I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander, 6 cyl., 2WD
2007-03-02 10:53:53 · 5 answers · asked by Mahwy1 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Overdrive means the driveshaft(s) is/are spinning faster than the engine. So, while your engine is turning 2,500 RPM, the driveshaft might be spinning at about 3,300 RPM. The advantage is at highway speeds, as with older vehicles the engine would have had to spin at 3,300 RPM, which would require more fuel and cause more wear on the engine. If you're towing anything with this vehicle at all, I'd leave it off. It's too hard on the transmission to tow in overdrive. Other than that, I'd leave it on. And if you're in real hilly areas where you can feel it shift in and out of overdrive, turn it off to save wear and tear on the transmission. If it's shifting that much, it'll get just as bad of fuel mileage, anyway.
2007-03-02 11:00:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jay S 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jay S's answer is the best I can see. Another condition to have overdrive off is on winding or curving roads where overdrive can engage in the straight aways and disengage in the curves. You will feel and hear it in the shifting of the transmission. This puts unneccessary wear on the engine and transmission. As well as increasing fuel costs.
2007-03-02 11:25:57 · answer #2 · answered by eks_spurt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Overdrive is an extra gear that your vehicle can use to get better mileage. I leave mine on all the time, since it comes on automatically. I rarely turn it off, unless I want to stay in a lower gear for a little while. But I wouldn't leave it off for long, if your engine sounds like it is reving too high. That wouldn't be good for the motor.
2007-03-02 10:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by merlin_steele 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Turning off the Overdrive keeps your car forced down 1 notch on the transmission.. giving your engine more force. It's good for going down a mountain where it aids your brakes, for example. Also for pulling a trailer with a boat, etc..
It decreases your gas mileage, though.. because your engine is working at a higher RPM.
.
2007-03-02 10:57:54 · answer #4 · answered by rob1963man 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read what the manual states. I see many vehicles having transmission failures because people are leaving the O/D button on during stop and go traffic. So the transmission is working overtime, therefore causing issues later on.
2007-03-02 13:38:16 · answer #5 · answered by A A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋