Some people say you should use overdrive all the time for fuel efficiency, others say use it at speeds over 45mph. Still others say to use it (or maybe don't use it) when towing a load. What do you think?

3/3/2008 5:29:21 PM

are you driving an auto or manual?

3/3/2008 6:25:09 PM

Use it all the time, except when going uphill in the mountains or towing a heavy load.

3/3/2008 7:43:23 PM

This might be a stupid question, but does manual have overdrive? I thought the 6th gear acts like the overdrive on manual.

3/3/2008 9:03:22 PM

Like Kickstand said...Use it all the time unless you're struggling such as towing heavy loads or very steep terrain.

Usually the last gear in a manual transmission is an overdrive gear. Not always the case with older cars which is why you might see some of them listed as "4-speed with Overdrive" or something, but newer cars pretty much all have one afaik. Maybe someone can confirm.

3/3/2008 9:05:45 PM

i was under the impression over drive is whatever is after 1 to 1.

but ive never really cared that much to find out.

so who knows when it is. but yeah, i had a druck with over drive, we used it for hauling under a load.

[Edited on March 3, 2008 at 9:11 PM. Reason : in a stick shift car]

3/3/2008 9:10:15 PM

some cars have overdrive as a separate unit so high gear is actually 1:1 and then there is a separate external overdrive ratio that brings it to like .75:1

but the thing is that all your gear ratios down by 25%

[Edited on March 3, 2008 at 9:28 PM. Reason : .]

3/3/2008 9:27:58 PM

How about just drive a manual transmission.

3/3/2008 9:29:39 PM

asking when to use overdrive is like asking when to use 5th gear. All the damn time

Quote :

"over drive is whatever is after 1 to 1"

aka usually 5th gear in a 5MT or 6th gear in a 6MT. I think turning that overdrive off in your 4AT just basically put you in 3rd gear

[Edited on March 4, 2008 at 9:08 AM. Reason : ]

3/4/2008 9:06:40 AM

^that's always been my impression.

3/4/2008 9:21:33 AM

it's not complicated. like baonest said, any ratio less that 1:1 is overdrive. some vehicles have one, two, or even more od gears. most modern transmissions are computer controlled well enough you just put it in drive and go, even trucks towing heavier loads. at the most you just mash a tow/haul button.

however, it is beneficial to keep some older vehicles in 1:1 (usually 3rd) around town or when towing. the issue is cooling/lubrication. they're not smart enough to know when they're being hurt. newer autos are constantly adjusting line pressure, lockup, power input between shifts, etc.

3/4/2008 9:23:41 AM

I use overdrive when I'm racing my friends.

3/4/2008 9:59:02 AM

it's like turbo boosters.

3/4/2008 10:09:39 AM

The phrase, "kick it into overdrive" has always frustrated me.

3/6/2008 5:41:31 PM

In a lot of modern automatics it's on at all times, unless you manually turn it off. Oftentimes there's a button for that, either on the gear selector or somewhere on the dash labeled "O/D OFF" or similar.

3/7/2008 5:13:29 PM

REALLY?

thanks captain obvious

3/7/2008 5:36:01 PM

This thread makes me LOL. Not at everyone, just the silly ones.

3/7/2008 6:08:25 PM

srsly? even with an automatic?

Quote :

"Use it all the time, except when going uphill in the mountains or towing a heavy load."

3/10/2008 8:20:56 AM

is this for real?

3/10/2008 4:54:31 PM

yes

3/10/2008 4:54:52 PM

people are dumb

3/12/2008 6:32:14 PM

give him a break OD rules are exactly something you know from teh crib its something someone has to tell you. kinda like redlight means stop only makes sense after a hour of observation or someone tells you

3/12/2008 8:29:45 PM

I ODed all over some bitch today.

3/12/2008 9:29:55 PM

Quote :

"The phrase, "kick it into overdrive" has always frustrated me."

Yes.

3/13/2008 10:32:49 AM