I own a 92 Toyota Previa (van)...and I know it makes it easier on the van when Im going at a high speed (past 50mph) but I was wondering if anyone could explain it to me. is it bad to have on when going up and down hills? is it designed only for driving in flat areas? Do you have to turn it off when driving on streets?
thanks
2006-07-10 12:23:33 · 11 answers · asked by NARC 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Overdrive is exactly like 5th gear on a manual transmission. When you turn OD off, you are telling the car not to go into 5th gear but to stay in 4th gear or below. You are correct, you should turn OD off when going uphill. Also you might want to turn it off when you need a little extra "zip" like when merging freeways. But keep OD on normally for better fuel efficiency.
2006-07-10 12:29:37 · answer #1 · answered by timdog1210 2 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Overdrive on a vehicle is for making the engine work less. On all other gears, except the next to the overdrive gear, the engine is turning faster than the wheels. In overdrive, the wheels are turning faster than the engine. Its not really good on uphill climbs, but the less the engine works, the less gas the engine uses!
2006-07-10 12:31:51 · answer #2 · answered by blacksrt4acr 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When your transmission is in low gear, the engine crankshaft must make several revolutions in order for the driveshaft to make one revolution. As you shift up through the gears the ratio becomes smaller. In a typical transmission top gear gives you a ratio of 1:1. Overdrive means you have a gear where the engine crankshaft turns less than one revolution for each revolution of the driveshaft.
2006-07-10 12:32:15 · answer #3 · answered by Jay S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On most vehicles, overdrive is for additional speed to pass another vehicle or to get quickly up to speed when entering a limited-access highway. It is not intended for city driving, although if you're driving by an exploding building, you might want to use it.
It is usually accessed by pushing down hard on the gas pedal. If your car has a shift or switch for "overdrive" you should check the manual. It usually makes you LESS gas-efficient.
2006-07-10 12:31:15 · answer #4 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is a passing gear and a cruising gear. only us it if there is a load a vehicle where a trailer or boat requires more control. Overdrive should not be use in normal operating driving. it put a stain on transmission and suck op a lot a gas.
2006-07-10 12:32:00 · answer #5 · answered by jtonysclan 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Overdrive is not a gear. It is just the way the engine will run in case it is turned on. Overdrive makes the car run smoother and faster when accelerated.
2006-07-10 12:27:35 · answer #6 · answered by Maya 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you don't need to turn off the overdrive in a vehicle unless you want the car to shift down for a little more boost. it is just another gear for your vehicle to shift into.
2006-07-11 02:29:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not completly sure if this is right so see what other people say.
I always saw people using it when going up the grapevine in CA. A long incline where cars always overheated. I think if your going up in the hills, or puting extra work on the car in some way it helps it?
2006-07-10 12:30:23 · answer #8 · answered by Crystal Violet 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
For all of you reading all these really dumb answers, Jay S is the only one who has any clue whatsoever about what overdrive is. Nice job, Jay.
2006-07-10 16:07:27 · answer #9 · answered by Me again 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
overdrive is a gear on a car tha maximizes gas mileage
2006-07-10 12:25:15 · answer #10 · answered by cmjz1313 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋