiest to tell when using the GPS. But as the earlier poster said, it's still great mileage. Especially considering the aero!

[Half-Mad]

How did you test it? Comparing the odometer to the mileposts or use a stopwatch and the mileposts?

I would suggest turning on the cruise control at 60 mph, then resetting the average speed display to confirm your speed (resulting in the speedometer showing just above 60), then testing the speed compared to the mileposts and time, and also checking the odometer to the mileposts. I have found that the digital "average speed" indicator displays lower than the dial speedometer.

But, as already mentioned, it is within tolerance, and is better than going faster than you think.

[slydrite]

Mine shows 75mph on the Garmin GPS when the speedo shows 79.

This is nothing new. Most every car, truck, motorcycle I've owned (dozens) does the same thing. Shockingly, my POS 13 year old Saturn wagon is dead accurate with speedo readings - go figure

[fred0804]

So your agreeing with my original post, I still dig the car. I do take exception with the pos saturn. My 98 sl2 won't quit gets 30mpg and my daughter is going to make it thru college with it. It's resale is so low I will get her a new car to start out her career and take the sl2 back for local errands. One starter and one valve cover gasket is all thats been unexpected. I should have such luck with the cube. Best wishes, P.S. I will be in san fran in may first time there, looking forward to it.