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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

New wheels - new Speedcal settings needed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stangGT97
  • Start date Start date Nov 13, 2009

stangGT97

New Member
Dec 22, 2004
1,299
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0
Boston area, MA
Nov 13, 2009
#1
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #1
I just bought new 18" FR500s, with 285/35r18s for the back. My old stock tires are 245/45r17s. I've worked out the overall tire height
New: 285/35r18 = 25.85" tall (((285mm*0.35)*2)/25.4(mm/inch) = 25.85")
Old: 245/45r17 = 25.68" tall

That is a little less than 3/16" or 0.66% increase in wheel/tire height. That isn't enough of a change to warrant a recalibration of the speedometer, is it?
 

ChillPhatCat

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 22, 2002
409
65
48
Syracuse, NY
Nov 13, 2009
#2
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #2
It'll just make your speedo off by maybe -4 mph @ 80 (reading slower than actual speed).

I did the calculation on the height difference before... I forget the exact percentage though. Once you do it I'd suggest finding a handful of those radar guns on the side of the road and drive by at a certain speed and see how off it is. As you go faster the difference will be greater, since it's the percentage change in the tire circumferance that matters.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Nov 13, 2009
#3
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #3
Holy math class Batman, I think we have a problem.....

It's the case of the misplaced decimal point.

I agree the percentage difference is 0.662%. However, I think the error at 80 MPH is 0.53 MPH. Or around one half of a mile per hour.

In order to be off by 1 MPH, you will have to go 151 MPH.
 

stangGT97

New Member
Dec 22, 2004
1,299
1
0
Boston area, MA
Nov 13, 2009
#4
  • Nov 13, 2009
  • #4
wmburns said:
Holy math class Batman, I think we have a problem.....

It's the case of the misplaced decimal point.

I agree the percentage difference is 0.662%. However, I think the error at 80 MPH is 0.53 MPH. Or around one half of a mile per hour.

In order to be off by 1 MPH, you will have to go 151 MPH.
Click to expand...



OK you've independently confirmed the math I did. I won't bother looking for new dipswitch settings then. Thanks!
 

ChillPhatCat

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 22, 2002
409
65
48
Syracuse, NY
Nov 14, 2009
#5
  • Nov 14, 2009
  • #5
I actually did no math for this calculation I was going off of what I remembered... so my memory must not be what it used to be. I guess I should have just redone the calculation... oh well.
 
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