Overdrive and Sound

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Nov 10, 2015 | 03:17 PM

Catwood1703

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Overdrive and Sound

So on my new truck I have discovered an Overdrive button! So here is the thing.

My new to me truck is LOUD, usually at the height of the shift before it actually shifts. And I mean OMG turn down the volume loud without the ear bleeding and passing out. But to be fair it is a loudness you can get used to and ignore.

I have discovered when I turn the overdrive off my truck is so much quieter and I admit that I am loving the difference in the volume of noise in my truck. Not to mention my truck feels "lighter" on the acceleration.

But I got to googling (shame on me) and from what I've read I should always leave my overdrive on or my gas mileage will suffer?

I am currently driving primarily in city with the occasional trip on the interstate, usually during weekend.

Advice? Input? I like better gas mileage but I am not used to Loud vehicles at all.

And Ive posted a couple times, so I might as well put a picture of my new to me truck! '06 Ford F150 Flareside.

Nov 11, 2015 | 04:13 PM

Derrick Perez

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engine loud or aftermarket intake and exhaust loud?... and about the overdrive it really only kicks in when your going about 50mph and over.. its basically the highest gear and allows you to drive with lower rpms when going faster... it shouldnt be turning on if your just driving around the city or in stop and go... does it make it quiter even when driving slow or just on the highway? i would think taking overdrive off on the highway would make it louder since your rpms are higher...but disabling overdrive when driving around the city, in stop and go, or going uphill is fine..

Nov 12, 2015 | 11:06 AM

Catwood1703

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Well I am not too familiar with trucks to be honest, but I would say aftermarket loud. Here is a picture of the rear end and from looking at stock photos the dual exhaust is aftermarket. But the height of the sound does appear to come right before it shifts into another gear. But I say after market loud because listening to it yesterday it seems like it comes from behind, not the front. There is no shuddering, shimmying, vibration, missing and the shift is completely smooth. Just loud.

Nov 20, 2015 | 04:16 PM

Derrick Perez

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Yes it does look aftermarket to me. does it also have a cold air intake? and that makes sense that the peak of the noise would come right before a shift when its at high rpm, and you would hear it coming from the back where the muffler is. i have an 04 f150 with aftermarket cold air intake, and exhaust and its extremely loud and deep if your not use to it, especially since mine is a side exhaust so it comes out behind the back door.

Nov 21, 2015 | 08:55 PM

Catwood1703

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I don't know what that is. How would I go about finding out if my truck has it?

I have to say despite the noise I do love my truck. Before it I had only driven a truck maybe 7 times? and until I got it I drove a tiny Scion XD and the size difference is great! I drove the scion yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks and I felt way too close to the ground.

Nov 23, 2015 | 09:43 PM

Derrick Perez

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It replaces the stock air intake and is in the same place under the hood. A lot of people do that as the same time as a aftermarket exhaust because they support each other performance wise. A cold air intake is suppose to allow colder air to flow through more freely, colder air is denser and contains more oxygen. And the aftermarket exhaust should allow gases to exit quicker. Both of those things should allow the truck to breathe easier and free up some power.
And I know what you mean I like being up high above everyone, my truck is lifted 6 inches also. And yeah the noise can be loud but I seem to like the deeper loud exhaust..as well as usually listen to my music loud which helps. How long have you had the truck?