O/D On or Off?
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Senior User
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O/D On or Off?
I'm sure it's been discussed before, but the search feature doesn't work for me. When do you turn the O/D off? I've heard so many storys on this. Some people say don't mess with it unless you're going to be going real slow like on a forest road for example. What do you all know? Thanks in advance...
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I shut mine off when towing my ATV trailer. Although it is an easy pulling trailer, when going up a slight hill it tends to downshift if I don't, and I know that constant downshifting is not good. That is usually my guide -- if your operation is causing it to downshift regularly, shut the OD off.
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Senior User
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That makes sense. What about when you tow a travel trailer or other trailer that's not close to capacity of the truck, say like my 2900lb boat; if you're going to be driving say 65+mph, on a freeway, wouldn't my engine be running at too high an rpm with the O/D off? Thanks.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
It depends how the truck reacts to it. Just as a precaution, I always turn it off when towing, or have a lot of weight in the bed. If you find it lagging, turn it off. If she pulls it like a champ, no worries.
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Matt,
You will not be over reving the motor,back in the 1970s we did not have overdrives and the speed limit was 70 mph. and we went all over.
Now in my boat I run 3000rpm all day and it is realy a 351W ford motor that mercruiser painted black.
So no you will not hert the motor.
Hope this helps
Russ
You will not be over reving the motor,back in the 1970s we did not have overdrives and the speed limit was 70 mph. and we went all over.
Now in my boat I run 3000rpm all day and it is realy a 351W ford motor that mercruiser painted black.
So no you will not hert the motor.
Hope this helps
Russ
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Senior User
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I agree with you that driving at more RPM's with a load won't hurt the engine. Does this affect anything with the transmission itself? Wonder if the tranmission runs hotter? Well, I guess there's more strain on the tranny if it constantly shifts in and out the high gear huh?
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Junior User
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I shut the OD off when:
I want a burst of speed (passing, off the line, etc . . .);
I'm towing something up a hill (and need more power);
I'm driving down a hill (towing or not, it's a good engine brake);
I'm stopping and don't want to use my brakes;
The roads are slippery.
I've always thought of OD as an extra gear . . .
I want a burst of speed (passing, off the line, etc . . .);
I'm towing something up a hill (and need more power);
I'm driving down a hill (towing or not, it's a good engine brake);
I'm stopping and don't want to use my brakes;
The roads are slippery.
I've always thought of OD as an extra gear . . .
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From: buckley WA
an over drive IS an extra gear. 4th gear is over drive. If your going slow on the trail, turning it off will do nothing. If your pulling a load, it will help the engine and tranny work less hard. if you want a burst of speed, mash the loud peddle. It will shift down for you. Go by what they say to do in the owners manual.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 521
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From: Southern New England
I know some vehicles have the feature to turn the OD on when necessary rather than off when not needed. I'm wondering if there is a way to have the OD off when the truck starts, because I drive most of the time around town and leave OD off.
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From: buckley WA
I know some vehicles have the feature to turn the OD on when necessary rather than off when not needed. I'm wondering if there is a way to have the OD off when the truck starts, because I drive most of the time around town and leave OD off.
__________________
why not leave it on? it's not hurting a thing driving around town. Let the auto be an auto
__________________
why not leave it on? it's not hurting a thing driving around town. Let the auto be an auto
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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I turn o/d off when driving in slippery conditions (i drive a lot of secluded, windy roads and don't want a downshift to break the tires loose unexpectedly), need engine braking, or the tranny is down shifting frequently when under a load. Otherwise I leave it on.
