For those who have an OD transmission, when do you use it?

[archcommus]

Meaning, do you always drive in OD, or do you normally drive in D, and only switch to OD for highway driving?

I'm not asking what's right or wrong, I'm asking what YOU do personally.

 

[iamwiz82]

I put it in 6th most of the time I am cruising at more than 35mph.

 

[Toastedlightly]

OD is for cruising with minimal load. I have manual OD.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I put it in 6th most of the time I am cruising at more than 35mph.

just cruising, right?

sometimes i put it in 5th if I'm going at that speed too

 

[archcommus]

For those who have automatic OD transmissions.

 

[olds]

I leave it in OD unless the transmission starts hunting for a gear. Or if I am descending a steep hill and towing something.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

On vehicles that are valid examples, OD, since I need it more often than not.

- M4H

 

[archcommus]

I used to use OD all the time, then I decided to try using D all the time, and OD only for 55+ MPH. I saw an increase of 4 MPG when doing this (15 -> 19 MPG). However, my speedometer has not been working recently, so the only way I can tell how fast I'm going is by my RPMs. Since I'm not always EXACTLY sure when I'm going 55 anymore, and since I got annoyed switching between OD and D all the time (I switch between side streets and highway very frequently), I've went back to using OD all the time.

 

[yhelothar]

I thought the standard is to leave it on? On normal roads, OD will save a lot of gas.

 

[archcommus]

I was under the impression that being in OD during stop-and-go driving will use MORE gas than D.

This a 3.8L V6 BTW.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
I was under the impression that being in OD during stop-and-go driving will use MORE gas than D.

This a 3.8L V6 BTW.

Unless your vehicle (which is more specific than the engine) changes shift points based on OD/D selection, it won't make any difference.

- M4H

 

[PCMarine]

I always leave my O/D on with my 4-speed automatic. In just city driving, I'm in 4th gear more so than the other gears which saves me a ton on gas than if OD was off.

 

[Blayze]

I leave it in OD 95% of the time.

 

[archcommus]

Mine's also a 4-speed automatic.

Odd, though, because as SOON as I switched to using D more prominently back in the summer, I saw an instant 4 MPG improvement.

But using D for speeds under 55 all that time wasn't bad for the engine at all, was it?

 

[Crappopotamus]

i use OD when im racing. i think it has something to do with afterburners.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
Mine's also a 4-speed automatic.

Odd, though, because as SOON as I switched to using D more prominently back in the summer, I saw an instant 4 MPG improvement.

But using D for speeds under 55 all that time wasn't bad for the engine at all, was it?

Sounds like you've got a heavy foot.

The best thing you can do for your mileage is leave OD on, accelerate quickly to your desired speed, and cruise. If you're doing a lot of slowing down/speeding up, your AT probably won't be bright enough to downshift when you need the acceleration and will burn off extra gas in your OD gear.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
I was under the impression that being in OD during stop-and-go driving will use MORE gas than D.

This a 3.8L V6 BTW.

i don't think you have any idea what you're talking about.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: archcommus87
I was under the impression that being in OD during stop-and-go driving will use MORE gas than D.

This a 3.8L V6 BTW.

i don't think you have any idea what you're talking about.

Why's that? Because I thought OD would use more fuel?

I probably don't, that's why I'm asking!

 

[yobarman]

I have OD on my 95 auto Maxima. I turn it off when I want to rip it up on the roads, cause it pushes a lot more gas into the car, and I can accelerate much faster with it off.

It's on 90% of the time cause it saves me gas, no matter what speed I'm going.

 

[toant103]

always leave it on for me. Better gas milege

 

[archcommus]

Guess I'll just leave it in OD then.

Way back I read on forums that OD was mainly for cruising at highway speeds, which is why I started using D more often in the first place. But since you all say that OD saves gas, who knows where I was getting that extra 4 MPG from.

 

[Heisenberg]

I leave it in OD all the time basically.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: archcommus87
Guess I'll just leave it in OD then.

Way back I read on forums that OD was mainly for cruising at highway speeds, which is why I started using D more often in the first place. But since you all say that OD saves gas, who knows where I was getting that extra 4 MPG from.

Overdrive is simply the final gear ratio in your transmission. OD is any ratio that is less than one, meaning the engine spins less than one revolution for every one revolution of the transmission output shaft. It isn't going to make your car faster, unless you are already at speed and punch it. Being in OD means the automatic transmission will, more than likely, shift down.

OD off is not going to make you take off faster from a stand still, give you better gas mileage at highway speeds, and it isn't going to have your children.

 

[bunker]

Leave it in D until the engine warms up on cold days, higher rpm's, faster warming for my cold ass.

Otherwise it's always in OD as my transmission is only 4 gears.

 

[NascarFool]

OD on the highway only for me. Camaro- automatic OD, 55mph and up, Dakota 4x4 - manual w/OD 65mph.