To D or to OD...that is the question.
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
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To D or to OD...that is the question.
I just got the tranny rebuilt on my trusty 1990 Ranger, and I'm ready for years of more motoring pleasure.
I have a question that has puzzled me for quite some time.....
(My Ranger is my first truck.)
I commute 17 miles to and from work each evening on the gentle rolling hills of rural Missouri, on a well-paved state highway.
I noticed that if I put my gear into Overdrive, the truck seems to run with less effort, and the RPM readings is much less than when in regular "Drive" position.
Pardon my ignorance, but would it hurt anything if I ran most of my commute in OD instead of Drive?
Seems to me like it would ne less taxing on my engine.
Thanks,
Skip
I have a question that has puzzled me for quite some time.....
(My Ranger is my first truck.)
I commute 17 miles to and from work each evening on the gentle rolling hills of rural Missouri, on a well-paved state highway.
I noticed that if I put my gear into Overdrive, the truck seems to run with less effort, and the RPM readings is much less than when in regular "Drive" position.
Pardon my ignorance, but would it hurt anything if I ran most of my commute in OD instead of Drive?
Seems to me like it would ne less taxing on my engine.
Thanks,
Skip
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
You should leave OD engaged at all times unless you are hauling a well loaded trailer up a mountain pass or the tranny is "hunting" between 3-4 excessively. Gas mileage is better in the top gear too, as is engine longevity.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Apr 9, 2006 at 02:38 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,651
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From: Maine
My truck doesn't have an automatic transmission, but my mother used to have an Explorer, which I believe has the same trans as a 1990 Ranger. She always used overdrive, unless it was snowing out. When I drove it, I always would also pull it out of overdrive if it was hunting between 3 and 4 going up a hill (this would often happen at about 55).
Long story short, you should put it in overdrive all the time unless conditions dictate otherwise.
Long story short, you should put it in overdrive all the time unless conditions dictate otherwise.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Ask the tranny shop what's the best gear to be in while driving. I live on a hill. I don't drive on the highway. My 2.9L '90 Ranger 4x4 is the second car. I drive in "D". (I think the previous owner may have put a converter in the truck because when I floor it, the tach goes to about 2500 rpm before the truck moves).
