when to turn off overdrive?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
when to turn off overdrive?
Coming from a Dodge I always turn off O/D when towing pretty much anything. I was pulling my race car last week, maybe 3k total, with O/D off as usual. I stopped for fuel and forgot to shut the O/D off after restarting the truck after fueling. I didn't realize for about 10min after getting back on the highway at which point I saw that with O/D on my boost dropped 5lbs, rpms dropped by around 500, and most notably my trans temp dropped by 30 degrees! Seemed like the truck liked pulling with O/D on more than off, and I got better mpg to boot.
Is it bad to tow like this? I always thought heat killed transmissions which is why the O/D switch is there?
Someone school me on why/when to shut it off.
Is it bad to tow like this? I always thought heat killed transmissions which is why the O/D switch is there?
Someone school me on why/when to shut it off.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 1
From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
Just pay attention to it. If the transmission is hunting then lock it out. If you can get it to set in OD, then run it. Also kind of depends on your speeds. If you dropped 500rpms, something tells me you weren't doing 65 mph...
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
If you find that you are on a road where your transmission is shifting up and down between gears then it's usually best to go ahead and pull down to the lower gear, back out of the throttle a little bit and ride it out until you get to level terrain. It's ok to let the engine spin while towing up a grade....2600 rpm is usually a pretty powerful spot in the power band.
Here are some pages from the manual...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Mine is the same way, 15* to 30* cooler if I can pull in OD depending on the load.
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Missouri
The only time I turn OD off is if my EGTs get high on a grade, which is the only time they get high. I'll hit the button and watch the EGTs drop as RPMs climb.
Other than that I've had no issues with letting the truck do what it wants.
Other than that I've had no issues with letting the truck do what it wants.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
indeed they are!
I had the cruise set at 65/70mph. It wasn't gear hunting at all, rand like I had no trailer at all. I did have my tuner set to 100hp which I know changes how the truck shifts.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 975
From: Walpole, MA
The bottom end torque on these engines let you run higher gears when towing vs a gasser.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, MI
I don't think TC lock in 3 gears If it supposed to be LOCK in 3 then I be run panic about 4R100 in my F350. It doesn't lock in 3 gear only 4th gear. Plus engine brake mine doesn't work
like you expect to see rpm stay 1500 when you off gas in 1-3 gears it back to idle. In 4 gear it Lock.I tow 23K twice. It prefer 4th since 3rd doesn't lock and it kinda hotter. I do touch transmission cooler everytime I stop.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert Az.
I only take it out when it hunts pulling grades otherwise I leave it set as if I was empty! Have never had a problem with the stock or John Woods trans running it that way! The ATS wouldn't even get to O/D half the time ...lol
Jim & fat Monty
Jim & fat Monty
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Morehead, Ky.
I pull a Fifth Wheel that weighs about 10,000 #. I always pull in O/D. I sometimes manually up shift it with the button, on a long pull as the RPM comes down. I have only had it to hunt a couple of times.
Just my .02
Just my .02