Editing Governor (device) (section)

==Speed limiters==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2009}}
{{main|Speed limiter}}
Governors can be used to limit the top speed for vehicles, and for some classes of vehicle such devices are a legal requirement. They can more generally be used to limit the rotational speed of the [[internal combustion engine]] or protect the engine from damage due to excessive rotational speed.

===Cars===
Today, [[BMW]], [[Audi]], [[Volkswagen]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] limit their production cars to {{cvt|250|km/h|0}}.  Certain [[Audi Sport GmbH]] and [[Mercedes-AMG|AMG]] cars, and the [[Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren|Mercedes/McLaren SLR]] are exceptions. The BMW Rolls-Royces are limited to {{cvt|240|km/h|0}}. [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguars]], although British, also have a limiter, as do the Swedish [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] and [[Volvo Cars|Volvo]] on cars where it is necessary.

German manufacturers initially started the "[[gentlemen's agreement]]", electronically limiting their vehicles to a top speed of {{cvt|250|km/h|0}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoevolution.com/news/gentlemens-agreement-not-so-fast-sir-47736.html|title=Gentlemen's Agreement: Not So Fast, Sir!|author=Bogdan Popa|work=autoevolution|date=28 July 2012}}</ref><ref>van Gorp, Anke. "Ethical Issues in Engineering Design; Safety and Sustainability" page 16. Published by 3TU Ethics, 2005. {{ISBN|9090199071}}, 9789090199078 . ISSN 1574-941X</ref> since such high speeds are more likely on the [[Autobahn]].  This was done to reduce the political desire to introduce a legal speed limit.

In European markets, [[General Motors Europe]] sometimes choose to discount the agreement, meaning that certain high-powered [[Opel]] or [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] cars can exceed the {{cvt|250|km/h|0}} mark, whereas their [[Cadillac]]s do not.  [[Ferrari]], [[Lamborghini]], [[Maserati]], [[Porsche]], [[Aston Martin]] and [[Bentley]] also do not limit their cars, at least not to {{cvt|250|km/h|0}}. The Chrysler [[Chrysler 300#300C|300C]] SRT8 is limited to {{cvt|270|km/h|0}}.  Most Japanese domestic market vehicles are limited to only {{cvt|180|km/h|0}} or {{cvt|190|km/h|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fv20080413pl.html |title=Why Japan finally got its foot off the brake &#124; The Japan Times Online |publisher=Search.japantimes.co.jp |date=2008-04-13 |access-date=2012-11-08}}</ref>  The top speed is a strong sales argument, though speeds above about {{cvt|300|km/h|-1}} are not likely reachable on public roads.

Many performance cars are limited to a speed of {{cvt|250|km/h|0}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/so-long-guvnor-mercedes-will-unlock-top-speed-on-amg-models-in-the-us-for-a-price-154226.php|title=So Long Guv'nor: Mercedes Will Unlock Top Speed on AMG Models in the US, for a Price|author=Mike Spinelli|work=Jalopnik|date=11 February 2006 }}</ref> to limit insurance costs of the vehicle, and reduce the risk of [[tire]]s failing.

===Mopeds===
[[Mopeds]] in the United Kingdom have required a {{cvt|30|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} speed limiter since 1977.<ref>{{anchor|Dft2008a}} {{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/162469/221412/221549/227755/rrcgb2008.pdf|title=Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2008 Annual Report|author=Department for Transport|year=2008|access-date=2010-01-09}} p.179 states: "Mopeds redefined to 30 mph maximum design speed"</ref> Most other European countries have similar rules (see the main article).

===Public services vehicles===
Public service vehicles often have a legislated top speed. [[Coach transport in the United Kingdom|Scheduled coach services in the United kingdom]] (and also [[Bus transport in the United Kingdom|bus services]]) are limited to 65&nbsp;mph.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/History?OpenDocument|title=History of British road safety|access-date=2010-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617064650/http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/History?OpenDocument|archive-date=2010-06-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Urban public buses often have speed governors which are typically set to between {{cvt|65|km/h|0}} and {{cvt|100|km/h|0}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}

===Trucks===
All [[heavy vehicle]]s in [[Europe]] and [[New Zealand]] have law/by-law governors that limits their speeds to {{cvt|90|km/h|0}} or {{cvt|100|km/h|0}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}} [[Fire engine]]s and other emergency vehicles are exempt from this requirement.