overdrive
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 30
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From: K.C.
overdrive
My truck is a 2004 XLT Scab 5.4 in Arizona Beige. The salesman said to leave the overdrive on all the time unless hauling a load. My mechanic says its best to only use it on the highway or it will be hard on my transmission. What do you all do?
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 22
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From: Keller, TX
Find a mechanic that works on vehicles from this decade. Overdrives have not been that susceptible to wear since mid 90's. In fact you would probably generate excessive wear on your truck from forgetting to hit the o/d button once you got it up to highway speeds.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lancaster County PA
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Madison, WI
Automatics are just that....automatic.
Don't worry about shifting up/down or engaging or disengaging overdrive unless you have a specific reason to do so.
Having your transmission "hunt" back and forth between gears is not going to hurt it. That is what it is made for.
The higher engine RPM will probably do more damage to your truck than leaving the overdrive on all the time..
MK
Don't worry about shifting up/down or engaging or disengaging overdrive unless you have a specific reason to do so.
Having your transmission "hunt" back and forth between gears is not going to hurt it. That is what it is made for.
The higher engine RPM will probably do more damage to your truck than leaving the overdrive on all the time..
MK
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Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Originally Posted by ATCS2004
Shutting off in hills/mountains will help you save your brakes.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
As for the original question, you can leave the overdrive on all the time, unless you are towing a load. The additional rpms netted by having the OD locked out will provide for a much easier towing experience at highway speeds. If you leave the OD on, while towing a substantial load (or up/down serious grades), you will be working the torque convertor and other tranny components much harder than they need to be.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Originally Posted by WheelMA1
Bad idea. I would much rather have to replace brake pads than an automatic tranny. Think about why your truck slows down when you have the OD locked out. Yes, engine braking is one. The transmission and other driveline components are forced to endure the torsional forces of forced decelleration. This WILL lead to a shortened transmission life.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Hi,
I disengage the overdrive , when I have the truck in 4 high , in the snow or on icy roads , because the vehicle does not require the extra power, at speeds of 50k or lower, the manual says that it is fine to engage and disengage the overdrive when required , that this is fine or good for the tranny too brake away from overdrive when needed.
I disengage the overdrive , when I have the truck in 4 high , in the snow or on icy roads , because the vehicle does not require the extra power, at speeds of 50k or lower, the manual says that it is fine to engage and disengage the overdrive when required , that this is fine or good for the tranny too brake away from overdrive when needed.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 163
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From: South ALABAMA
I'm not trying to be a smart a#$, but what does ford consider a heavy load. When I pull my 4 wheeler I leave the thing in O.D. . When I pull something I run the same speed as I would with the thing empty. Unless I pull my tractor or something real heavy, an that's only because the truck doesn't stop that heavy weight real fast. I don't realy think that gearing your ride down is to bad unless you go from say fourth to first.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 32
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From: Alabama
i like the way my truck drives with OD off. the response is better, it's gear selection and shift points are better and i don't have that shudder/hesitation deal when it shifts from OD-3 when going up a hill at 35-40 mph. that bothers me, i wonder if there is a fix for that or just a characteristic of the drivetrain these things have?
