What exactly is OVERDRIVE on some cars?

Question

What does it do?

Answer 1

Overdrive is a gear ratio that results in the driven gear turning faster than the drive gear -hence, it is 'overdriven' Numerically, it has a gear ratio of less than 1:1. here's an example of some typical gear ratios in a transmission:

1st - 5.3:1
2nd - 3.7:1
3rd - 2.1:1
4th - 1:1
5th - .78:1

In this example, the fifth gear is an overdrive gear. Overdrive gears are used to reduce engine speed while cruising, usually at highway speeds. This improves fuel economy and reduces engine wear. Some six-speeds have more than one overdrive gear, The Corvette is an example -both fifth and sixth gear have ratios lower than 1:1.

Answer 2

It depends on the function of the button. Some buttons turn the overdrive off, and some turn the overdrive on. Overdrive allows the car to move faster while the engine does less work whic provides better gas mileage. So anytime you drive is a good time to use overdrive with a few exceptions. Overdrive should be turned off if you are carrying heavy loads, driving hilly areas, towing something, or any combination of the three. When if overdrive, the engine can't deliver the power needed to do the job and in trying to do so will destroy your transmission. Find out whether the button turns the overdrive on or off and drive with it accordingly.

Answer 3

Overdrive can refer to two different things.

An overdrive is a device which was commonly used on rear-wheel drive automobiles to allow the choice of an extra-high overall gear ratio for high speed cruising, thus saving fuel, at the cost of less torque.

It also refers to a combination of gearing inside a transmission or transaxle which results in the output speed being greater than the input speed. In the latter case, "overdrive" does not refer to a physically separate identifiable part/assembly.

Answer 4

a top gear that is higher than 1:1. Originally overdrives were only provided as optional units bolted onto the original gearbox, and often employing epicyclic gears. The term is now also applied to the top (usually 5th) gear ratio in the main gearbox when it is higher than 1:1.

Answer 5

Overdrive is a gear above your normal gearing in your transmission. It is a higher gear used for freeway driving so you can get better fuel milage by lowering your rpm's.

Answer 6

accelerate quicker

Answer 7

who nos!