The Fuss About Overdrive

[T_Aggie03]

I have heard alot of fuss about when to use overdrive and when not to. I have always used Overdrive anytime I am driving, except when pulling heavy loads or on "hilly" terrain. Some say you should not use Overdrive in the city. They claim that Ford makes a weak Overdrive gear, especially in the Explorer, so they say it should be saved for higher speeds like on the highway where you don't have stop and go traffic. Do you'all agree? How do you guys drive your trannys?

Lately, I have been forced to drive in "regular" drive and not Overdrive simply because my Overdrive stopped working. Hopefully I will have time within the next week to haul it into the shop in figure out the problem. I have a feeling it won't be cheap, after all it is an EXPLORER!! (A great SUV but expensive to maintain....) Let me know what you all think.

 

[Pemerling]

i use my overdrive on the highways and dont use it around the hilly countryside ...also ive been wondering ive been using the od button to downshift instead of using my brakes...like if i pass a cop flyin ill hit the button nad slow down so i dont show my brake lights ? is that bad for the tranny

 

[Alec]

Basically I turn O/D off (push button type) when I know there will be a lot of shifting in and out of it. This includes hilly terrain around 50 mph, highway driving when I'm really getting on the gas, and some towing. For instance, if I'm cruising at 70 and a slow person is ahead of me, I'm manually shift out of O/D, pass, and turn it back on. This just saves the computer the hassle of figuring out how to shift and gives me a smooth kickdown instead of a really hard jolt. In the city, it's usually not an issue because my O/D doesn't kick in until at least 50 or 55, depending on the acceleration and grade. If I want to really accelerate around the 55 mph mark, I switch it off. But mostly the O/D gear really helps mileage on the highway. I actually shift less now on the highway when cruising because the blower provides low end power and there isn't a need to always downshift to accelerate a bit. I just let the wastegate close and make more boost.

And Pamerling, as far as I know engine braking isn't a problem at all. In fact many with manual trannies downshift to slow down w/o the brakes. I do it all the time to slow down for a fwy exit or something. There are also many mountain roads where the signs tell you to downshift to engine brake instead of using the brakes.