No Speedo in Reverse?

[Manarius]

I just noticed when I was backing up today that my speedo doesn't recognize speed going in reverse. I just thought that was pretty weird because both my other cars' speedos go up while in reverse. Is there something different about our cars' way of tracking speed different then the others?

(Hint: If someone could explain how our cars gauge speed, it would be much appreciated)

[tris91ricer]

Basically, it's spinning that cable in your tranny, but IIRC, it doesn't go up when you're in reverse. Mostly because of the fact that when you're reversing, you need to be looking backward, not at the speedo, and that you shouldn't be traveling in reverse for long periods of time. J-Turns are NOT good for your AT, Manarius.

[Manarius]

1. I don't know what a J-Turn is.
2. I don't go in reverse for long periods of time.
3. I do look backwards...if I'm in a place where that is necessary. I usually just look in the mirrors.
4. My name is Jason, get it right.

[evolutionmovement]

J-turns aren't good for manuals either (and they're harder to do). I don't know why the spedo doesn't register in reverse other than as the cable rotates, it only registers when pick ups are tagged in the right order for forward movement. That's just a complete guess as I'm not really sure how it works.

A J-turn is when you drive fast in reverse and then spin the car 180 degrees, engaging forward, and taking off. If you want to do one, you whip the wheel to whatever side you want to spin as fast as you can and then it's just a matter of timing the shift. I recommend doing this with someone else's car.

Steve

[Legacy777]

Yeah our speedos are cable driven. They drive a reed switch in the combination meter. So when you go in reverse they spin backwards, and doesn't display a speed.