O/d

[prazeo]

can anybody explain to me what that O/D button does on the gear shifter? (98 by the way)

i understand its overdrive but im clueless to its function..

[vkeks05]

With O/D off, the highest gear availble is 3rd gear.
With O/D on, 4th gear is availble, and that gear is used for mainly cruising at speeds above 45mph.

[Chico]

so is it better to drive w/ it on or off normally???

[TRDragoon]

jus keep it on......on for highway use, off for city.....but jus keep it on so u dun hafto struggle with it since u r rite now.

[Tex97]

eh, I keep it on all the time. You could take it off in the city to warm your car up faster if you keep it under 3 grand.
When my car is cold it won't shift into 3rd gear till you hit 35mph. And then when it shifts, it shifts hard. I think this is built into the tranny to help warm the car up.

[prazeo]

which option saves more gas? does it depend...

[Phi]

If conserving gas is your concern, change your driving habits. Don't take off when the light turns green. Don't stomp on the brake 2ft away from interesection. Don't drive over the posted speed limit. Otherwise, just keep O/D on and let the car's computer do the rest.

[rezzle]

O/D means overdrive.

Overdrive means a transmisison gearing such that the output shafts turn faster than the input therefore lowering rpm.

Lower rpm means less fuel consumption (unless of course you are climbing a hill and lugging the engine) <<<-- Lugging the engine with an automatic with electronic control (which you have) is nearly impossible.

When your engine is cold the electronic transmission control will automatically change how the transmission behaves to help the car (and its fluids) warm up faster with less stress. So you don't need to worry about changing it when the engine is cold.

Just put your car in D and leave the O/D on.

They only time you may wish to turn it off is when descending a long hill on the highway to allow for a bit of engine braking to maintain the speed limit without applying the brake as often. Don't forget to turn it back on.

[MalooMAN]

thanks heaps guys! it is good to know all about my auto now. Im still going to miss the great take-offs and the little more feel of power. it felt like a manual :p i liked it.