Is taking OD off all the time OK?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: WV
Is taking OD off all the time OK?
My father instilled it in my head to take OD off (and I do) unless I hit the freeway or interstate. I was told it prolongs transmission life by not always jumping between OD and and hi gear at slower speeds. I also use it for keeping speed down while traveling downhill.
Is it good to take it off or should I just leave it alone most times?
Is it good to take it off or should I just leave it alone most times?
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
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From: Columbus
Well how long are you planning to have it?? I bet that would help only if you are planning to have it for 300,000+ it would be the only benefit... otherwise you are losing some major gas mileage...
Just my .02
Just my .02
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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Your Father must have had a late 50's automobile with what they called then "overdrive". that style of "overdrive" was strictly for highway speeds.
The only time you might want to switch off your overdrive is for towing or in a 4wd situation.
Ford paid an army of designers and engineers to produce the trucks we enjoy today and I think they did an excellent job........... no need to second guess them.
my 2 cents,
Bob the Fool
The only time you might want to switch off your overdrive is for towing or in a 4wd situation.
Ford paid an army of designers and engineers to produce the trucks we enjoy today and I think they did an excellent job........... no need to second guess them.
my 2 cents,
Bob the Fool
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 444
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From: Iowa
The "overdrive" in todays transmissions is just another gear that provides better fuel economy at cruising speeds. There is no reason to turn off your OD unless you are driving in mountains or towing. Will it hurt anything? Probly not, but youre not preventing any wear.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automa...nsmission8.htm
Your father probably learned that back in the day when transmissions didn't have the overdrive gear built-in, it was an auxiliary gear separate from the transmission that could be engaged or disengaged. However, automatics since 1981 have OD gear built in. I apologize in advance for a wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_%28mechanics%29
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automa...nsmission8.htm
Your father probably learned that back in the day when transmissions didn't have the overdrive gear built-in, it was an auxiliary gear separate from the transmission that could be engaged or disengaged. However, automatics since 1981 have OD gear built in. I apologize in advance for a wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_%28mechanics%29
Moderator (Ret.)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 9,460
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Show your father the owners manual for your truck, and what it states for using the overdrive. It was written by Ford. I'd follow it's instructions over my dad's, even though I care about his opinion!
You do have an owners manual, right?
You do have an owners manual, right?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: WV
Thanks for the technical explanation fool and keeblerz. I downloaded the 07 owners book .pdf and it says this:
I do live in mountain, hilly terrain.
The transmission control indicator
(TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive (not shown)
Drive is activated when the transmission control switch is pressed.
• This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
• O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
• Provides engine braking.
• Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
• To return to O/D (Overdrive), press the transmission control switch.
The O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
• O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
(TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive (not shown)
Drive is activated when the transmission control switch is pressed.
• This position allows for all forward gears except overdrive.
• O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
• Provides engine braking.
• Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer
towing and when engine braking is required.
• To return to O/D (Overdrive), press the transmission control switch.
The O/D OFF lamp will not be illuminated.
• O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off.
Justin
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,758
Likes: 8
From: Denver, CO
Living in CO, practically mountains and hills all around, I only turn O/D off when the following occurs:
- Really bad weather and prefer the engine brake
- Towing around here
- When 4WD is engaged (usually in bad weather or off-roading)