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Why do car clocks run very fast?

9.7K views 82 replies 73 participants last post by  Ron521  
#1 ·
I was undecided if this is a topic for the cafe forum but it is technically about clocks. I've noticed that clocks on cars typically run fast (at least mine). You set it today and next month you are a couple minutes ahead. Why is that? I started googling and it seems it is because OEMs used the cheapest crystals available. Just wondering if your cars dashboard clocks run fast or slow?
 
#3 ·
Badly calibrated quartz module? Like you, my current car (Subaru) has a very fast running clock. After unattended for several months, it is now running 8 min. faster. But my previous cars (Toyota) had clocks that run fine.
 
#4 ·
Mine is pretty good. Of course clock on my truck is only one that is not adjusted by GPS signal. It is only about a minute off probably in a year.
 
#7 ·
We had a Mercedes-Benz GLC300 (employee lease) and it NEVER kept the correct time! NEVER! I don't know where or how it got it's signal but the time would vary by multiple minutes if not hours. I manually adjusted it to the correct time but it later changed so I gave up. It's no longer in my fleet so the dealership can take care of it now.
 
#8 ·
The clock in my Toyota in-dash entertainment system also runs fast to the point where I just don't look at it anymore.
 
#14 ·
I have observed this, too, in my Nissan Micra over the 14 years I've had it. Not drastically fast, maybe a minute a month or thereabouts, but noticeably and consistently. I have no idea why this might be the case, but would be intrigued to find out.
 
#17 ·
The first change to car clocks happened with the Carter-era implementation of energy-saving innovations (catalytic converters, cruise controls, rocker-panel fairings, etc.) They were to run slow, encouraging slower driving as everyone would expect they were running on time or a little bit early. This was actually quite popular, except with oil companies. In 95, this was part of a roll-back of some of those efficiency innovations that Gingrich et al passed as part of their contract with America. With clocks running fast, so did we, using more gas, selling more oil, keeping the world moving as it were.
 
#21 ·
I do not recognise this . Last four cars Mazda, Mazda, Mazda, Kia, had perfect clocks and 15000 - 19000 mls without any oil between routine oil changes.
Before that I had British cars over which I will draw a veil.
 
#25 ·
Clock in my car runs fine. Car itself is slooooow, though. Honestly, I'd be happier if it was the other way around, but what are you gonna do?

The clock in my microwave is hopeless though. Speeds up by several minutes a month. Not too bad if it's a cheap mechanical on your wrist, but I'm reluctant to strap my microwave to my wrist. I don't think it would fit under a cuff, and the WR is a joke.
 
#27 ·
In my 1972 Datsun 240z restomod the clock will drain the battery out in about a week. Imagine that. A huge car battery can only power that little clock for a week. It’s frustrating.
 
#29 ·
I’ve never noticed a consistency in car clocks being fast or slow.

I noticed the clock in my Subaru Outback runs maybe a minute fast each time I spring ahead or fall back, which is the only time I bother touching it. I wouldn’t call that an issue or even a pattern. None of the other cars I‘ve owned have been egregiously slow or fast.

Best car clock I ever had was the VDO analog clock in my ‘79 VW Scirocco: that thing was on the money/to the second year-round. I pulled it out of the dash when I sold the car in the late 80s, and one of these days I am going to put it in a case and make it into a desk clock. I bought a power supply for it around 1995, so I think I am due to finish the project. :)