I just recently bought a 05F150 and was wondering what the overdrive is for? I have heard multiple things of what it is? I have a 22 foot boat and was wondering if you use it to tow or what. If some one could inform me of what this feature does that would be great thank you to all.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the transmission's highest gear establishes a 1:1 ratio between the engine and the driveshaft. When in overdrive, the ratio changes so that the ratio is something less than 1:1, in other words, one revolution of the crankshaft produces more than one revolution of the driveshaft. This improve fuel economy, but reduces driveshaft power.

As far as towing in overdrive, I've seen different opinions on that subject here. If you have the original manuals, there should be a towing guide amongst them.

Hope this helps,

Chris

 

As far as towing in overdrive
I would not use overdrive for towing anything heavy. A boat is heavy. In most Auto transmissions the overdrive clutch packs are weak. the OD clutch packs are not the same as clutch packs for the other gears. Using overdrive while towing can cause premature trans failure.

 

On a manual transmission overdrive will give you more than one revolution at the drive shaft per crankshaft revolution, resulting in better gas mileage and poorer passing performance. On an automatic transmission overdrive is constantly hunting for the most efficient gear, in order to provide better efficiency however, when you stomp on the gas it will momentarily jump to the best passing gear for performance. I tow a 28ft boat, between 9 to 10Klbs, and I disengage overdrive when towing. The engine will rev higher, you'll suck up more gas, and your towing performance will be better. Additionally, I have heard that towing with OD engaged will damage your clutch pack because the tranny tries to shift into a gear that is too tall for the load.

 

so I have a stering colum shifter and the button for the overdrive is on the end of the shift so while im towing push that button and turn it off and the o/d light will trun on and that means it is off correct. I want that light lit while i am towing?

 

My 2003 F150 Auto had a column shft with a button on the end of the lever off was when the light was on.

My 2008 has the shifter in the center console and when I push that button the light comes on the dash.
O/D off

If your not sure drive and test the feel of trans

 

When you press the button the light on the handle will be lit and your dash should light up O/D off. You will notice that the engine will rev higher than when o/d is engaged. When you turn the truck on, it will automatically default to O/D on, and all O/D lights will be off.

 

so then if the o/d off button isnt for towing then what is it used for??????

 

Fuel economy when not towing. There is no fuel economy if you tow!

Slower driving less fuel. faster driving more fuel. In Drive (Automatic)
Final gear 4th or 5th (manual trans)
Example: automatic trans in drive. at 55 mph engine rpms are lower than the same car in drive at 80 mph thus the fuel needed is less to keep the truck going 55 mph than it is to keep the truck going 80 mph
note: there are other factors that come into play. I am specifically talking O/D which afects rpm

Do you have a tach?
Go on the freeway (not heavy traffic) set your cruise at 60 - 65 mph check out the rpms then push the o/d button and try for a minute or two with the o/d off. See the rpm difference! Fuel economy. the higher the rpm the more gas is used.

No tach! do the same as above: but with the radio off. pay attention to the engine noise. should rev higher (more noise) w-o/d off, may even feel a little more vibration.

I hope this helps.

 

I believe Dodge uses the term towing for the O/D off button not O/D off
this was the 09 I test drove before buying my F150