why do speedometers go as high as 140 – 160 mph but some average cars can’t go faster than 100 -120?

Question

why do speedometers go as high as 140 – 160 mph but some average cars can’t go faster than 100 -120?

In: Technology

Answer 1

It seems like there may be a lot of speculation in this thread without any actual sources (e.g. “Because you can go downhill!”).

[The answer seems to be a mix of convention, marketing, and making things symmetrical and easy to read.](https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/10/business/speedometers-160-mph/index.html)

>Toyota spokesman Paul Hogard said the automaker wants speedometers to be easy to read, so there’s value in placing the typical operating speed of American cars, 45 mph to 70 mph, he said, at the top of the speedometer, which is the easiest place on the speedometer for the driver to read. To do this – while maintaining a visually-appealing, symmetrical speedometer – requires a gauge that displays well past operating speeds, he said.