overdrive button
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
overdrive button
ok so this little thing has been bothering me ever since i got my flareside. I have an e4od tranny. so it obviously has the button at the end of the gear shift to turn overdrive on and off. when you start it up and dont press the button the light that lights up the "off" on the gear doesnt light up. so that makes me think overdrive is on since off isnt lit up. but my dad said no that means over drive is off. which is right? ive never been able to truely figure this out. i dont have a tach so when im on the interstate i cant truely tell. but when i click it to light up off on the gear shift it feels like the truck is hitting higher rpms. help thanks...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
The tranny has the OD turned on, every time you start it. You press the button to turn it off, and the light comes on. Try turning the OD off, stopping the engine, and then restarting. The OD light should be off, and the tranny now has the OD on.
You should be able to feel it shift into OD under light acceleration and level street. This shift point is around 38-40 ish, depending on your gearing.
Good luck Frank
You should be able to feel it shift into OD under light acceleration and level street. This shift point is around 38-40 ish, depending on your gearing.
Good luck Frank
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
You nailed it....The default position when you start the truck is overdrive-on. If you hit the button, the "off" should light up and then the overdrive is off. At highway speeds, you should definitely feel the rpm's increase. I don't have a tach yet either, so I can not tell you the rpm's, but it should be noticeable.
So your dad thinks that when the overdrive "off" is lit...that means it's "on"?
So your dad thinks that when the overdrive "off" is lit...that means it's "on"?
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
You nailed it....The default position when you start the truck is overdrive-on. If you hit the button, the "off" should light up and then the overdrive is off. At highway speeds, you should definitely feel the rpm's increase. I don't have a tack yet either, so I can not tell you the rpm's, but it should be noticeable.
So your dad thinks that when the overdrive "off" is lit...that means it's "on"?
So your dad thinks that when the overdrive "off" is lit...that means it's "on"?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
idk i might have just misunderstood him i was pretty sure i was right for sure. idk. i dont like driving around town with od on. doesnt it hurt you around town at 45ish cruising speeds? and no wonder it felt like it was stronger with the od button lit up. it would be a little sluggish with od on.
My apologies to your dad for that last sentence. I just woke up..and was being smart.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
well the tranny is in good shape. i just think it needs a fluid and filter change. probably right. but its ok bout my dad. i understand. but ya know companies do wierd things. ya never know.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
its a good idea not to have your od on till you start going faster at a constant speed, ie 45 plus because if you have it on at 35 arround city driveing they your trans will shift in and out alot thus causeing your 4th gear to go out quicker
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Does anyone else find that their tranny drops in and out??
I'm just wondering.
Of course, I find that my vehicles have a way of adapting to my unique driving style...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 20
From: Nixa
I have a 92 F-150 flare side, with the 5.0, it doesn't have the OD button. My 93 F-250 has a 5.8 and it has the OD button. I only ever turn it off when I am towing or have a heavy load. Does only the 5.8 come with the over drive button? My friend's dad had a 32' motor home, I'm not sure what engine it had, but it had the OD button. He drove it all over the US and into Mexico and Canada, he never knew that the button was there, til I pointed it out to him. Obviously he never turned it off til then, and he never had any problems with it.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
I have a 92 F-150 flare side, with the 5.0, it doesn't have the OD button. My 93 F-250 has a 5.8 and it has the OD button. I only ever turn it off when I am towing or have a heavy load. Does only the 5.8 come with the over drive button? My friend's dad had a 32' motor home, I'm not sure what engine it had, but it had the OD button. He drove it all over the US and into Mexico and Canada, he never knew that the button was there, til I pointed it out to him. Obviously he never turned it off til then, and he never had any problems with it.
They were available in 92, not sure which trucks had them and why but I believe most of the 92-96 models have the E4OD.I am guessing the AOD transmission is what you have. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me.
If you check the label on the driver side door jamb, I believe it should be indicated there.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 973
Likes: 0
From: Gatineau, Quebec
Edit: Revised second statement.
I just check the manual since I quoted it....The first statement is as I stated it.
The second is not worded as I said, though I have read that in one of my manuals.
According to the manual I have in front of me(for a 93 F-150) turning off the overdrive eliminates the fourth gear, which "gives more engine braking and is useful for descending hills" which as many of you realize is better for towing.
Of course if you eliminate the 4th gear when towing, your transmission will not have to work as hard and this in turn will keep the temps down.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
for a little more confusion,my 95 5.0 flareside has the overdrive button and the 4r70w tranny. Not even sure why this truck has overdrive,with the stupid 3.07 gears in it,I don't think the engine would be turning anywhere near anything that would be considered high rpms even if the tires were stock size. I can cruise at 75 mph on the interstate and only be turning 2500 rpms with overdrive off!!