when are you supposed to use overdrive in automatic cars?
2006-09-29 21:31:20 · 6 answers · asked by fzee 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Always unless towing or climbing mountains. Normal tailshaft output ratio of a trans. is 1:1 with engine. Overdrive engages a sun gear and several planetaries that change this ratio to around 1.5:1 (tran:eng). The planetaries and sun gear have more stress against them than a standard drive gear, plus the design is one of reduced strength (the tailshaft ones are strong) so they can't take abuse. The 4L80 had a tailshaft OD and before that, the old Studebakers had a 3 spd standard with a tailshaft OD. Very strong. Hope this helps explain everything. Good luck.
2006-09-30 02:08:32 · answer #1 · answered by jeff s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Overdrive is meant to be used when travelling above 55mph. This allows the engine to lower its RPM to save gas at highway speeds. Also, if your a towing or hauling, don't use overdrive because it could tear up your transmission and/or engine.
2006-09-30 04:40:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the above answers are good....I turn mine off while driving in town and on mountain or winding roads no matter what speed I'm traveling
2006-09-30 10:11:11 · answer #3 · answered by borgesdon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whenever you are not towing or carrying a heavy load
2006-09-30 05:24:50 · answer #4 · answered by want2wild 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just leave it on
turn it off when you need a lower gear to tow or for torque
2006-09-30 04:40:13 · answer #5 · answered by buddhaboy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question!!!! I want to know, too. :)
2006-09-30 04:39:42 · answer #6 · answered by Living the Alaskan life 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋