When I'm just running around town under 35 mph I just leave my o/d swith off. It just seems like the tranny wouldn't have to shift as much? I'm I wrong by doing this, should I just drive with it on? I just want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong, that will hurt the tranny. Anyone else do this?

Discuss.....Thank-you.

 

No issues - I do it all the time.

MGD

 

If you are very casually accelerating, having OD on or off shows or feels no different when I do it.

OD to me is there to allow the tranny to stay in gear longer when towing and accelerating with a heavy load. It automatically disengages at WOT.

 

No issues - I do it all the time also. When your tranny is cold, you'll get a little better gas mileage around town with OD off. In 3rd gear the tranny works like a direct drive, input shaft equals output shaft with no gears spinning. It's the most efficient way for it to operate. Your torque converter will lock in 3rd with OD off when you go faster than 30 mph.

The other thing is that with OD on, your trans will not shift into OD until your speed is above 40 anyhow. If your speed varies between 35 and 45, then you will reduce the shifting in and out of OD.

Keep in mind though that shifting in and out of OD is not a problem if the trans is not under load, so your not really doing much once every thing gets warmed up if your not pulling a trailer.

 

If your speed varies between 35 and 45, then you will reduce the shifting in and out of OD.

I didn't know that, appreciate it!

 

the only time I turn mine off is when I'm towing or coming down a steep grade. I dont think it needs to be messed with otherwise.

 

^^ Same here sort of. I also turn it off in 4x4 or low gears.

 

I know you are not suppose to tow in OD but does towing with OD off on highway/interstate make the tranny run warmer?

 

I turn mine off when Im going less than 45 to keep it from bogging the engine at 45mph with such low rpms

 

If you dont need to use, it will not hurt anything to have it off. Like the others have said, youll be fine. Might just prolong your overdrive band also. My overdrive went out in my trans at 191k

 

Your not supposed to accelerate with OD on when towing, but once your up to hwy speed, k see no reason why you can turn it on. That's what my dad does with our 35 ft 5th wheel and 7.3 PSD.

At hwy speeds, you want to have OD on, IMO. since the gear ratio is lower, you will be turning less RPMs than you would if you were still in 4th. At least that's the way I understand it...(I'm half asleep right now) :o

 

I also turn it off in town, mainly to keep it from bogging at the minimum speeds O/D can kick on. Im running bigger tires so that just exagerates it. When I tow I leave it off until I am up to speed on the freeway / highway and then I will go ahead and turn it on, BUT if Im towing heavy enough and keeps going in and out of overdrive (or even locking & unlocking the torque converter in OD) I will turn it off and let it rev if it needs to.

 

dumb question but my car when i turn it on automatically turns OD on..?
because when i press the OD button a light comes on that says Overdrive OFF.
so OD is what normally people drive with on already
then when i tow i should turn it off?

^^ new to trucks

 

Yes. You have to manually turn it off every time you start the truck.

 

OR ....

You can automate it ....



MGD