I was just looking through the NC traffic laws and found this;

20‑123.2 Speedometer.

(a) Every self‑propelled motor vehicle when operated on the highway shall be equipped with a speedometer which shall be maintained in good working order.

(b) Any person violating this section shall have committed an infraction and may be ordered to pay a penalty of not more than twenty‑five dollars ($25.00). No drivers license points, insurance points or premium surcharge shall be assessed on or imputed to any party on account of a violation of this section. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 822, s. 2.)

I don't know if you told the officer you think your speedo is wrong because of the new tires, but he might of assumed....

 

All this talk about the speedo doesn't quite make sense unless the op told him it was off. Otherwise there is no way the cop could know unless he counted tire rotations vs speed or something ridiculous. If the op didn't tell the cop his speedo was off the I would guess it still has to do with fenders. I agree with the guy who said to call. It would be interesting to hear what it is actually about.

 

Ya, I almost suggested to the OP he move to Michigan, a great place to drive just about anything you want. No inspections and the police are pretty lax on enforcing the few vehicle codes (at least around here), so you can build Franken-vehicles. The speedo on my Ranger has read 0 mph for 7 years, damn cable was too short when I put the V-8/AOD tranny in. I got pretty good at judging speed without it. It is lifted higher than code and my license plate light was out for at least 2 years before I finally traced the wire. I have not been pulled over in Michigan since 1981 (knock on wood).

About the only reason they would pull anyone over for a vehicle code around here is as an excuse because they were suspicious of something else.

Now, finding a good job to finance the vehicle building in MI is.......a whole nother matter.

I have always loved motorized toys, and no way could live somewhere more restrictive.

OP still needs to verify for sure what the hell the ticket means.

 

You will get in trouble if they're not street legal, it's just a matter of time. You just haven't been caught yet.


To the OP:
Unless you told the cop that your speedo was off, there's no way for him to know it without you saying so. That must mean your tires are either damaged, sticking out too far and not covered by fender flares, or you don't have mud flaps if they are required. Other than that, it is a bullshit ticket. Look up NC's laws on those 3 topics. Oh and you don't have beadlocks, right?

 

I know that every time I have ever been pulled over for speeding the cop has always asked me how fast I was going. If the trooper asked this and the OP said 75, and the radar said more (like say 80-81 by my determinations above), then the trooper would be able to know that the speedometer was off. If you look at the OP's pictures in his profile, it is very evident that the Jeep is not stock. Therefore, it would be very easy for the trooper to issue an "Inappropriate Tires" warning to the OP.


All I know it the OP was looking for answers as to why he might have been issue the warning. My idea on the tires causing error in the speedometer was the most plausible explanation for such a warning. Additionally, the warning requires sign off by another officer thereby forcing the OP to at least discuss the matter with someone else.

Furthermore, the OP has conceded that his speedometer is likely off and asked advice on what should be done about it. I still maintain that the most likely explanation for the inappropriate tire warning is that his non-stock tires resulted in an erroneous speedometer.

 

BTW not 1 state has a no beadlock law and not one time that I have ever been pulled over has a cop read the side of my tire to see of is "DOT" approved. And I've been pulled over A LOT, ROFL.

 

I was only cited for speeding and got the warning for the tires. It was a trooper, not cmpd. He said he stopped me for my speed and asked me how fast I was going. I said about 75. He cited me for 83. Perhaps that's why he gave me the warning, because my answer differed from reality. Even if someone's speedometer was 100% accurate, does anyone ever respond truthfully to that question? I only have fifteen days (per the warning) to have the warning signed by an officer and mailed back in. Hopefully, I won't have to actually change anything and can just have someone sign it.

 

He's just mad cause yours was bigger than his...tires that is haha

 

Good rule of thumb...

Never... NEVER... tell an officer that you knew how fast you were going. Always answer no. When you tell them you did know how fast you were going, you've just admitted guilt and it will make it next to impossible to defend yourself in court, should you choose to go that route.


As far as the OP's issue, simply call the court. They'll be able to tell you exactly what "improper tires" means. Sounds fishy to me, though...

 

I can't imagine the improper tire warning had anything to do with the speedometer being off. He wouldn't know if it were off. Also, I just went from 255/75r17 to 285/70r17, and my speedo is right on with the navigation system. So if your speedo is off, I doubt it's off by very much.