O/D off button on column shift lever , why?

[Trek5000]

I don't get why the od off button is on the selector lever... for what reason would i want to use or activate the button .. ?

Can anyone explain a driving scenerio ???

 

[Doomstang]

I turn off overdrive in hilly areas to prevent constant down shifts.
So uhm, where else would you want them to put the button?

 

[K5trailrunner]

sure, towing a trailer, a really hilly terain (mountains type of roads) or anything else like that. when you are in overdrive it put a bit more strain on the tranny, so pulling a heavy load or having a big load in the back will make the strain much greater on the tranny in overdrive. so by turning O/D off when you are towing a trailer or caring a load or something like that. it makes your tranny live much longer
hope this helps

 

[imp]

Overdrive gearing's purpose is to allow the engine to "loaf" when not being called upon to do heavy-duty work......the engine turns more slowly, and wear is reduced....IF....keeping vehicle speed up does not require large throttle opening.

So, towing, for example, is one vehicle requirement for which delete of overdrive was intended.

It also allows much less use of brakes when descending long downhill grades, like in mountains. imp

 

[shadowless127]

It also helps the tranny shift when you have the notorious 2-3 shift flare lol.

 

[IZwack]

I don't get why the od off button is on the selector lever

cauz it wouldnt make sense if it was mounted on top of the roof!!!

 

[fedyfedz]

It also helps the tranny shift when you have the notorious 2-3 shift flare lol.

I use mine for that purpose, which im not that happy about lol, but I also use it when im in stop and go traffic and not going to exceeed 50mph cause i find that it always shifts into the next gear as im coming to a stop which is a pain theres no reason to shift from 3-4 to downshift to come to a complete stop. I also use it sometimes because from 4th to 5th with my exhaust it sounds like it falls on its face so i turn o/d off then once at the rpm that im comfortable with ill hit the o/d button to change it to 5th, also use it to down shift if going fast on hwy and some ###### cuts you off. I actually find myself using it alot, not sure if thats a good thing or not. I figure you want your tran to shift as little times as possible. i could be very wrong

 

[Doomstang]

I use mine for that purpose, which im not that happy about lol, but I also use it when im in stop and go traffic and not going to exceeed 50mph cause i find that it always shifts into the next gear as im coming to a stop which is a pain theres no reason to shift from 3-4 to downshift to come to a complete stop. I also use it sometimes because from 4th to 5th with my exhaust it sounds like it falls on its face so i turn o/d off then once at the rpm that im comfortable with ill hit the o/d button to change it to 5th, also use it to down shift if going fast on hwy and some ###### cuts you off. I actually find myself using it alot, not sure if thats a good thing or not. I figure you want your tran to shift as little times as possible. i could be very wrong

I wondered this too. I end up using it fairly often and can't decide if I'm helping or adding additional wear and tear.

 

[shadowless127]

I wondered this too. I end up using it fairly often and can't decide if I'm helping or adding additional wear and tear.

Lately I've been using the button in my 01. I find it makes drivability around town a lot easier, because it's not hunting as often.

I also have been using it when i want to pass someone who obviously has no clue where the throttle is, and I find that if I turn it off, then get on it, the 5.0 responds quicker, and crisper.

In my 03 I used to use it when i wanted to do some WOT pulls, and in stop and go traffic. I miss that truck, but damnit, I don't miss the 5r55 lol

 

[fedyfedz]

In my 03 I used to use it when i wanted to do some WOT pulls, and in stop and go traffic. I miss that truck, but damnit, I don't miss the 5r55 lol

i tried that once when i went to race someone and it did not work in my favor, one of my first post's every i asked what would be the best way to race my truck and someone said try turning o/d off and power brake it for a quick sec then release, it made sense for me but when i tried it a couple of times it seemed it started out in 2nd and would climb slowly from there giving me possibly the slowest take off ever hahaha. when i go WOT i either just power brake, raise rpm to 2-3 then slam it and let off the brake, or I will shift manually if I really want to get the juices flowing...

 

[waskly]

cauz it wouldnt make sense if it was mounted on top of the roof!!!

all lies, i would of loved it on the roof, you know how many tennis balls i would drive with to throw at others people cars to turn it off!

 

[chitown1211]

It also helps the tranny shift when you have the notorious 2-3 shift flare lol.

nice...Im going to have to try this.