Do you use Overdrive?

[blackf0rk]

Just wondering when, if ever, you turn off overdrive.

[TechHeavy]

Just wondering when, if ever, you turn off overdrive.
Well, it's my understanding, (and my experience with the Trilogy S/C) that it's best for the tranny if you have the O/D off when you go WOT... (I think this applies to the Vortec S/C as well... not sure). Otherwise, damage could, (and will eventually) occur to the tranny as they are not equipped for for this amount of power when the O/D is engaged. (Someone can correct me if I use the wrong verbage, but I think I have the basic gist of this O/D scenario).

If you're not supercharged, then I don't think it matters, (in so far as damage). However, I did notice before supercharging that I could "bark" the tires better with the O/D off when driving in the city.

In conclusion, even being Supercharged, I still kick the O/D in on the freeway at speeds in excess of 60mph in attempts to optimize fuel economy... (though I have to be very careful to remember to turn the O/D off if I want to ROMP on it)! :D

Note: Some of our member LEOs, (whom I have a great deal of respect for and listen to their comments carefully) have stated that when "on duty" they drive with the O/D off all the time, (even in hot pursuits). That sold me that it's ok to drive with the O/D off at high speeds.

Just my rail widened .02.

[HwyCruiser]

I had my overdrive programmed set to come on at around 47 mph and off at 42 mph at the MVII dynotune. I like it a lot for city driving. Thanks to TAF for the suggestion! :beer:

[MENINBLK]

I drive with my OD OFF until I'm on the freeway and I'm over 60MPH,
then I turn it ON...

[MENINBLK]

I had my overdrive programmed set to come on at around 47 mph and off at 42 mph at the MVII dynotune. I like it a lot for city driving. Thanks to TAF for the suggestion! :beer:

Your OD or your Torque Converter Lockup ?

[LordVader]

:) I do the same as MenInBlk and keep it off around town (less than 60) and when hitting freeway speeds put it back on. Also, if I need to downshift for a pass I will drop it out and then back on after the revs come up.

[MarauderMark]

I drive with it on all the time .Except when someone wants to try me then it goes off and when i beat em it goes back on...

[RoyLPita]

I use mine all the time except when I get on the interstate and when I manual shift.

[cyclopsram]

I use the overdrive off mode to slow down on the off ramps from the Interstates...get good engine braking then...with practice you can get to the stop at the end of the ramp without using brakes..of course if it is a steep downhill ramp the brakes must be used for the final 50 feet or so... Us old guys got nothin bettah to do... Another thing I do is to see how low I can lug the revs before it comes out of lockup...sometimes I can fool it down to about 30mph.. My oldest Panther... a 95 P71 has 226000 miles with original engine and tranny and rear....front pads last 50k and the rear ones never seem to wear. Leaking oil at one quart per 1000 miles now out of the back of the intake manifold..common problem. 4 studded snows and a class 4 hitch and she is a towing fool... Waiting for a 4wd Panther..

[Marauderjack]

My TC locks at 60 and unlocks at 50 when slowing down....I wish someone could put it on a switch so it could be locked and unlocked manually?? For now the program I have (Dennis has) works great for me!! :beer:

Marauderjack :D

[Bluerauder]

I drive with my OD OFF until I'm on the freeway and I'm over 60MPH,
then I turn it ON...
This ^^^^^ is my understanding as well -- it is better off in heavy traffic or the under 45 mph roads where it will continue to hunt for the right gear and generally end up in O/D prematurely. The O/D is designed for the long hauls on the highways and interstates. However, this selection was not one of the options in the survey. :D

[HwyCruiser]

I had my overdrive programmed set to come on at around 47 mph and off at 42 mph at the MVII dynotune. I like it a lot for city driving. Thanks to TAF for the suggestion! :beer:
Your OD or your Torque Converter Lockup ?

Above is for the OD.

I also have Jerry W's TC lockup values where the TC locks at around 38 mph during normal driving. When locked in 3rd, the engine braking and exhaust burble at off-throttle IMO is just right for my style of driving in the city (read: urban assault).

Depending on the throttle position, the TC lockup almost feels like a transmission shift, kinda like a "3rd-and-a-half" gear upshift. The TC unlocks at greater than 1/2 throttle (about) or when tapping the brake.

BTW, I have the Stallion TC and get a solid 16.5 mpg in the city, 22.5 mpg highway. The lockup values compliment it well. See my garage for the rest of the mods, your milage may vary, etc., etc. :D

[MaLo03]

It's my understanding that the OD is on automaticly when the car turned on. If you press the button on the shifter, this will turn it off. Is this correct?

I have no mods. All stock

[Rider90]

It's my understanding that the OD is on automaticly when the car turned on. If you press the button on the shifter, this will turn it off. Is this correct?

I have no mods. All stock

This is true. When you turn it off, do you see a green light on your gauge cluster?

[new car buyer]

[QUOTE=TechHeavy]Well, it's my understanding, (and my experience with the Trilogy S/C) that it's best for the tranny if you have the O/D off when you go WOT[/QUOTE

What is WOT?

[Bluerauder]

Well, it's my understanding, (and my experience with the Trilogy S/C) that it's best for the tranny if you have the O/D off when you go WOT

What is WOT?
Wide Open Throttle .... :D

Also known as PTTM (Pedal to the Metal), SOI (Standing on It) or GOI (Getting On It). :rofl:

[MaLo03]

Yes, green light turns on when I press button on shifter. It says "OD OFF"

[hitchhiker]

I drive with it on all the time .Except when someone wants to try me then it goes off and when i beat em it goes back on...

X-Act-Lee

That's what I do.

:D

[GodOSpeed]

Wide Open Throttle or as I like to say WFO. :D
I turn mine off in town.

[67435animal]

Your OD or your Torque Converter Lockup ?

If he has the infamous "Marauder Shift" program, as I do, the torque converter does not lock up until almost 55 mph. My upshift points are also adjusted up from stock. I do really like that 3-4 doesn't even occur until 45 under light throttle and about 50 under "normal" throttle.

I love the way my car shifts now

[Two Hawks]

Just wondering when, if ever, you turn off overdrive.
None of the poll responses work for me :(, but I like the question. :)

Normally, I leave OD on for what ever extra gas mileage I might gain :rolleyes: . However,
if I'm feeling the need for speed or if someone wants to see my exhaust tips,
then its OD off and WOT on.:D :burnout:

[merc]

Well, it's my understanding, (and my experience with the Trilogy S/C) that it's best for the tranny if you have the O/D off when you go WOT... (I think this applies to the Vortec S/C as well... not sure). Otherwise, damage could, (and will eventually) occur to the tranny as they are not equipped for for this amount of power when the O/D is engaged. (Someone can correct me if I use the wrong verbage, but I think I have the basic gist of this O/D scenario).

If you're not supercharged, then I don't think it matters, (in so far as damage). However, I did notice before supercharging that I could "bark" the tires better with the O/D off when driving in the city.

In conclusion, even being Supercharged, I still kick the O/D in on the freeway at speeds in excess of 60mph in attempts to optimize fuel economy... (though I have to be very careful to remember to turn the O/D off if I want to ROMP on it)! :D

Note: Some of our member LEOs, (whom I have a great deal of respect for and listen to their comments carefully) have stated that when "on duty" they drive with the O/D off all the time, (even in hot pursuits). That sold me that it's ok to drive with the O/D off at high speeds.

Just my rail widened .02.

Let me toss in a dime. Superchargers have nothing to do with Transmission O/D failures. The problem is the design of the transmission, meaning gears v.s. band. You play around with your car in O/D you will find yourself with a large repair bill in the near future. Another issue is the snap ring. If you try leaving the O/D off all the time with 4:10 or higher gears, be prepared to pay at the pump. :rasta:

[merc]

If he has the infamous "Marauder Shift" program, as I do, the torque converter does not lock up until almost 55 mph. My upshift points are also adjusted up from stock. I do really like that 3-4 doesn't even occur until 45 under light throttle and about 50 under "normal" throttle.

I love the way my car shifts now

That's why I love Atlanta :beer: I will be down in a couple of months, see ya then.

[NAVCHAP]

Use OD on the highway above 65, turn it off again after exiting and down to about 45 again.

Use OD on surface roads when maintaining a steady 45-50 and light on the throttle.

Never use OD on base where speed limits are mostly 20-25.

Built transmission to avoid some of the nightmares, although would much rather have a stick. -kjs-

[Krytin]

Use OD on the highway above 65, turn it off again after exiting and down to about 45 again.

Use OD on surface roads when maintaining a steady 45-50 and light on the throttle.

Never use OD on base where speed limits are mostly 20-25.

Built transmission to avoid some of the nightmares, although would much rather have a stick. -kjs-
I agree w/all of the above!

[metroplex]

It's preferred to lock out OD when racing or doing high speed manuevers. Locking out OD full-time is easy to do when tax payers are footing the bill for your gasoline. Driving with OD off full-time is safe to do so. Just ask Russ. He blew out 4 OD bands even on the "bulletproofed" 4R70Weak.

Eliminating the OD from the shifting scheme speeds things up.

I tuned my Vic so that it does not kick into OD automatically in case I forgot to unlock it. Otherwise it would hit OD at around 105 mph. It's not set to shift into OD only when I'm nailing 6k in 3rd gear (125 mph).

[robotek911]

Overdrive is off for drag racing on the 1/4 mi. If tuned properly you'll never reach it. Everyday driving, OD is on. Need to get decent mileage once in a while.......

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

Ok, if it feels better and is safer on the tranny to have od off, then why do the majority drive with it on continuously? :confused: :dunno:

[dwasson]

I leave the OD on unless I am demonstrating the acceleration.

[Marauder386]

" Remain in Overdrive when in pursuit " ... thats what the big black and yellow sticker says on the dashboard of the P71...but, ya know, most of the time I cant see it because of the way I sit in the cruiser....

:cool:

PS: I was going to acquire a few for the MM's but I thought that if I was in "pursuit" I would be saying I was BEHIND everyone...idea was CAN-X'ed...

:burnout: :burnout: :burnout: :burnout:

[TechHeavy]

Let me toss in a dime. Superchargers have nothing to do with Transmission O/D failures. The problem is the design of the transmission, meaning gears v.s. band. You play around with your car in O/D you will find yourself with a large repair bill in the near future. Another issue is the snap ring. If you try leaving the O/D off all the time with 4:10 or higher gears, be prepared to pay at the pump. :rasta:
Thanks for clearing that up for me merc. It's good to know it's not the S/Cs causing the tranny failures, but the O/D in general. I didn't know that.

Question: ...but first disclaimer: I know it's not that difficult to push the O/D button on the shifter but....

Have you heard if it's possible to change the program such that when the car is started it is automatically in O/D off, (rather than the other way around)?

Just curious,
Thanks

[Merc-O-matic]

With High Test gasoline at over $2.25 a gallon I take
all the "Over-Drive" I can get.

When you push the O/D button in...O/D is off
push it again and it's on. Has nothing to do with
starting or turning the car on or off.
The Traction Control button, reverts to
"on" whenever you turn the car off and restart it,
not the O/D button.

Gotta Love It! :burnout:

[MENINBLK]

Let me toss in a dime. Superchargers have nothing to do with Transmission O/D failures. The problem is the design of the transmission, meaning gears v.s. band. You play around with your car in O/D you will find yourself with a large repair bill in the near future. Another issue is the snap ring. If you try leaving the O/D off all the time with 4:10 or higher gears, be prepared to pay at the pump. :rasta:

Its already been proven that the 4.10 gears do not put as big a dent in your MPG as you would have thought.
Most of us get 18 - 20 in the city, if we can manage to lift our foot off the accelerator.
Put in the 4.10s, WITH A TUNE, and you might get 1 or 2 mpg less, that's all.
The difference between the 3.55 and the 4.10 is an extra half rotation of the driveshaft,
for every rotation of the rear wheels.