adragonfly said:
Thanks for the helpful info. I have used the O/D off button to pass on the freeway, which I think helps. My boyfriend thinks it's stupid and that I should just gas harder to speed up. I couldn't explain myself weel enough to him to make him understand that my car actually gets a quick kick when I shut the O/D off. That's just enough to get me in front of someone. At least I know that's really the case and not just a psychological thing. Thanks again!
There's nothing wrong with using OD to accelerate slowly on the highway. Basically what is happening that you are forcing the transmission to downshift to 3rd, bringing the RPM's up with the same amount of throttle pedal pressure. This WILL cause you accelerate, but not as much as simply flooring it in OD. When you go full throttle in overdrive at say 55MPH, your transmission will choose which gear can provide the most power relative to how much pedal you are applying. By flooring it, your engine would probably downshift to 2nd allowing for more acceleration/power... By hitting the OD button in the same situation, it would downshift to 3rd and accelerate slowly, until the transmission realized that you were trying to speed up, and then hit 2nd. It's just about the time it would take to pass. No OD button = quicker passing with 1 downshift, OD button = slower passing with 2 downshifts possible.
As far as using OD, like the other guys said, the only time I wouldn't use it would be when you are on hilly terrain (shifting in and out of OD alot), where you need more engine braking, and in heavy traffic at speeds around where shifting into OD usually occurs.
Anyways, I just figured I would throw this one out there. I have had a lot of experience with the 700R4 automatic in my truck with everything from shift kits, to torque converters, to recalibrating the valve body... I figured I would put my .02 cents in.
(Oh, and as far as your bf goes, he is just trying to help.
I do the same for my gf, even though she usually ignores it.
)
