Is overdrive always on?

[Brklyndriver]

If i understand correctly, overdrive holds third gear on automatics. When you press the O/D button on the shift knob the dashboard says O/D off. Does that mean that from the factory is comes with overdrive on? Unless u press the button to turn it off?

[edwardh1]

hl have 5 speed automatics

[Ryone]

Overdrive is on when the "O/D OFF" light is well... off. Overdrive is always on when you start your vehicle. It goes into "DRIVE" or "O/D OFF" when you push the button. The reason O/D is always on is to improve gas mileage. If the "O/D OFF" light isn't on, you're in overdrive. Get that

In the Tundras, "O/D OFF" locks it in 3rd gear, that's because we have a 4-speed auto. In the Highlander, I assume it locks it in 4th since yours is a 5-speed.

[Brklyndriver]

Originally Posted by Ryone

Overdrive is on when the "O/D OFF" light is well... off. Overdrive is always on when you start your vehicle. It goes into "DRIVE" or "O/D OFF" when you push the button. The reason O/D is always on is to improve gas mileage. If the "O/D OFF" light isn't on, you're in overdrive. Get that

In the Tundras, "O/D OFF" locks it in 3rd gear, that's because we have a 4-speed auto. In the Highlander, I assume it locks it in 4th since yours is a 5-speed.

Yes i understand your explanation, so with overdrive on i can't go into 5th gear, maybe this is why i can't go over 95?

[Ryone]

Originally Posted by Brklyndriver

Yes i understand your explanation, so with overdrive on i can't go into 5th gear, maybe this is why i can't go over 95?

No... with overdrive ON you go into 5th gear. 5th gear is essentially overdrive.

Just remember this...
- 5th gear is OVERDRIVE
- 4th gear is DRIVE (O/D OFF)

You can't go 95 mph probably because of a governor on the engine.

Ryan

[Brklyndriver]

Originally Posted by Ryone

No... with overdrive ON you go into 5th gear. 5th gear is essentially overdrive.

Just remember this...
- 5th gear is OVERDRIVE
- 4th gear is DRIVE (O/D OFF)

You can't go 95 mph probably because of a governor on the engine.

Ryan

So what happens if i try to go into 4th gear with the O/D button on?

[LX302]

OK, there seems to be a little bit of confusion. All of the posts are correct but Brklyndriver, you seem to be confused on the operation of the automatic transmission.
From your sig, I see you have a 2003. Am I correct in that you have the 4spd Auto?
If so, 4th gear is the overdrive gear. When you start out down the road with the button OFF, the tranny will shift from 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4th. (4th gear usually when you hit about 45mph). This is good for highway driving and fuel economy.
If your traveling around town in traffic, I'd hit the button after you start the car to "ON", which turns the "overdrive" function off . What this does is lock you out of 4th gear. The car will only shift up to 3rd. This will be better, since the transmission isn't always shifting in and out of the 4th gear, and adding additional wear to the bands within the transmission.
So the answer to your above question So what happens if i try to go into 4th gear with the O/D button on? The answer would be, you can't go into 4th with the button "on".
I'm not sure about the 95mph, but it could be the govener or the gearing of the trans.
Hope this helps.

[Brklyndriver]

tks for the help in understanding LX302

[LifeTech]

bit late on topic...2004 and later w/v6 have 5-speed .O/drive defalts to ON. Understand Toyota has published data indicating 4th and 5th speed are both Overdrive gear ratios. So O/drive Off would yield 3rd gear as the top gear ratio.