50km/hr mark on the speedo?

[Bigtoothpick]

Was explaining to my boy recently what the tachometer and speedometer in the car are for. And why there are red markings on the tacho.

 

Trust kids to be sharp... he pointed out that the 50km/hr mark on the speedo is different / red, and asked me the reason why. I'm stumped. On closer inspection, it seems that it could be illuminated but I've never seen that happen before.

 

Anyone knows why it's there?

 

This is a FL Trajet.

[Paddie]

Is the 30km/h mark red as well? And do you drive a European car?

 

In Europe, 50km/h (town) and 30km/h (neighbourhood) speed limits are very strictly enforced, hence the red markings on the speedometer to remind drivers.

[Watwheels]

It's the indicator speed for your auto D3,2,1 gear.

 

For your case, a 4-speed auto? The 50km/h mark is probably your D2 max speed indication.

[Caravan]

For my car, the red line means the minimum speed for the overdrive(4th) gear. That is if you accelerate normally, by the time you hit over 50km/h, you should be in your final gear. The lock-up clutch will be in place and you will be at max transmission efficiency.

Btw, my 2nd gear can go all the way till 110km/h, so I don't think it's the D2 limit.

[Rustyz]

Indeed your child is very sharp, I didn't notice till you posted this thread.Despite so many years of driving

[Rickster]

My car a 2006 Rio also have the red marking on the 50km/hr mark. Mine is a manual.

[Watwheels]

Maybe u'r right. Cos different car has different indications. Like the car I drove previously there are three indicators.

[Watwheels]

Sad to say auto or manual all use same speedo.

[Paddie]

You can see the answer here:

 

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3362066

[Watwheels]

But are their guess correct?? Common speed limits?

[Paddie]

I believe so. At least in Austria, Germany and Italy where I've driven, those are common speed limits. Not too sure about other European countries.

[Bigtoothpick]

Is the 30km/h mark red as well? And do you drive a European car?

 

In Europe, 50km/h (town) and 30km/h (neighbourhood) speed limits are very strictly enforced, hence the red markings on the speedometer to remind drivers.

 

mmm.... don't think so is for speed limit dictated by law. Reason is that the marking in my car's speedo is not distinct (that's why I never noticed before). It looks more like a light that's not illuminated. If it's meant to alert me to regulatory speed limit then it fails miserably

[Bigtoothpick]

It's the indicator speed for your auto D3,2,1 gear.

 

For your case, a 4-speed auto? The 50km/h mark is probably your D2 max speed indication.

 

err... can explain a bit more...? So if my car speed hits the gear limit what happens? Will the 50km/h marker light up? Is the auto gearbox in danger of being damaged? I thought so long as RPM is below redline is ok? Thanks

[Octopus]

Was explaining to my boy recently what the tachometer and speedometer in the car are for. And why there are red markings on the tacho.

 

Trust kids to be sharp... he pointed out that the 50km/hr mark on the speedo is different / red, and asked me the reason why. I'm stumped. On closer inspection, it seems that it could be illuminated but I've never seen that happen before.

 

Anyone knows why it's there?

 

This is a FL Trajet.

Mine don't have the red marking on the speedo....

[Watwheels]

So i see.... Thanks for the info.

[Tonyg]

No speed warning on the Digital speedo meter.

[Watwheels]

Now got GPS software to do that.

 

"Pls slow down! Pls slow down!"

[Tonyg]