When to use Overdrive / Drive - first time automatic driver
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
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When to use Overdrive / Drive - first time automatic driver
Bronco is a 1986, 302 with auto transmission. This is my first automatic vehicle with manually selectable overdrive and I dont know when to use it vs. regular drive.
When is overdrive to be used? On highway at cruise speed or around town?
What is the difference between the two and what are the advantages of both?
Also, it's not ok to tow with overdrive, correct?
As always, any input appreciated!
When is overdrive to be used? On highway at cruise speed or around town?
What is the difference between the two and what are the advantages of both?
Also, it's not ok to tow with overdrive, correct?
As always, any input appreciated!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
Well, that's a great question.
Personally, I use overdrive only when at cruising speed on the highway. Otherwise it stays in drive. Also, I never tow in overdrive. It's horrible on a transmission to have to keep shifting between 3rd and od with a load on it (or in it's bed!!!) If I'm goin up a hill and the rpm's drop, I will give it more gas and if it bogs, I'll manually shift it. You can adjust the kickdown though so that it is more snappy and stays out of OD as much as possible. OD should only be used for cruising where the engine's power is not really needed. OD puts the tranny into a really high gear (.72:1 kinda like 5th in a 5speed manual.) Drive lets the tranny to advance to 3rd gear (1:1.) Drive will usually have better shifts and will keep the engine at it's workin rpm. OD like I said should only be used while cruisin.
Erik
Personally, I use overdrive only when at cruising speed on the highway. Otherwise it stays in drive. Also, I never tow in overdrive. It's horrible on a transmission to have to keep shifting between 3rd and od with a load on it (or in it's bed!!!) If I'm goin up a hill and the rpm's drop, I will give it more gas and if it bogs, I'll manually shift it. You can adjust the kickdown though so that it is more snappy and stays out of OD as much as possible. OD should only be used for cruising where the engine's power is not really needed. OD puts the tranny into a really high gear (.72:1 kinda like 5th in a 5speed manual.) Drive lets the tranny to advance to 3rd gear (1:1.) Drive will usually have better shifts and will keep the engine at it's workin rpm. OD like I said should only be used while cruisin.
Erik
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
You can usually use OD all the time except if you're towing a significant load. If you notice that the tranny is hunting gears, that's a sign that you want to turn off OD. With my Bronco, this can happen on some very steep uphills even without extra load.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
stay in drive till you reach 55 - 60 mph. this way your motor stays in its power range and will easier on both the tranny and motor. get above that an od should be used. be very very careful if you decide to adjust that tv cable. if its not done correctly you will toast that tranny very quickly. make sure you have a tranny cooler and keep the fluid topped and replace filter/fluid every 6months to a year.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 212
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An after market cooler is easy to install and will really cool down tranny temps dramaticly. I just disconnected my lines from the return and ran the return line through a cooler that I mounted in front of my radiator and right in the middle of the grille. Worked great.
Erik
Erik
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
I only use OD on the highway. Using OD will typically only result in harm to your transmission if you use it when towing, but I hate when the constant shifting in and out when driving around town. Sgt P and KB are right on the money about tranny coolers. The stock config using the radiator lines just does not do it. I read a post somewhere in here a while back on someone using both the radiator and a cooler, just sounds like too much of a hassle to me.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
I always use the OD. 24/7. Every time I drive. It is not hurting anything. The only time I turn it off is when going up an incline at highway speeds, with the cruise on, so the truck does not lose speed.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Louisville, KY
I'm with JBronco. I very rarely turn off my OD. (1995 Bronco EB 5.8 with tow package). Other then towing, when I turn it off, I've never noticed any gear hunting or any other tranny nasties that would make me want to take it out of OD. I'm not very aggressive with it, but I guess if I were going to pass someone I might turn it off real quick, but that never happens).
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
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From: North Dakota
I would not recommend using overdrive unless traveling highway speeds. It will shorten the life of your tranny. Using overdrive at low speeds will burn up the od band. Most any transmission tech will tell you the same. I have 4:10's with 31 inch tires and I still don't use o/d unless I am going over 60mph.
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Louisville, KY
That seems really strange since they don't make the OD button an "activate" switch but a "De-activate" switch. The cars I have owned with OD have all stated in the manual to leave it in OD unless you need to climb a steep grade, or are towing a trailer. That's what I have always gone by.
I'm not doubting you guys, I just find it strange that a feature is enabled by default when you are better off NOT using it most of the time.
I'm not doubting you guys, I just find it strange that a feature is enabled by default when you are better off NOT using it most of the time.
Last edited by RRobben; Feb 8, 2005 at 11:13 PM. Reason: Typo..
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: North Dakota
Originally Posted by RRobben
That seems really strange since they don't make the OD button an "activate" switch but a "De-activate" switch. The cars I have owned with OD have all stated in the manual to leave it in OD unless you need to climb a steep grade, or are towing a trailer. That's what I have always gone by.
I'm not doubting you guys, I just find it strange that a feature is enabled by default when you are better off NOT using it most of the time.
I'm not doubting you guys, I just find it strange that a feature is enabled by default when you are better off NOT using it most of the time.
P R N OD D 1. Note it does not say 3, it says D which stands for Drive even though it is 3rd gear. I am not sure how the E4OD works with the OD but I know it is not good to keep the AOD in at low speeds.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Also, remember that not everyone considers this. My brother drives a ranger with the e4od and he doesn't ever take it out of od, he never knew the button exsisted, and most people prolly never would. Imagine if it was an activate button, everyone would be driving around at 70mph turnin 3500 rpms.
Erik
Erik
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
well guys running the E4od are running the most expensive tranny to rebuild. I can rebuild my AOD 2 or 3 times before you could rebuild that E4OD. what your not understanding either is your causing your motor to also drive out of its power range which in turn makes it work hard as well. and anyone running even a 31" tire with stock gears should definatly not use OD unless you going 55+.
but to each his own.
but to each his own.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 234
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From: Mount Tremper, New York
i have a 91 with a AOD, and i use the overdrive button and the lower gears to slow down. i also use the od button to turn the od off on back roads, but i mostly just leave it on.....personally....i HATE the automatic tranny. i sold my f150 with a 5 speed, cause i needed a 4x4, and go the bronco....and im still looking for the shifter sometimes.