overdrive on or off

chubibo · Jan 31st, 2006, 01:04 AM

do you drive with overdrive on or off? what would be the optimal setting for city driving? highway driving?

ERBell · Jan 31st, 2006, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubibo

do you drive with overdrive on or off? what would be the optimal setting for city driving? highway driving?

I just leave it on. On the Highway it gives you an extra gear so your engine rpm is lower and you get fuel economy.

I guess I would turn it off if I was going up a hill all loaded up with a trailer. It would prevent the transmission from grabbing top gear when you don't want it to.

Rockford · Jan 31st, 2006, 06:56 AM

I always leave it on too. I'd turn it off if a situation arose where the vehicle was hunting for the right gear a lot on the highway I guess.

Avery Slickride · Jan 31st, 2006, 10:21 AM

I'd leave it on unless I'm pulling a trailer, hauling a heavy load, or climbing a long slope.

Zilverado · Jan 31st, 2006, 11:58 AM

I agree - - leave it on. The tranny will go to OD when it can.

Having said this you SHOULD NEVER pull a trailer in OD. I know others have said this, but I just wanted to add that as well. I have had our pathy tranny rebuilt twice (I used to tow in OD). The number one killer of an automatic is heat, and pulling a heavy load in OD will definitely generate heat. Also, OD (at least in my tranny) is not a fluid gear - it's more mechanical. This lack of fluid "shock absorption" in the drive train puts additional strain on the drive train components when a trailer is doing it's thing (ie bouncing, swaying, etc.)behind the tow vehicle.

I don't understand this completely, but it seemed to make sense when my tranny shop was explaining it.