Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Anybody slow down with o/d button

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 10:18 PM
  #1  
wisdav1's Avatar
wisdav1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Smile Anybody slow down with o/d button

I use it all the time, when slowing down off the hwy.
using the engine compression,saves on brakes.
DAV
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 10:31 PM
  #2  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,817
Club FTE Gold Member
Brakes are cheap compared to a tranny. Not sure you are hurting the trans, but you could just cut the throttle 500 feet earlier and accomplish much the same thing.....
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 11:09 PM
  #3  
montanafordman's Avatar
montanafordman
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, ID
My commute home from the airport goes down a steep hill with a 60 mph speed limit on the interstate that is strictly enforced - I use it from time to time to stay at 60 or below as I'm coasting down to my off ramp at the bottom of the hill. I also shift into 2nd from time to time going down another long steep hill on my way to the airport, I see people in front of me that ride the brakes the entire way down - I see using the tranny to keep the speed down while coasting the better bet - because brakes do get pricey when you add in warped rotors, pads and all the rest heating them up that much.
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 11:46 PM
  #4  
ATC Crazy's Avatar
ATC Crazy
Hotshot
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,347
Likes: 4,375
From: SW VA
Overdrive? What's that? I've only used mine 2-3 times in the past 2 years. 33" tires and 3.55 gears makes it nearly impossible to pull OD with a 4.6L

Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Brakes are cheap compared to a tranny. Not sure you are hurting the trans, but you could just cut the throttle 500 feet earlier and accomplish much the same thing.....
Nope...not hurting a thing. I constantly shift from D to 2nd everyday to save wear and tear on the brakes on these hills around here. A couple of my friends pick on me, saying that I should have bought a 5-speed in the first place
 
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2007 | 11:55 PM
  #5  
montanafordman's Avatar
montanafordman
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, ID
Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
A couple of my friends pick on me, saying that I should have bought a 5-speed in the first place
Haha, Yeah I drove my dads manual 83 F150 all through high school and loved it I also have a "nearly" bomb proof 65 F250 that I've had a lot of fun with (manual trans) - and thought that was was the only way to go. I ended up with an automatic in my 98 and my dad and grandad convinced me I'd like that better anyway and they were right. Looking at the tow capacity of the mazda 5 speed only reinforces it. Granted I love to feel like I"m really driving with a manual, but who's kidding? its not like I'm driving a big rig - and I've pulled a 60' cultivator plowing fields in a massive 4x4 tractor that had an auto trans. Its nice at times to not be shifting constantly too. HOWEVER - there goes the pickup line... WHOOPS! thats not the gear shifter!!
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 12:07 AM
  #6  
ATC Crazy's Avatar
ATC Crazy
Hotshot
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,347
Likes: 4,375
From: SW VA
Originally Posted by montanafordman
Haha, Yeah I drove my dads manual 83 F150 all through high school and loved it I also have a "nearly" bomb proof 65 F250 that I've had a lot of fun with (manual trans) - and thought that was was the only way to go. I ended up with an automatic in my 98 and my dad and grandad convinced me I'd like that better anyway and they were right. Looking at the tow capacity of the mazda 5 speed only reinforces it. Granted I love to feel like I"m really driving with a manual, but who's kidding? its not like I'm driving a big rig - and I've pulled a 60' cultivator plowing fields in a massive 4x4 tractor that had an auto trans. Its nice at times to not be shifting constantly too. HOWEVER - there goes the pickup line... WHOOPS! thats not the gear shifter!!
I agree...but at least my truck still has a shifter on the floor (T-case)
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 12:13 AM
  #7  
montanafordman's Avatar
montanafordman
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, ID
Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
I agree...but at least my truck still has a shifter on the floor (T-case)
Ditto!
 
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2007 | 01:21 PM
  #8  
BLK94F150's Avatar
BLK94F150
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
I also at least have a floor shifted T-case. It's about the only thing that hasn't given me trouble.

I use the OD off button to down shift all the time, especially when going down steep hills with a load on. The loads I carry sometimes carry me into the 3/4 ton territory and I use the tranny like a manual when I'm slowing down.

I go from OD---> OD off---> 2nd---> 1st. Sometimes I bearly have to use the breaks.

Mike
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:56 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE