What is the use of the "Over Drive" button in an automatic car?

Answer 1

An overdrive gear is a gear with a numerical ratio of less that 1 to 1. This means that the gear spins faster than the gear driving it (hence, it is 'overdriven'). Some cars have more than one overdrive gear.

The benefit to overdrive is that it allows the engine to turn at a lower rpm at any given speed. This improves fuel economy and engine wear. However, overdrive gears do not provide the amount of mechanical advantage that lower gears do. This is why it you accelerate more slowly in high gears than you do low ones. This makes overdrive gears unsuitable for climbing hills, towing, or any other situation where the motor is placed under heavy load.

The overdrive button disables the overdrive gear. This is useful when climbing a hill, as otherwise the tranmission will 'hunt' or shift between the top gear and the one below it. Same goes for towing.

Answer 2

Have you ever driven up a fairly steep hill? The transmission will "seek", constantly upshifting then downshifting. When you press the OD button, the transmission is locked from shifting to overdrive, and will climb the hill smoothly. Don't forget to hit the OD button again when you get on level land.

Answer 3

It is best to use the "overdrive" option when traveling on interstates or highways where you normally keep a speed of 45 or above.

In Overdrive the engine to operates at lower rpm for the road speed. It is supposed to increase fuel efficiency.

It is best not to use it where there is a lot of hills.

Answer 4

It saves gas. It's like an extra gear. It allows your car to cruise at a higher rate of speed without burning all the gas.

Answer 5

I'm not sute but it has to do with driving long distances or over hills or something.

Answer 6

To turn on or turn off the overdrive. Simple.

Answer 7

at high speeds it causes less drag on motor

Answer 8

Good question.