Overdrive or not

[NLEX]

I recently bought an '04 Escape. I've never driven a vehicle with overdrive before, How do I use overdrive economically, without using too much gas?

when do I use the overdrive

[imperialv]

Eto ibig sabihin ng overdrive

An overdrive (OD) is a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise, and lower wear.

Hayaan mo lang siyang ON always.. Yung iba kasi akala nila kapag overdrive, parang turbo so pinapatay nila.. :D

[viper888]

only turn of overdrive when towing or carrying massive loads

It only actually works on the highway

[NLEX]

ok sir no need to off the OD thanks ,

[shadow]

Just think about it like your 5th gear...pag naka off hinde mag engage yun 5th gear...


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[Lin Dan]

Guys,

I just read from an article "Car from Japan". It's about The Effective Ways To Use The Overdrive In Automatic Car.

In one paragraph it says and I quote:

"When you’re speeding up

It’s the textbook condition for using the overdrive in automatic car. When you drive at more than 60mph (50mph in case of older vehicles), the RPM increases and the engine starts taking more and more strain. Turning on the OD will work like magic to take the pressure away from the engine and bring down the RPM.

However, don’t use it when you are speeding at less than 50mph or during city driving because the speed tends to be inconsistent there. The OD prolongs the life of your car’s engine and drivetrain only if you apply it wisely."

50mph is around 80kph. So it says that driving below 80kph, OD should be switched off?

Please share your precious thoughts.

[oj88]

Depending on the vehicle, turning OFF O/D in city driving can save fuel.

I have observed that if I use D3 (instead of D) in the city under moderate to heavy traffic, it keeps the lock-up clutch engaged even if I lift my foot off the gas pedal while the vehicle is coasting. This mechanism help saves fuel by cutting off fuel to the injectors while the vehicle's momentum keeps the engine running.

Leaving O/D ON will prevent this from happening, as the vehicle will shift to the higher gear. Fuel will still be fed to the engine to let it run at idle. You also end up stepping on the brake pedal more.

[Lin Dan]

Depending on the vehicle, turning OFF O/D in city driving can save fuel.

I have observed that if I use D3 (instead of D) in the city under moderate to heavy traffic, it keeps the lock-up clutch engaged even if I lift my foot off the gas pedal while the vehicle is coasting. This mechanism help saves fuel by cutting off fuel to the injectors while the vehicle's momentum keeps the engine running.

Leaving O/D ON will prevent this from happening, as the vehicle will shift to the higher gear. Fuel will still be fed to the engine to let it run at idle. You also end up stepping on the brake pedal more.

Thanks good buddy for the info.

Nasa Ford thread pala ako hehe. Repost ko na lang sa right thread.

[Walter]

it keeps the lock-up clutch engaged even if I lift my foot off the gas pedal while the vehicle is coasting. This mechanism help saves fuel by cutting off fuel to the injectors while the vehicle's momentum keeps the engine running.

Most modern vehicles will cut-off fuel when accelerator pedal is not pressed ... regardless of the transmission settings / status ... that is why coasting in neutral actual consume more fuel in modern vehicles ...

[blackmoon06]

When shifting from D to 2 do i have to put off my OD? Thanks po mga bro/sis sa sasagot.

Most modern vehicles will cut-off fuel when accelerator pedal is not pressed ... regardless of the transmission settings / status ... that is why coasting in neutral actual consume more fuel in modern vehicles ...

[oj88]

Most modern vehicles will cut-off fuel when accelerator pedal is not pressed ... regardless of the transmission settings / status ... that is why coasting in neutral actual consume more fuel in modern vehicles ...

It's not a universal feature available in D. Different manufacturers, models, generations, price point etc., have different nuances in shift behavior and programming/intelligence.

Most A/T will just free-wheel (one-way clutch) or shift to the highest gear when the gas pedal is released while the vehicle is at speed with the O/D turned ON (one way or another). This prevents the vehicle from losing momentum while cruising on a highway due to engine braking. With the engine effectively de-coupled from the transmission, fuel is still required to keep the engine running at idle or high idle.

The engine brake effect is actually much preferred on slower roads (ie. City or in less than ideal traffic) for the reasons I already presented. But mainly, typical city driving prevents most vehicles from going faster than 60-80kph before the next traffic stop or bottle neck is reached. With the lock-up clutch still engaged (O/D off), it affords some level of engine braking as soon as you release the gas pedal. The vehicle momentum keeps the engine running while the resulting engine drag makes for less wear on the brakes.

In fairness to your position on this, there are vehicles that may have other sensors or intelligence to detect uphill and downhill driving and adjusts the A/T behavior accordingly without driver intervention. But again, this is not a universal feature and it is still best to follow manufacturer recommendations.

From the Honda user manual, they have this to say:

D3 - This position is similar to D, except only the first three gears are selected. Use D3 when towing a trailer in hilly terrain, or to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill. D3 can also keep the transmission from cycling between third, fourth, and fifth gears in stop-and-go driving.