NO, leave the overdrive on. Only turn it off when pulling a heavy load or in a mountainous area. Overdrive improves your fuel economy.
Overdrive is the normally allowed position in a Ford Explorer automatic transmission , once the vehicle speed is fast enough ( my Ford Explorer is 50 MPH ) the automatic transmission will automatically shift into overdrive
This vehicle has an almost unnoticable shift into overdrive. You will notice your revs go down slightly when it engages. if your car has been stuck in 2nd gear then your transmission has automatically engaged protect mode and you should immediately take your vehicle to a repair shop.
Driving in overdrive should be done when the driver does not plan on driving fast and jamming the accelerator. Overdrive is like a last gear that helps the vehicle maintain torque at low RPM.
Yes, under most conditions you can use overdrive. If you are pulling a heavy trailer, or the vehicle is heavily loaded, I would recommend you don't. If at anytime you a driving loaded and the transmission starts changing gears constantly, you should disengage the overdrive.
According to the 1995 Tracer's Owner Guide (page 241): Overdrive is the usual driving position for an automatic overdrive transaxle(transmission). It works the same way D (Drive) works, AUTOMATICALLY upshifting or downshifting as the vehicle speeds or slows. However, Overdrive also shifts into a fourth gear (an overdrive gear) when your vehicle cruises at a consistent speed for any length of time (like on the Interstate). Overdrive will increase your fuel economy when you are traveling at cruise speeds (usually 50mph or higher). But, Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain terrain such as hilly or mountainous roads because the transaxle (transmission) automatically shifts back and forth between 3rd and 4th gears while doing this type of driving. Therefore, it is recommended if your car is continously climbing hills/mountains (which requires additional power) then you should shift to D (Drive).
On a 1998 Ford Explorer, Overdrive Band Failed Off means that the vehicle did not shift into Overdrive properly. The band for this gear should be serviced soon.
Most vehicles, for safety reasons, will not start in overdrive. The vehicle must be in park or neutral for a properly working starting sequence to work.
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission with overdrive, then at speeds above 45 mph, it should be in overdrive, which reduces engine RPM's to save fuel.
That means you are either in overdrive or you have a defect in the dash lights that is turning on your overdrive light. Wiki can explain what overdrive is better than I can, but it's not a bad thing. You should probably just leave your vehicle in overdrive for better fuel economy.
If you want the overdrive to be on, the light should be off on the dash. The picture on the button has the D in a circle with a line through it, just like a sign that says means "no smoking" & has the cigarette. Overdrive is always on when you start the vehicle.
Overdrive should be ran by electrical ,so check your fuses . If that's not it check wiring that runs to transmission.You will have to get under the vehicle . There is an electrical switch that shifts the trans into overdrive , that is your next step . If you have a owners manual in the glove box it should tell you which fuse runs the overdrive circuit .Hope this helps . Rick
In simple terms, overdrive is the final/cruising gear. It reduces the power output by lowering the gear ratio. The overdrive mechanism increases fuel efficiency, and saves strain on the transmission and the drive train. When the vehicle is started the overdrive is always on, but it can be turned off by a switch button, which is often located on the shifter. Turning the overdrive off will prevent the vehicle from shifting into the overdrive when traveling at the speed of around 40 MPH. It is recommended that the overdrive is constantly on under normal driving conditions. It should be turned off when, for example, hauling heavy loads or going up a long gradual incline.