Ok, I'm brand new to, well, driving. I haven't been around a vehicle based family ever, so I could be brain dead, and still be in about the same place where I am now when it comes to engines.

Point is, my first car:

1998 Ford Ranger 4x4 Ext. XLT
4.0L V6 Automatic
Fully Loaded w/ 77,900 miles

My dad had a ranger back when I was in the first grade (9 years ago) I can only remember two things about it. The First being that it never broke down or had anyproblems. And the second was remembering seeing nothing but sky through the front window as we climbed a 40 degree slope. I vowed to own a Ranger.

Ok, now I have two questions, which probably won't be my last.

1) What does the overdrive do? I've turned it on and off and haven't noticed any difference. Will it change my gas mileage with having it on or off?

2) I've noticed that the transmission kicks a bit when shifting between 1st and 2nd gears. And maybe between 3rd and 4th. I've heard rumors on either ends of the spectrum that speculate the Ford Trans. so I don't know who to believe and being short on money, I'd rather not take it in unless its a really bad situation.

Any help would be great, and I just kinda stumbled across this site. Good to know I'm not the only person in the country that hugs my truck everymorning (before seeing the girlfriend of course). Being in Kansas, led me to believe that the world hated Ford. Hm...

-Fronk

 

Welcome to FTE!

Overdrive usually allows the tranny to go to the overdrive gear, which is usually a ratio lower than 4th gear (~1:1) like .75:1. I'm not sure of the exact gearing on the Ranger, as I have a manual. You really won't notice much of a difference from D to OD, as it really is just about 55 or so that it will get into 5th.

Can't help with #2.

-Jim

 

get going about 60 and push the overdrivebutton you should feel it shift down being that overdrive is the top of the tree. If you dash is equiped with a tach watch it when you hit the button it should gain rpm. Yes it usually will effect you fuel economy overdrive lets the engine run easier equaling less power needed equaling less fuel used. The hardness of shifting depends on a few factors, if the truck is used depending on how the previous owner drove and broke in the truck heck they might have done some serious offroading or towing. I tell you I've had quite a few automatics and none of them have shifted the same also you might think of having the transmission fluid and filter changed old fluid can gum up the valve body making it harder for the truck shift.

Hope this can help you