Overdrive vs Drive
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Bristol
Overdrive vs Drive
I have the 04 SCrew 4x4 and I am not sure when to use drive and when to use overdrive. Someone stated that you should use drive when towing and overdrive for every day use?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Norwood USA
I've always used the overdrive in every car I drive. I think in the early 90's with the Taurus's people would use Drive only because the shift to Overdrive came too soon. Supposedly with the new 5.4 the truck doesn't need to downshift while towing uphill but if you have the smaller engine then you may need to just use drive. I would say leave it in overdrive.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The reason you hear that you should tow in drive is because the truck has a greater tendency to downshift for every little upgrade when pulling a load. As long as it's not shifting between gears constantly, leave it in O/D, but pay attention to it. Frequent shifting between gears will ruin your tranny.
New User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
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From: bernalillo,nm
overdrive vs drive for better gas mileage
Hi. I just have a couple questions. I drive my truck in overdrive because it defaults to overdrive. My reasoning is if it was the otherway around it would default to drive! Now my dad told me that yes on the interstate (my route to work) at 65-70 miles per hour use overdrive but in congested areas (stop and go) use drive. Use drive when climbing a mountain or pulling a trailor or climbing and mountain while pulling a trailor! What is the best way to drive using overdrive and protecting my tranny AND getting the best gas mileage.
Also, is it true if you drive w/tailgate down you will get better gas mileage?
Thanks
Jackie
wraybabe@hotmail.com
Also, is it true if you drive w/tailgate down you will get better gas mileage?
Thanks
Jackie
wraybabe@hotmail.com
New User
Joined: May 2007
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Originally Posted by jackie wray
Hi. I just have a couple questions. I drive my truck in overdrive because it defaults to overdrive. My reasoning is if it was the otherway around it would default to drive! Now my dad told me that yes on the interstate (my route to work) at 65-70 miles per hour use overdrive but in congested areas (stop and go) use drive. Use drive when climbing a mountain or pulling a trailor or climbing and mountain while pulling a trailor! What is the best way to drive using overdrive and protecting my tranny AND getting the best gas mileage.
Also, is it true if you drive w/tailgate down you will get better gas mileage?
Thanks
Jackie
wraybabe@hotmail.com
Also, is it true if you drive w/tailgate down you will get better gas mileage?
Thanks
Jackie
wraybabe@hotmail.com
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 488
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According to the local tranny repair shop...NEVER start out in OD when towing!!! He said you can shift into OD after you are up to freeway speed..let off the gas shift into OD then go. If it shifts in and out often only use Drive. If you start out in OD when towing excessive heat is generated. My cousin towed a small pop-up with his 1994 F-250HD with the 460 and always towed in OD. After a hefty repair bill he won't do it again.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
So long as the tranny is not 'hunting' for the correct gear (4th or 5th), you can use overdrive. Read your Ford manual! Even when I had my '92 the manual said to use overdrive when towing....except in the hills/mountains, then lock it out. 'course in my new(er) '05 PSD you can not even make a selection to lock out overdrive. No switch.
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New User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2
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From: bernalillo,nm
thanks so much
wow, this club is great! I just signed-up today, asked my questions and got responses w/in an hour or so. thanks for your input - a big help to my unknowlegable (only had the truck a few months) brain!!!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
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From: Ketchikan, AK.
the biggest problem i ever heard of with the OD vs. Drive was for the early - late 90's dodge's.... and that was due to a bad gear ratio on the planetary gears. but now its not as bad. i guess it just depends a lot on how much you are towing, your driving style, and road conditions. for every day driving, i have never had a problem leaving the OD on. as for the tailgate up or down issue, i think mythbusters tested this one, and the result was that it was better to leave it up. when the air comes for over the cab, it will actually swirl at the rear of the bed, and then go towards the front, and push the vehicle.... this is easy to se... just put an empty plastic bottle in the back, and drive down the road... it will get pushed forward by the wind. i always leave mine up for one reason more than the rest.... that is to avoid the tailgate from bouncing when i go over bumps.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Originally Posted by irishammer
According to the local tranny repair shop...NEVER start out in OD when towing!!!
Heat is built when the tranny shifts. Too much shifting means too much heat. Too much heat ruins trannys.
New User
Joined: Apr 2007
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my truck wont kick into the last gear (overdrive) if the overdrive button is turned on. it jsut stared doing this. if the overdrive button is turned on, once it tries to shift into that last gear, its like it goes into neutral. if i turn the overdrive button OFF, it works fine, just runs on high RPM's.
does this mean my tranny is goin out?
does this mean my tranny is goin out?