Why not use overdrive?

[wallygetsit]

I have been reading threads from people asking about whether or not to use overdrive. Responses in general have stated that it is okay to run without overdrive and the only bad effect would be poor gas mileage. I have to believe that the transmission would run much hotter than normal and with no longer than an Explorer transmission lasts it would be wise to run it in overdrive.

What is everyone's thoughts?

 

[Bartman]

small world

Hi Wally,

Hey, a Fort Wayne Explorer! I was born there and grew up in Indpls. Hello to a fellow Hoosier! As to your question, I never take the Ex out of overdrive unless I'm in the mtns and it is hunting between 4th & 5th gear on curvy switchbacks. I've read some of the arguments for/against overdrive, but I'm for it in nearly all cases. I like the extra couple of MPG.

 

[DarkMan]

Living in CO Springs, I can't use overdrive in town. The hills are just too much of a strain and I end up shifting hard all day long.

When I'm on the highway, though, or back home in Amarillo, OD is my best friend. OD works great when you're on long flat stretches, or even around town as long as the road is mostly level.

 

[leenjen]

basically it is meant to be kept in O/D unless towing, very steep hills, etc...

most cars with overdrive have a light on the dash that says "O/D off" when it's not in O/D. that means it is mean to be run in overdrive. if you weren't supposed to use it all the time, the light would say "O/D on"

 

[wallygetsit]

I agree with you guys. I personally leave overdrive on 99% of the time. Besides it seems to be to much hassle turning it off everytime I get it to drive.

The reason I was asking, I got terrible gas mileage the other day, 18mpg, normally I get 20-22mpg, but I did not think anything of it. My wife however asked me later on in the day what the overdrive was for and if she should use it. Well, to be short she had drove the Explorer the last couple days while I was at home and each time she got in, she turned the overdrive off.

I never get below 20mpg.

Hello back at ya, HOOSIER! I was born in Marion myself and lived in Warsaw for quite a while growing up.

 

[ksaldibar]

alot of the time where i live, i only drive on street where the limit is 30mph. not thinking anything of it, my dad and i always use overdrive. would i see a difference in my gas miliage is i use just D? thanks for any help

-ken

 

[gijoecam]

Using overdrive gets you marginally better mileage in general, but the larger savings is in the fact that the engine doesn't need to turn as fast, saving some wear and tear. It's still doing the same amount of work to move the car, just turning slower.

Decent analogy... Think of it like a 10-speed bike... the transmission may be in a higher gear, but to maintain the same speed as a lower gear, the rider (engine) doesn't have to pedal as fast. However, you have to push the pedals harder, even though you're pedaling slower. So, you're not necessarily saving work, just moving slower. Make sense? Didn't think so...

What's this got to do with the original question? I dunno... I leave mine on all the time, unless it's hunting between 4th and 5th, or when towing something heavy with it.

-Joe-

 

[MagicMan]

my turn...

I mainly keep it in overdrive unless the weather is bad, then the increased engine "braking" helps her slow down without braking. therefore braking without braking...er...uh...you guys KNOW what I mean!!!

 

[mmpc]

Aww man! MagicMan stole my thunder... He makes a great point though, many people don't appreciate that turning OD off can also slow you down using engine compression (and a lower gear).

I use this feature all the time on our mountain highways so the brakes don't need to be used as much. Of course, as has already been mentioned, it's also helpful for pulling those steep hills when the tranny is searching for the correct gear.

But 99% of the time, mine stays on. Better mileage, quieter ride, less wear & tear on the engine...

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

Another Hoosier - another opinion.

o/d off is definitely great for braking. i use it on the highway when people ar clogging up. if you notice like going into a tunnel or when roads merge people get nervous and tap their brakes. they dont slow down they just shine their lights. then everybody behind them taps their brakes then peopel start slowing down and then you get stuck on i-95 for 3 hours in jacksonville rush hour traffic while going on vacation. then we have a back up so my one man war on the tap affect is to click off my o/d to slow down. defintely use it on flat roadds. i vene turn it off around the neighbor hood but thats just to make my pipes rumble a little more.

ps im from michagen city with family in elkhart and tera haute.

favorite movie: hoosiers
favorite college team: hoosiers
favorite race car tire even though i dont have a race car: hoosiers
favorite word: noodle

 

[ksaldibar]

thanks for the help guys.

-ken