[ladydriver]

My 2022 X7 is consistently 3 MPH slower than what the speedometer reads. For instance, if my speedometer says I am going 35, I am actually going 32 MPH. If I am also going 70 per the speedometer, I am only going 67. I recently moved to Houston and I reached out to my closest BMW dealership, who told me that there can be an up to 7% deviation allowed by BMW, which checks out if I am going 70... but doesn't if I am going 35. But they told me I am SOL. This is particularly annoying because I regularly make 22 hour roadtrips between Northern Michigan and Texas, and don't want to constantly be thinking of what my proper speed is the whole time. Has anyone had issues with this previously and had it addressed?

[coolerbythelake]

Originally Posted by ladydriver

My 2022 X7 is consistently 3 MPH slower than what the speedometer reads. For instance, if my speedometer says I am going 35, I am actually going 32 MPH. If I am also going 70 per the speedometer, I am only going 67. I recently moved to Houston and I reached out to my closest BMW dealership, who told me that there can be an up to 7% deviation allowed by BMW, which checks out if I am going 70... but doesn't if I am going 35. But they told me I am SOL. This is particularly annoying because I regularly make 22 hour roadtrips between Northern Michigan and Texas, and don't want to constantly be thinking of what my proper speed is the whole time. Has anyone had issues with this previously and had it addressed?

This is a known thing with BMW, unfortunately. My M550i does it and I'm expecting my X7 to do it, too.

[jmciver]

All car manufactures do this to some extent, and this is not a new practice - it has been around for decades. There is a practical engineering reason to do this which has to do with tire wear and slight tire manufacturing size differences. However, the more likely reason they do this is for legality reasons (especially in the US) - specifically involving speeding. If clocked by a cop, if you are going the posted deep limit, as read on your speedometer, you will never be in the wrong (legally) regarding your speed as read by the cop.

I would not lose any sleep over it personally as it really does not significantly affect anything you do with your car - it is truly a 1st world problem. But if it really bothers you, the "speed correction" can be coded off (or turned off), but the dealer won't do it as they are not authorized to make such a change. You will have to do it yourself (with appropriate coding software tools), or find a coder (including a paid coder) to do it for you. But it would need to be re-coded with each new OTA software update (which typically happens at least once a year).

[wtwo3]

This would be a bigger issue if the car was travelling 3 mph FASTER than the listed speed. But as it's slower by 3mph, I guess I don't see the issue. If you're that concerned about travelling an exact speed, just add 3 to your cruise control target and set it at that.

[BMWX7m60i]

Originally Posted by ladydriver

My 2022 X7 is consistently 3 MPH slower than what the speedometer reads. For instance, if my speedometer says I am going 35, I am actually going 32 MPH. If I am also going 70 per the speedometer, I am only going 67. I recently moved to Houston and I reached out to my closest BMW dealership, who told me that there can be an up to 7% deviation allowed by BMW, which checks out if I am going 70... but doesn't if I am going 35. But they told me I am SOL. This is particularly annoying because I regularly make 22 hour roadtrips between Northern Michigan and Texas, and don't want to constantly be thinking of what my proper speed is the whole time. Has anyone had issues with this previously and had it addressed?

Normal

[blutob2]

Originally Posted by jmciver

All car manufactures do this to some extent, and this is not a new practice - it has been around for decades. There is a practical engineering reason to do this which has to do with tire wear and slight tire manufacturing size differences. However, the more likely reason they do this is for legality reasons (especially in the US) - specifically involving speeding. If clocked by a cop, if you are going the posted deep limit, as read on your speedometer, you will never be in the wrong (legally) regarding your speed as read by the cop.

I would not lose any sleep over it personally as it really does not significantly affect anything you do with your car - it is truly a 1st world problem. But if it really bothers you, the "speed correction" can be coded off (or turned off), but the dealer won't do it as they are not authorized to make such a change. You will have to do it yourself (with appropriate coding software tools), or find a coder (including a paid coder) to do it for you. But it would need to be re-coded with each new OTA software update (which typically happens at least once a year).

I wouldn't necessarily say "All car manufactures do this". That's untrue and multiple don't do this. My Euro brands are my first experience with speed errors and sorry in today's age, it should be exact. I've owned multiple different cars and only a few have had these errors.

[ENstig8or]

My Escalade was always spot on with the speedometer. All of the BMW's I've owned had that speedometer offset. I'm a bit OCD and it has always driven me nuts but I've learned to adapt to it.

[bagekko]

I have driven BMWs for 25yrs and always knew this on the 18 cars I have owned and never once have I ever cared about it, it's no secret or area of concern, pretty sure it's been mentioned in the car manual at times over the years.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by jmciver

All car manufactures do this to some extent, and this is not a new practice - it has been around for decades. There is a practical engineering reason to do this which has to do with tire wear and slight tire manufacturing size differences. However, the more likely reason they do this is for legality reasons (especially in the US) - specifically involving speeding. If clocked by a cop, if you are going the posted deep limit, as read on your speedometer, you will never be in the wrong (legally) regarding your speed as read by the cop.

I would not lose any sleep over it personally as it really does not significantly affect anything you do with your car - it is truly a 1st world problem. But if it really bothers you, the "speed correction" can be coded off (or turned off), but the dealer won't do it as they are not authorized to make such a change. You will have to do it yourself (with appropriate coding software tools), or find a coder (including a paid coder) to do it for you. But it would need to be re-coded with each new OTA software update (which typically happens at least once a year).

No, that's wrong. It's the opposite. They do this to comply with euro regs. US regs allow the speedometer to read lower than your actual speed. Many cars in the US have perfectly accurate speedometers. Tire wear is minor enough to basically be irrelevant here.

The coding for this seems to have changed or no longer be possible on (at least) the '22s. There are about a hundred other threads already existing about the speedo issue; if the OP bothered to search before posting he would have found the threads about coding this off.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

No, that's wrong. It's the opposite. They do this to comply with euro regs. US regs allow the speedometer to read lower than your actual speed. Many cars in the US have perfectly accurate speedometers. Tire wear is minor enough to basically be irrelevant here.

The coding for this seems to have changed or no longer be possible on (at least) the '22s. There are about a hundred other threads already existing about the speedo issue; if the OP bothered to search before posting he would have found the threads about coding this off.

Fair enough, most of my recent cars over the years have been BMWs anyway . Although, my SUV prior to my X7 was a Ford Expedition, which also had a slight speedo offset as well IIRC. So while all manufactures may not allegedly do this, many still do. Whether or not it is only for the US market vs other markets, I don't know. But it makes sense that a speedo offset could also be used in different countries for different reasons. Although, with the US being one of the most litigious countries in the world, it would not surprise me if is done in the US for primarily liability concerns - whether real or perceived (specifically, a speedo offset stating you are going a bit faster than you actually are) - in addition to any potential US regulations.

But as I mentioned before, this is really a first world problem that should not be anyones concern (but as a car enthusiast, I get the OCD aspect of this type of thing being a bit annoying though ).

[dcoopdeville]

The first thing that came to mind when I realized the speedo was off on my x7 was, "what is the actual 0-60 time with this error?" Does this become a 0-64 thing or what? Mines is 4mph faster than actual.

[chicagox7]

This has helped a few times. Just this past holiday season on a trip from the Midwest to the east coast, we forgot to turn on Waze a number of times. The cruise was usually set about 14 mph over the limit. We saw a few cops late. I suspect they saw us before I hit the brakes and luckily was not pulled over- even with out of state plates.

[Qsilver7]

See info below and if you need more details…simply google UN ECE Regulation 39. It will explain how by law…European cars are required to have their speedometers operate as they do.

As others have mentioned, once you know that when the speedometer says 70 MPH and you’re doing 4-5 MPH slower…you can simply adjust if you’re using cruise control…or if you aren’t using CC…you know how much slower you’re going despite what the speedometer says…so what’s the problem? Adjust, adapt, and move on. If it still bothers you…then rejoice in the day you trade her in and never buy a European vehicle again…because the speedometer will still be incorrect.

[beemerb0y]

What would be more concerning if the mileage didn't rack up properly (ie: you drove 100 miles, but the odometer clocked 103 miles)

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by beemerb0y

What would be more concerning if the mileage didn't rack up properly (ie: you drove 100 miles, but the odometer clocked 103 miles)

the mileage is recorded correctly.
only the speedometer display is biased upward to comply with the european regs.

[gsobol]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

the mileage is recorded correctly.
.

Hogwash. At least if we want to be precise.

Since the vehicle speed and therefore distance traveled is derived by measuring the tire rotation, it can never be precise and it will always be off unless it's calibrated and recalibrated during the tire lifetime. Messing with the speed display is just a topping on the whole mess of a cake.

X7 can come with 3 different sizes of tires based on the rim size (21",22", or 23") each one has a slightly different diameter and therefore each rolling distance it's slightly different. Granted, the differences are minor (less than 2%) however it does add up. I think partly why the speed is off is due to regulations and partly since the manufacturer is adding different tire size options to the vehicle, they are covering their butts by making the speedometer read higher to make sure they are in compliance regardless which tire is on the vehicle.

Also, since each tire has a different diameter (by extension revs/mile) the odometer reading is going to be off as well. Not necessarily as much as a speedometer, but not precise none the less.

As an example, X7 comes with:

• 285/45 R21 - 649 revs/mile
• 315/35 R22 (rear) - 658 revs/mile
• 275/40 R22 (front) - 658 revs/mile

Between 21" - 22" setup there is 1.3% difference in diameter.

Having said all that, every vehicle on the planet has the same issue. Unless you are able to somehow calibrate the speedometer (and the dyno) to read the revs/mile correctly this will always be the case. Just think rationally, brand new tire has more rubber on it that the worn out one, do both have the same revs/mile - no. Is the difference relevant - only in this conversation.

Would l have liked to have an accurate reading of the speedometer - yes.
Is there a way to adjust it at the moment - no.

... life goes on

[Orient330iNYC]

i should have said:
the mileage is recorded without the up bias the speedometer shows

[gsobol]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

i should have said:
the mileage is recorded without the up bias the speedometer shows

[Sensibletom]

I feel like it’s saved my butt a few times.

[gsobol]

Originally Posted by Sensibletom

I feel like it’s saved my butt a few times.

Probably did. I did a comparison with a GPS reported speed and my X7 was fairly accurate below 45MPH, but it was consistently showing "faster" above 45MPH from 1mph to 3mph faster than actual speed.

Here's the actual breakdown (I posted this a while back):

Actual speed: <=45 MPH; Speedo: Accurate
Actual speed: 46 - 60 MPH; Speedo: +1 MPH
Actual speed: 61 - 95 MPH; Speedo: +2 MPH
Actual speed: 96 - 130 MPH; Speedo: +3 MPH

Most of the highway speed limit falls in the 61-95 MPH, so +2 MPH may actually save your bacon if you are already pushing it a bit, since you may think you are +10, but the cop sees +8. He may just give you a break.