Proper Use of Overdrive

gone · #1 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 07:06 PM

I am getting several different suggestions on the proper use of the overdrive.

On one hand people are telling me keep the car driving normal ... but when you need that special boost or extra power turn the overdrive off.

On the other hand people are telling me to turn the overdrive off for city driving and engage it only when I am on a freeway or other long stretch of road.

I am wondering how others use it and if there is a proper way to use the overdrive.

:: t h a n k s ::

Buzzard · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 07:15 PM

I turn mine on and forget about it. When it has a mind to kick in, it kicks in. I could see if you were pulling a trailer you might want to turn it off. ---Buzz

Cloud9 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 07:17 PM

I believe the conditions for kicking the transmission out of the overdrive mode is spelled out in your owners manual pretty well. Only take it out of overdrive on "special occassions" (for example, if you're climbing that long grade from Barstow to Vegas, or going over the grapevine) when the engine is struggling (aka "lugging") and/or if the transmission keeps shifting back and forth between 3rd and 4th gears. Most likely best used when pulling a trailer up a grade. It keeps the RPMs up. I would not recommend turning it off for city driving (unless you live in San Francisco, maybe). You guys with hitches..........how about it? When do you kick it out of overdrive? Only up grades when the engine is struggling/lugging, or are there other situations (4wd, etc.)?

basmith · #4 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 07:43 PM

My dealer told me that the proper way to use overdrive is to leave it off under 45 mph on on above 45 mph. He told me that 99% of people leave it on the whole time, but that this was the correct way.

Camille_corot · #5 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 08:17 PM

My Tundra is very sensitive to the gas pedal. It never seems to hold overdrive if I need a bit more "omph". And I'm talking light pedal application. That said, I use my od switch all the time to slow down, rather than use the brake. I read from the old Volkswagen book "Idiot's Guide", and developed a habit of driving like I don't have brakes. Thus using the od switch to control my deceleration works quite well.

When towing up a steep incline it's best to keep her out of od since "gear hunting" can develop a lot of heat in the tranny. Conversely when loaded and going downhill I let the engine control my descent rather than brakes by leaving od off. Saves on brake fade and early replacement of pads/shoes.

Otherwise, it's not called "automatic" for nothing. Stick it in gear and go!

CJ · #6 (**permalink**) 02-27-2002, 07:30 AM

Early model domestic cars with overdrive used to suggest that they be driven at speeds below 45 MPH with overdrive disabled. Since then, things have changed and the Toyota owner's manual reflects that.

For the most part, the only times to disconnect overdrive is to enable engine braking on a decline, and to prevent the tranny from going in and out of overdrive on hilly/mountainous roads.

CJ