overdrive, on or off...............

[wetdog]

........during normal use on 30/40 mph roads, would you leave the o/d off ?

i have been thinking about it, and think that you may extend the life of the transfer box by leaving it off.

whaddya think ?

mick.

 

[azzey]

Personally, I only ever turn it off if I'm going to pass on the highway and want to kick it out of OD. Other than that, it stays in auto... Any other suggestions?

 

[kernowman]

Same with me as Azzy. Never turn mine off unless needed to. Can't see it can make any difference to wear, but then I am no expert.

 

[uefear]

I only turn mine off to get out of the overdrive gear as well. I had a friend tell me that turning it off would be better for around town driving but after experimenting with it I felt like my gas mileage was about the same.

 

[sjr033]

I only turn mine off when I am towing.

 

[loaderopp]

i would leave it off unless your on the highway! my brother leaves his off over 600k on same trans. i drive a stick never over 3rd unless on the highway odometer is wrapped once and a third around again.

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

o/d only kicks in after 55mph, it wouldnt work at 30mph, having o/d off during normal road speeds below 55mph will leave the electronic clutch engaged giving you engine breaking. having it on will allow the car to free roll up to 55mph when o/d kicks in the electronic clutch stays locked untill you go below 55mph and drops out of o/d. i hope this helps

 

[kernowman]

speeds below 55mph will leave the electronic clutch engaged

Am I assuming the electronic clutch is electro magnetic in operation. If so, is it powered in the off or the on position, or am I talking through the back of my head (decent comments only, please)

 

[SB98UKexplorer]

Am I assuming the electronic clutch is electro magnetic in operation. If so, is it powered in the off or the on position, or am I talking through the back of my head (decent comments only, please)

when you turn off (the light on dash illuminates on) the clutch is engaged and the o/d gear will be off.

 

[kernowman]

This does tend to make me think it is better left on.

 

[jays1]

mine is on all the time, with lots of A and B road use town and country work,only time i turn it of is when i want a little engine breaking from speed,or if going up hill and just want a little more pull.
used it like this for nearly 2 years now and the box and stuff is still all good.

 

[wetdog]

some good answers and info there.

'on' i it is then

mick.

 

[azzey]

Yes, I agree. I think that Ford would have made it so that by default, it will work the way it's supposed to (think, lots of people driving Explorers have no clue what the button does or even that it exists). Only if you need it to be off, then you can turn it off.

 

[BIGHVM]

Mine is on all the time- the only time I turn it off is for a very long hill- Dinemore Hill....Thats a damn steep hill. I usually have the car jam packed with bedding stuff, gifts and all the usual crap we need for a long weekend away at her sisters.....Once I had a boot full of.....pavement tiles!