My Durango has a on-off switch for the overdrive. Could someone tell me in what situation or situations you'd want to switch it off? Help appreciated.
Overdrive On-Off Switch
rhcotton
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I usually turn OD off when I tow, which is what's recommended. In an unscientific 1800 mile towing round trip, I saw almost no mileage difference OD vs no OD, but I'm sure my transmission and engine felt better about it because the engine wasn't "lugging" at low RPM's.
Some folks also turn it off in traffic or when climbing steep hills to keep the transmission from "hunting" for the correct gear.
Some folks also turn it off in traffic or when climbing steep hills to keep the transmission from "hunting" for the correct gear.
Overdrive On/Off
You definitely want to turn the overdrive off when you're towing. I have a friend who blew his transmission in his Suburban after one trip towing in overdrive. He only had 28,000 miles on it. The first thing they asked him was whether he was towing in overdrive. Although it handled the weight fine, the tranny got a lot hotter in overdrive, and ultimately caused some damage.
I?ve also seen postings from D owners who have driven in overdrive and when their tranny got hot, the overdrive automatically shut itself off.
I'm very cautious to always tow with my overdrive off. I also find situations with icy road a little better to handle with the overdrive off.
Jay
You definitely want to turn the overdrive off when you're towing. I have a friend who blew his transmission in his Suburban after one trip towing in overdrive. He only had 28,000 miles on it. The first thing they asked him was whether he was towing in overdrive. Although it handled the weight fine, the tranny got a lot hotter in overdrive, and ultimately caused some damage.
I?ve also seen postings from D owners who have driven in overdrive and when their tranny got hot, the overdrive automatically shut itself off.
I'm very cautious to always tow with my overdrive off. I also find situations with icy road a little better to handle with the overdrive off.
Jay
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On my '03 4.7 (5 speed auto), switching OD off when driving in traffic (or slowly) will make the trans stay in second gear longer. This makes the jumping to 3rd then back to 2nd shifts not happen. making the D feel a lot nippier in traffic
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It also works the other way?
Not only does turning off the OD give you more pep, it also slows you down. When going down a steep hill on the highway, turn off the OD and the D will hold it's speed better, not speed up so fast. ("engine braking"effect) Also, when off-road, turning off OD when descending steep, rocky stuff in 4LO/1st gear, seems to help hold down the speed. (I have heard conflicting reports on that last one, but every little bit helps on some of the stuff we see around here :wink: )
HTH,
Not only does turning off the OD give you more pep, it also slows you down. When going down a steep hill on the highway, turn off the OD and the D will hold it's speed better, not speed up so fast. ("engine braking"effect) Also, when off-road, turning off OD when descending steep, rocky stuff in 4LO/1st gear, seems to help hold down the speed. (I have heard conflicting reports on that last one, but every little bit helps on some of the stuff we see around here :wink: )
HTH,
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Re: It also works the other way?
On the 2004 and newer 5-45RFE trannys, when in TOW/HAUL mode (not a true OD off), the "engine braking" capability includes further downshift to 3rd if necessary to control speed. TOW/HAUL changes the shift points and drops out 5th gear - 2nd OD, so only 4th is available (0.75:1.) We utilized it quite a bit on our trip out West last month.Waykul said:
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