ProtegePrincess

Ok, i kno this might sound dumb, but i do not kno a lot about cars but i am trying to learn. When i drive normally do i want the O/D off or on? When do i want to use it and when do i not want to use it?? I am confused diff people have told me diff things. so what do i do?

ChargerGL

Overdrive is on a transmission in which the highest gear ratio is less than a one-to-one ratio. This means the drive shaft turns faster than the engine crankshaft. The overdrive feature saves fuel and because the engine runs slower, engine wear and noise are reduced. Unfortunately under some driving conditions the transmission will tend to shift more, which puts additional wear on the transmission.

The normal shift pattern with Overdrive on is:

D: 1, 2, 3, 4
2: 2
1: 1

With Overdrive off, the shift pattern becomes:

D: 1, 2, 3
2: 2
1: 1

So with overdrive off it becomes the absence of 4th gear

Under most driving conditions you want Overdrive on (light is off)

If you are doing a lot of driving under 45mph you can turn overdrive off (light is on)

I drive with Overdrive on almost all the time

hihoslva

Overdrive is exactly as described above - it's 4th gear in the auto tranny, and having it off makes your car a 3 speed.

For almost all driving, leave it on.

However, having the button IS a nice feature; I often use the button to pop it out of overdrive and kick down to third gear for highway passing - I find it less dramatic and easier than flooring the gas to get the kick-down. Like my little turbo boost button .

~HH

NegatiZE

Around town where the speed limit is ~45-50MPH, I turn it off sometimes for passing. The throttle response is much better and you get a better boost rather than having to wait for the tranny to unlock the torque converter, then downshift.

4 rubBeR

I would leave it on in most cases; more fuel efficient. I tend to tap it on and off when I encounter traffic on the highway. It stops the transmission from hunting at around 50 to 60 km. I like to keep the revs up to scoot around town so I "flip it off" : fairly often.

Everyone has a different way of driving their car, so try driving around town with it off and see what you think...I find it more responsive a ride...

~4 rubBeR

ProtegePrincess

Ok cool. I have been drivin with it off. But i was driving with my friend in the car and she was telling me how i only use that for the freeways or some ****. and how it uses more gas and is bad for the transmission. But now thanx to you guys i know that she is wrong and that i an not hurting my car.

Tom Slick

it used to be a common practice with domestic vehicles to turn OD off when in town, that would allow the engine to turn a few more rpms and get everything warmed up faster between short stops.
autos have come along way in the last few years and i don't think you need to follow that rule any more. the pro's transmission shifts at fairly high rpms anyway. unless i am going up or downhill i just put in D and forget about it.

NegatiZE

Around town, I still think you should leave it off when you need some power. I don't know if you all have driven the 1.6/auto but it's an absolute dog under 3K. Turning off the O/D fixes this problem!

JAC

That's what I did with my old Galant , it's the only time you have some "control" over the tranny, god I'm glad I got a 5speed .

tttP5

I drive stick but I sometimes drive my gfs auto...

when U are doing fast turns ie 45-50mph+ in a stick most people will normally shift to a lower gear... because engine revs higher = more torque = more pulling power = more stability in turn = less of u feeling thrown to the outside.

so when driving auto if I have to do a fast turn I usually make OD off so that it uses a lower gear to acheive same effect.

poktrokt

Less of u feeling thrown to the outside? That has more to do with speed than what gear you're in. I've got the sport mode auto which is really cool. flip ip over to manual mode and it feels like the torque converter is locked and egine braking is possible. Most of my driving is done in D but when I'm in the mood for fun, manual mode is the way to go. I live in Boston, traffic sucks. this tranny is the best of both worlds (had four man trans cars before).

Robdoggz

i drive wirth it turned off around town or when doing less than 50 and have to stop often traffic jam etc.. i feel with it off i can pick up speed much faster and when im coasting at say 35 and suddenly want to haul *** the response is there with od turned on it just doesnt seem as responsive. On highway i will leave it one till i get off or hit heavy traffic.