Do all speedometers read clockwise, rather than counterclockwise?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Do all speedometers read clockwise, rather than counterclockwise?
Do all speedometers have the increasing increments in a clockwise manner?
Topic came up in a discussion in regional differences in gauges, switches, dials, etc. (I never noticed that the US convention for light switches is up means on, but the reverse is true in some European countries; or that keys usually turn away from the door jamb to open).
In any event, someone asked if speedometers read counterclockwise in any country or in any make of vehicle.
I could only find one specialty speedometer that reads counterclockwise.
My guess is most speedometers read clockwise as a holdover related to steam engine or similar old gauges, or is somehow related to places that read from left to right, but I really have no idea.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Topic came up in a discussion in regional differences in gauges, switches, dials, etc. (I never noticed that the US convention for light switches is up means on, but the reverse is true in some European countries; or that keys usually turn away from the door jamb to open).
In any event, someone asked if speedometers read counterclockwise in any country or in any make of vehicle.
I could only find one specialty speedometer that reads counterclockwise.
My guess is most speedometers read clockwise as a holdover related to steam engine or similar old gauges, or is somehow related to places that read from left to right, but I really have no idea.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
Some used a roller behind a guage, no needle, just a drum that rolled up and down as seed changes.
I think there is also an up and down one, but can't remember what it came in.
I think this stems from the reading from left to right, writing numbers from left to right...
I think there is also an up and down one, but can't remember what it came in.
I think this stems from the reading from left to right, writing numbers from left to right...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Indiana
Some countries languages require them to read right to left versus Englishes left to right. Maybe there gauges read differently. Also maybe in the Southern Hemishere where the water goes down the drain counterclockwise versus going down the drain clockwise up here LOL
Last edited by rangerfan; Apr 19, 2006 at 08:47 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
lol...good point rangerfan!
I've always seen left to right...right to left would confuse me. I've seen some airplane gauges that spool left to right...and many have the rollers that were mentioned before. And all the new airplanes practically have "glass cockpits" with LCD screens, with numbers that run from bottom to top on a "tape".
RP
Zach
I've always seen left to right...right to left would confuse me. I've seen some airplane gauges that spool left to right...and many have the rollers that were mentioned before. And all the new airplanes practically have "glass cockpits" with LCD screens, with numbers that run from bottom to top on a "tape".
RP
Zach
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From what I understand, the original Cobras had a reverse sweeping speedometer gauge.
http://www.classicinstruments.com/in...ronicprogramma
http://www.classicinstruments.com/in...ronicprogramma
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
im sure foreign cars have backward speedos as everything is usually backwards. if i remember right there was a motor in england in a high performance car that turned the opposite way that our engines all turn. can u imageing driving a performance car and shifting with ur left hand, WOW that would be fun
Matt
Matt
