Is the speedometer the top speed?
Is the speedometer the top speed? Most speedometers max out around 140 or 160 mph, even though the cars aren't designed to go that fast. The practice serves automakers' needs to mass-produce standard gauges for different cars. It also adds psychological benefits to drivers, who may want to think of themselves as amateur racecar drivers. What determines the maximum speed of a car? Since the car moves the circumference of the wheel with each axle revolution the the Axle RPM times (Pi x wheel&tire diameter) will give the theroretical maximum speed of the engine drivetrain. What is being indicated by...