when should i use the over drive button in my car? and is it true the it saves gas?

Answer 1

Overdrive usually will save gas on the freeway.

Overdrive simply means that the output of the transmission is faster than the input of the engine.

High speed/low torque

Answer 2

i am a trained driving instructor, this is credible:

you should use the overdrive, so as in not push the button, any time you are driving under normal conditions. this does in fact save you gas. true.

when you should push the button, so as to take the overdrive off (this is the way it works on 90% of cars) is any time you are in need of extra torque (power) at higher speeds, OR when you want to have the engine help slow your descent slightly when travelling downhill. this saves your brakes.

example: you are driving on the highway and up comes an uphill section, the car wont know about the hill, and thus wont downshift until it is too late, wasting gas, you can push the button right as you get to the hill and preempt the automatic transmission. this will help you maintain speed and save gas.

other example: you are driving downhill and having to keep using the brakes to slow down, push the button and the car will downshift and you will not have to use the brakes quite so often, saving them for when you really need them.

Answer 3

Generally, 'Over-drive' is a final 'Top' gear in most
Vehicles, especially in 1/2 ton, & larger Trucks .
It is designed for "Open -Highway ", sort of allows trany to
relax at full R.P.M. Your should however remember to
'shift' or depress the button, back to Regular Drive position
when Climbing hills, then go back to O/ D. when on level
highway again . O/D, might save a small portion of gas.
But "Cruise- Control ' definitely saves a Larger amount of gas. "C/C " Designed for the "Open-Highway"
& Top R.P.M. will definetly save gas! it allows you to
'take your foot of the gas,( relax your foot ) & maintain a
Specific speed limit ! Preferably the legal limit,eh .

Answer 4

It should be used on long trips on the highway, anytime you are going above 55 without breaking and speeding up frequently is a good time to use this feature. Not all the time however-and Yes it does save on gas so long as you maintain speed.

Answer 5

The overdrive comes into play when you get to a higher speed,as suggested by the other answers.It locks up the torque converter into a larger,more fuel efficient gear.This is only basic as an answer.On hills and stop and go traffic,you will save nothing in regards to fuel economy.On trips on the highway,yes.

Answer 6

Yes it absolutely saves gas ( that's the whole point) and you should leave it on ALL THE TIME unless you are pulling a heavy trailer or the vehicle is really heavily loaded.

Answer 7

I'm sure your owners manual will tell you to always use it unless you are going down a mountain. it is just the highest gear in your automatic transmission and even in city driving it will not shift into it automatically unless you are going fast enough for it. but then when you excel or slow down it will automatically shift out of it even in city driving......so unless you are a hillbilly leave it on at all times......i do and i get 37 mpg in city

Answer 8

It saves gas on the highway. Drive with it off if you are accelerated frequently.

Answer 9

yes it saves gas, it lowers the rpm's of the motor. use it on the highway for sure. really no use for it in town because you never really rap the motor out to high rpm's driving in town.

Answer 10

You should keep it on at all times, if your car is automatic.