Speedometer: Red Markers

[darkfriend]

Hi all,

Have recently picked up my 118TSI (manual gearbox) and I am intrigued by the red graduations on the speedo at 30 and 50km/h. Is this some European thing/ Are they there to remind me to do something... or just there to provoke a stupid post like this one in this forum?

Are Germans around the world laughing at me right now?

[cameronp]

I've no idea, but I'm sure someone on here will be able to tell us.

While we're at it, does anyone know why the speedo is marked in 5km/h increments for the first section, and then changes to the more normal 10km/h increments at 40km/h? Those crazy Germans must be crazy!

[hoi polloi]

Nothing more than 30 and 50km/h being common urban speed limits in Europe - just indexed to remind the driver...

- Anthony.

[darkfriend]

Nothing more than 30 and 50km/h being common urban speed limits in Europe - just indexed to remind the driver...

- Anthony.

Thought it was probably something like that... It was more exiting when I didn't know... well, not that exciting.

So does this mean that Germans aren't crazy?

[Corey_R]

So does this mean that Germans aren't crazy?

No

But yeah, what hoi polloi said... nothing to see here chaps, move it along

[cme2c]

Thought it was probably something like that... It was more exiting when I didn't know... well, not that exciting.

So does this mean that Germans aren't crazy?

My peugeot has red markings at 50, 90 and 130 for similar reasons. The 1968 Fiat 125 my sister had in the late 70s had red marks on the speedo to show maximum speeds in each gear. Sort of a red line substitute in a car with no tacho. Love those Italians

[hoi polloi]

Interesting to note that Golfs sold in the US (with mph speedometers) do not have the red index marks - I guess this is because, aside from the UK I can't think of any other country still using mph... Keep it simple for them yanks

Also note that the coolant temperature gauge (which is in °C elsewhere) is in °F for the US market - even the UK use °C these days...

Regards,
- Anthony.

[hoi polloi]

So does this mean that Germans aren't crazy?

Well there was one in the 30's and 40's but that's another story...

- Anthony.

[Maverick]

Well there was one in the 30's and 40's but that's another story...

- Anthony.

This forum wouldn't exist and you'd be driving a corolla if it weren't for Adolf so show some respect.

[Captain Courteous]

Speedometer: Red Markers

Hi Guys.. Not sure if it’s already been asked but does anyone know why the marks for 30k and 50k are lit in red??

[team_v]

I believe they are notifying speed limits for areas in the homeland (Germany)

I remember reading something about how their suburban streets are 50km/h and city streets are 30km/h.

['fatboy']

I believe they are notifying speed limits for areas in the homeland (Germany)

I remember reading something about how their suburban streets are 50km/h and city streets are 30km/h.

+1 - its a european reference rather than what is applicable to Australia. I remember seeing these similar markings on Mercedes Benz's speedos.

The 50kmh marking is useful though as most inner city streets in Melbourne are 50kmh zoned.

[Corey_R]

Merged this thread with the existing one... but kept the new thread's title cause it was better. Cheers.

[phantomcamel]

Are Germans around the world laughing at me right now?

No - they're not

[darkfriend]

Hi all,

Have recently picked up my 118TSI (manual gearbox) and I am intrigued by the red graduations on the speedo at 30 and 50km/h. Is this some European thing/ Are they there to remind me to do something... or just there to provoke a stupid post like this one in this forum?

Are Germans around the world laughing at me right now?

Ha ha.. I asked exactly the same question in here when I got my 118TSI manual about 18 months ago. Thread should still be around somewhere...