Overdrive

[Gipper76]

What the hell is the overdrive button for? When I use it all it seems to do is give me a little bit better acceleration? Is there a use for it or what? Can someone explain?

 

[80sGuy]

What the hell is the overdrive button for? When I use it all it seems to do is give me a little bit better acceleration? Is there a use for it or what? Can someone explain?

To rev low and to save gas.

 

[Chawk]

exactly what he said except i use it on my 97 alti when i am sitting in traffic and I want a little bit extra pep w/out being so hard on the tranny. I use it all the time when cruising around 45 and under on my 97 altima. my 2000 protege is a manual so i dont have that button.

 

[red95_240sx]

it doesnt help on accelerating from the line. it turns 4th gear on or off...good for rushing through town.

 

[jeg0024]

It turns overdrive off...go cruise down the highway with it in OD and then push the button, you will get kicked out of OD and will be in D. Notice how the shifter goes 1...2...D? Well with the OD off you will only have those 3 gears. I use it when I take it to the track, put it in first and take OD off. Go up through the gears just like you would in a manual but instead of shifting into 4th you just push the button.

 

[jeg0024]

To rev low and to save gas.

Thats with OD on, like it should be. The only reason why you would cruise with OD off would be if you were towing somthing heavy, which I wouldnt recomend anyways.

 

[jomoyo069]

It turns overdrive off...go cruise down the highway with it in OD and then push the button, you will get kicked out of OD and will be in D. Notice how the shifter goes 1...2...D? Well with the OD off you will only have those 3 gears. I use it when I take it to the track, put it in first and take OD off. Go up through the gears just like you would in a manual but instead of shifting into 4th you just push the button.

does this really work?.. does it hurt the tranny?

 

[red95_240sx]

yep...nope. just high revving

 

[Andrewsmc]

Thats with OD on, like it should be. The only reason why you would cruise with OD off would be if you were towing somthing heavy, which I wouldnt recomend anyways.

(mswerd) (mswerd) the real reason it is there.

 

[jeg0024]

yep...nope. just high revving

Meaning im correct right?

 

[jeg0024]

(mswerd) (mswerd) the real reason it is there.

Well I know thats why its there on trucks and stuff, but on our cars? I just like having control of all my gears even in a auto. Some auto's you cant chose not to go past 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Most autos wont let you stay in just first but wont have an OD button.

 

[Dino1956]

Well I know thats why its there on trucks and stuff, but on our cars? I just like having control of all my gears even in a auto. Some auto's you cant chose not to go past 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Most autos wont let you stay in just first but wont have an OD button.

So as I'm understanding it's for Bumper to Bumper Traffic & not for Passing. Is this correct ?

 

[patsfan4life]

yes. if you want to pass, and you are in OD, when you switch it off, its like dowshifting to pass, only more ghetto cause its an auto!

 

[red95_240sx]

theres more info about it in the owner's manual

 

[Dino1956]

thanks guys.

 

[Olestra]

When you're passing and give it enough gas, the car will downshift out of OD for you anyways.
In OD, you should still be getting decent power.

Another use for OD off could be going up a steep hill.

Otherwise, just drive with it on all the time and let the auto trans handle your shifting/downshifting. It'll save you gas.

 

[Brian MP5T]

does this really work?.. does it hurt the tranny?

The car was designed to have it on all the time. It is a good thing.. In fact, if you drive on the highway with it off you might actually hurt your car in the long run.

 

[Dino1956]

The car was designed to have it on all the time. It is a good thing.. In fact, if you drive on the highway with it off you might actually hurt your car in the long run.

Is this a fact ? My Manual does not say that. So I should have the Overdrive On ALL the time ? Are you sure it will hurt the Car if you don't keep it on ? I have the DX Auto Transmission 1.6 Engine. Do I still keep it on ALL the time ? I'm asking because I just don't know but get my suggestions from what I read & other people's experiences. Thanks !

 

[patsfan4life]

If you are cruising ont he highway at 70 or 80mph, yea you want it on or you will be cruising in 3rd gear and it'll be revving high, prob around 5-5500rpm, and that isnt good for a long period of time.

 

[red95_240sx]

yall it simply let you decide if u want to use all 4 gears, or just three... if u drive with it off all the time, when u get around 40, the car will not downshift into 4th and only stay in 3rd, and cause the RPM to be high= more power,response, lower gas mileage, more work on engine.