In a message dated 9/1/02 10:26:29 PM, pythias@pacifier.com writes:
<< all this about calibrated gauges reminds me of something i
once read about tachs. i think it applies here.
the comment was that you don't need numbers AT ALL on a
tach. all you need is four markings. idle, max torque, max
horsepower, and redline. everthing else is relative to
these. same with an oil pressure gauge? zero, idle,
and redline pressure! as long its not ZERO then all is
well! >>
Exception that proves the rule is rallyes. If your Speedo is relative, and
your Tach is relative, how do you know what your actual speed is? But
otherwise, that's probably true of all gages. After all, wasn't that what
idiot lights were all about--the biggest problem being that you never knew
whether you were okay or the light was burned out. And if the light was on,
there was always the question as to whether the sensor was malfunctioning or
there WAS a problem and you just couldn't spot it. The new Heep (spanish)
has a little computer that tells you which way you are going, how hot it is
outside, an estimate of your gas mileage and how how many miles it is from
empty (honest), plus a couple more and guess what--all that is relative, too.
So you still need to rely on the good old odometer and gas pump gages to
figure real gas mileage. And I guess you are right. We have gone from
calibrated instruments to toggle switch idiot lights to computers that are
relatively accurate in only 40 or so years. Welcome to the Brave New World.
Annice & Bob
1960 Bugeye (Mk. IV in disguise) "The Sprite"
1966 Sprite Mk. III (Still in Boxes) "Trevor"
2000 Miata SE Mahogany "The Miata"
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo "The Heep"
1991 Lazy Days (Ford) "The Motorhome"
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