YACQT

[mobobuff]

So, your car has both overdrive (D) and drive D. Gas mileage being your first concern and engine stress being a close second, which do you use for expressway driving? City driving?

I guess I don't completely understand what the difference or significance is... does overdrive just use one more gear?

 

[DotheDamnTHing]

good question...i would like to know too

 

[iamwiz82]

OD for cruising. I am usually in 5th when I will be staying over 30 mph.

 

[fs5]

keep it on all the time unless you're towing/going up a steep hill

 

[Pacfanweb]

Do what your owner's manual says, which is likely just leave it in OD unless you're in the mountains or doing some heavy towing.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I've never used anything other than (D), although I've never towed, driven in the snow up mountains, or whatnot.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Do what your owner's manual says, which is likely just leave it in OD unless you're in the mountains or doing some heavy towing.

 

[Cooljt1]

i turn od off when i floor it and want to pass someone. my car has 4 speeds so with od off it will cut out 4th gear and have 3rd gear as the highest it will go

 

[mobobuff]

Okay, good, that's what I've been doing. I don't know why they included it on a '96 Ciera. Like I'm going to be mountain climbing or toeing yachts with it or something.

 

[MeanMeosh]

OD is on by default, for all you car-shy peeps. when you toggle the OD switch you are switching it off, not turning it on.

 

[Linux23]

why do they call it overdrive? why not just call it top gear?😕

 

[homestarmy]

Because third gear typically has a 1:1 gear ratio... it's now turning the wheels over what the engine is revving.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Linux23
why do they call it overdrive? why not just call it top gear?😕

Because it's a higher than 1:1 gear ratio.