What's with the increasingly restrictive speed limiters on new cars?

[Pariah]

I can assure you that the 2011 Mustang GT will blow past the 113 MPH mark.

That's probably why the speed limiter is 155mph for the GT, not 113.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Instead of having a speed limiter, they should have gear ratios set so that your top speed is 112mph, but you get there really fast. I'd be OK with that.

 

[zsdersw]

I'm against them philosophically, not practically. Manufacturers shouldn't be liable if someone chooses to drive their car past the speed at which it can operate safely. I don't think the element of operator choice should be ignored or that everyone else should have to do something special because a select few are going to make stupid choices.

I realize we live in the world we live in, and that it's probably not going to change in that way, but that doesn't mean it's right.

 

[JackBurton]

That's probably why the speed limiter is 155mph for the GT, not 113.

I'm well aware of that.

 

[AMCRambler]

Id say that kinda sucks if you want to drag race your car at a track. Forces you to go get the car reprogrammed. Although I guess you'd probably already have gotten a tune on your V6 stang if you can hit 113 in the quarter, so maybe not.

 

[Bignate603]

I'm against them philosophically, not practically. Manufacturers shouldn't be liable if someone chooses to drive their car past the speed at which it can operate safely. I don't think the element of operator choice should be ignored or that everyone else should have to do something special because a select few are going to make stupid choices.

If a product that a manufacturer makes can reasonably be operated outside the range where it is safe it's completely understandable that they put a limit on it to prevent a dangerous situation. It's an idea that isn't just used on cars. You can scream that it's limiting you, but it's not going to change the fact that they know the limits of the vehicle and are choosing to put something on the car that makes people stay within those limits. It's a responsible business practice.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I wouldn't say they are increasingly restrictive. my 98 Camaro V6 was factory limited to 112mph (similar to the new mustang V6). The suspension, brakes, and chassis were the same as the V8 that had the higher limiter.

I never, ever needed to go even close to that 112mph limiter. Even after I got it tuned (which a side effect was removing the limiter) I never did. It would have taken a bunch of work to that car to hit 112mph in the quarter mile at the drag strip - including a tune - so tuning that limiter out would be a non-issue.

If you're hitting the limiter on a public road, you're being an idiot.

 

[thescreensavers]

High speed road force Balance ftw!

 

[Zenmervolt]

It's common sense. Almost everything about vehicles has a related law or regulation. New laws and regulations are created all the time, especially as a result of accidents and other incidents. It's not unreasonable to conclude that a law or regulation that mandates limiters would be created if manufacturers stopped including them on their own and someone got in an accident.

Again, you have no objective data. Merely your personal prejudices. That's not a rational way to assess a situation.

Age does not determine what's good, right, or proper. What you appear to be using is the old "that's the way we've always done it" excuse.

Conversely, just because something has been done a certain way in the past does not make it wrong or improper. Again, you haven't provided a shred of objective data for your point. I've countered your claims of "government interference" by pointing out that this is a long-established common-law principle (hint: common law is not created by legislatures). You've reacted not by providing countervailing data, but by appealing to fallacies and tossing red herrings.

I'm not the one bitching.. but you seem to be.

And now we're adding ad-hominem into the mix. Here's a tip: If you ever have to go to court, don't represent yourself. I'm out.

ZV

 

[Bignate603]

And now we're adding ad-hominem into the mix. Here's a tip: If you ever have to go to court, don't represent yourself.

ZV

I disagree. If he represents himself it's likely we won't hear from him for a LOOOONG time. That wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[Jumpem]

It's illegal to exceed the speed limit during a pass anyway.

 

[zsdersw]

And now we're adding ad-hominem into the mix. Here's a tip: If you ever have to go to court, don't represent yourself. I'm out.

ZV

You were the first one to use the word "bitch". Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

 

[zsdersw]

That wouldn't be a bad thing.

Sorry, kiddo.. I'm not going anywhere.

 

[thescreensavers]

It's illegal to exceed the speed limit during a pass anyway.

lol then you will never pass to begin with. But not saying to go 95

 

[Jumpem]

lol then you will never pass to begin with. But not saying to go 95

Exactly. I rarely pass. If a car in front of you is going 50 in a 55, you will be in the left lane too long if you don't go over 55.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

just checking in to laugh at the OP. only 96 in a truck, boo hoo.

 

[DominionSeraph]

404 -- "increasingly restrictive" not found.

S has always been 112MPH.

 

[soccerballtux]

Meh, all Japanese domestic market cars are limited to 180 kmh (112 mph). That includes icons like the Skyline GTR, RX-7 FD, NSX, and even the current R35 GT-R. So it's not like this is really new in the automotive world.

no they're not

 

[OS]

the stock base mustang suspension is pretty crappy anyways, it get bouncy going over 100.
the base mustang is kind of overpowered for the suspension, all the rags were testing V6 mustangs with the optional suspension.

 

[thegimp03]

If someone wants to go faster than 96 mph in a F150 of all things, they're a hazard to other people on the road. That 4500+ pound rock isn't slowing down very fast and isn't very maneuverable at those speeds.

 

[ShawnD1]

Oh no, not this again....if the inability to accelerate past 96mph makes it so you could not complete your pass, you really should not be driving.

That said..I dunno. Liability?

lol. this. seriously.
Passing is still easily done with the 96mph limit because that extra power is used to accelerate the car. A 300HP mustang will go from 50-100mph much faster than a Corolla will.

It's illegal to exceed the speed limit during a pass anyway.

Whoever came up with this law should be killed. It would be literally impossible to pass if it involved going the speed limit. How many hours or days would you spend in the oncoming lane if you were only going 5mph faster than the car you're trying to pass?

 

[Gillbot]

Oh no, not this again....if the inability to accelerate past 96mph makes it so you could not complete your pass, you really should not be driving.

That said..I dunno. Liability?

He listed the V6, which is factory rated at 305hp, not 400+ or 320 for that matter.

Although they had the upgraded tires on the V6 (which gives you the base GT tires) in the C&D article, "The base Mustang V6 automatic wears relatively narrow, low-rolling-resistance 215/65R17 Michelin A/S Energy Saver tires..." according to an InsideLine article so that would be the reason for the low speed limiter on the V6. They aren't going to go through the trouble of changing the limiter in the tune for a different tire package.

Yep, it's typically the tire choice that sets the limiter.

 

[SparkyJJO]

lol. this. seriously.
Passing is still easily done with the 96mph limit because that extra power is used to accelerate the car. A 300HP mustang will go from 50-100mph much faster than a Corolla will.



Whoever came up with this law should be killed. It would be literally impossible to pass if it involved going the speed limit. How many hours or days would you spend in the oncoming lane if you were only going 5mph faster than the car you're trying to pass?

Oh look, Shawn hating on his corolla again

If the car in front of you is only going 5mph below the speed limit, and you're on a 2 lane road, BE PATIENT. Seriously, is a minute or two over the course of your entire trip going to make that big of a difference?

 

[ShawnD1]

If the car in front of you is only going 5mph below the speed limit, and you're on a 2 lane road, BE PATIENT. Seriously, is a minute or two over the course of your entire trip going to make that big of a difference?

Yes it fucking is. People who are retarded not only drive slow, but they drive at an inconsistent speed so I can't use the cruise control. I can't even benefit from tailgating them to get better gas mileage. I don't mind tailgating big trucks since they understand how gas pedals work, but retards who fluctuate between 50mph and 70mph are frustrating to follow.

fact: people who don't use cruise control (or drive really god damn fast without cruise control) need to be executed.

 

[Bignate603]

Yes it fucking is. People who are retarded not only drive slow, but they drive at an inconsistent speed so I can't use the cruise control. I can't even benefit from tailgating them to get better gas mileage. I don't mind tailgating big trucks since they understand how gas pedals work, but retards who fluctuate between 50mph and 70mph are frustrating to follow.

fact: people who don't use cruise control (or drive really god damn fast without cruise control) need to be executed.

You're complaining because you can't tailgate?