1998 dohc, whats overdrive

[KillaKaze024]

Wondering what this button does, and what the benefits are of using drive or overdrive.

[reekor]

Owner's manual missing?

Originally Posted by KillaKaze024

Wondering what this button does, and what the benefits are of using drive or overdrive.

[Willyum]

Overdrive = Lower engine speed, better fuel mileage, quieter running to start with.

[KillaKaze024]

Okay so I did some reading online.
Is this correct?

Use overdrive when going speeds higher than 35 mph, and not in stop and go traffic.

Turn over drive off for quicker acceleration, and then kick into it after the 3rd gear. Use it for passing and cruising.

Using it all the time can cause damage to the transmission.

Thats what I have gathered so far.

Is switching into OD like shifting into another gear?
What is the ideal speed and or RPM for this.

[shorod]

Overdrive is activated by the PCM. What you list is basically what the PCM does. It will enable overdrive and the lockup torque converter when cruising as 35mph or higher for more than 3 or 5 seconds, I don't remember which. It will not be enabled when you are accelerating from a stop. If the transmission kicks down for passing, overdrive will be disengaged automatically by the PCM.

Basically, the only time you should have to press the button to turn OD off is when you are driving through hills and the transmission is constantly hunting between gears, especially when towing or heavily loaded. However, for general driving, there is no need for driver intervention.

-Rod

[Selectron]

If you are missing the owner's manual, you can download one from here in pdf format:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp

[KillaKaze024]

Okay so say im racing my friend.
Am I correct in assuming that starting with the O/D off will allow me more tourque and a quick acceleration off the gun, and then once I reach the near end of the 3rd gear, hitting the O/D button will boost me even more?

I dont do this often, so im not worried about damaging the car, but its something Id like to know next time around so I dont get made a fool

[shorod]

Did you read the above posts?

-Rod

[Willyum]

You are a fool if you are racing your friend

[KillaKaze024]

Originally Posted by Willyum

You are a fool if you are racing your friend

Thanks.

[G-man422]

Haha. Just read the above posts.

[way2old]

Originally Posted by KillaKaze024

Okay so say im racing my friend.
Am I correct in assuming that starting with the O/D off will allow me more tourque and a quick acceleration off the gun, and then once I reach the near end of the 3rd gear, hitting the O/D button will boost me even more?

The answer to your question is in Rod's post. If that is sort of hard to comprehend, the answer is a simple NO.

[Huney1]

"Am I correct in assuming that starting with the O/D off will allow me more tourque and a quick acceleration off the gun,/ / NO / / and then once I reach the near end of the 3rd gear, hitting the O/D button will boost me even more?" I wouldn't exactly call it a "boost". From the top: Doesn't matter if you accelerate slow or fast, the first three gears are the same ratio and shift points are governed by the computer reading the engine RPM's and load factor on the engine, so don't hold it in say second and float the valves because you can do damage, let the computer tell it when to shift. As for OD, that's a "running gear" ratio, something like 1:1 for crusing and good gas mileage becasue at 1:1 the engine turns over one time for one revolution of the drive wheel/tire. I think my 03 Vulcan comes out of passing gear (3rd) at about 70 mph and winds on out from there.

If you put it in D and let the computer control the shift points it will do a better job than you and not harm the engine overrevving it needlessly. Be good to your equipment and it will be good to you. Abuse it and it will bruise your wallet. The man might not shoot you for speeding, but always remember, that ball point pen they carry is 45 caliber. Speeding tickets make your insurance go up big time and moving violation points stay with you seven years.

Last but certainly not least. Our families use the highways and everytime I see a story where some soccer mom in a mini van was T-boned or head on'ed by a speeder makes me sick to my stomach. I was a pilot and well understand the "need for speed," but please go to the drag strip and blow it out, but don't do it on our public highways where our families and kids ride, . . . please don't do it. You kill someone while you're violating the speed laws, or you're reckless driving it's called vehicular homicide, manslaughter and in some cases murder. South Carolina it will get you 10 to 20 years in prison. Like the man said, don't do it 'cause it just ain't worth it.
See for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicular_homicide

[oasisgod]

When i was 16 I had a 98 Elantra. I used to always mess around with that overdrive button when I was "racing". Well neadless to say I was walking before I knew it because my car decided it didn't need 3rd or fourth gear anymore. Second was what it was always in untill the day that it just didn't go in gear at all. Like these guys said just leave it on unless your cruising through hills and the car has to constantly shift. As far as racing goes, hold the peddal on the floor leave overdrive on and the computer will make the car go as fast as it can. No user intervention required, all you'll do is damage the transmission turning it on or off (especially off) when the car is in motion. Also like these guys said speeding is no joke take the racing to the track before you screw up your life or worst someone elses.

[KillaKaze024]

Originally Posted by Huney1

"Am I correct in assuming that starting with the O/D off will allow me more tourque and a quick acceleration off the gun,/ / NO / / and then once I reach the near end of the 3rd gear, hitting the O/D button will boost me even more?" I wouldn't exactly call it a "boost". From the top: Doesn't matter if you accelerate slow or fast, the first three gears are the same ratio and shift points are governed by the computer reading the engine RPM's and load factor on the engine, so don't hold it in say second and float the valves because you can do damage, let the computer tell it when to shift. As for OD, that's a "running gear" ratio, something like 1:1 for crusing and good gas mileage becasue at 1:1 the engine turns over one time for one revolution of the drive wheel/tire. I think my 03 Vulcan comes out of passing gear (3rd) at about 70 mph and winds on out from there.

If you put it in D and let the computer control the shift points it will do a better job than you and not harm the engine overrevving it needlessly. Be good to your equipment and it will be good to you. Abuse it and it will bruise your wallet. The man might not shoot you for speeding, but always remember, that ball point pen they carry is 45 caliber. Speeding tickets make your insurance go up big time and moving violation points stay with you seven years.

Last but certainly not least. Our families use the highways and everytime I see a story where some soccer mom in a mini van was T-boned or head on'ed by a speeder makes me sick to my stomach. I was a pilot and well understand the "need for speed," but please go to the drag strip and blow it out, but don't do it on our public highways where our families and kids ride, . . . please don't do it. You kill someone while you're violating the speed laws, or you're reckless driving it's called vehicular homicide, manslaughter and in some cases murder. South Carolina it will get you 10 to 20 years in prison. Like the man said, don't do it 'cause it just ain't worth it.
See for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicular_homicide

Well like I said I dont do it much, and I dont zip around from street to street.

We only race in the wee hours of the morning if we are out that late on a straight 4 lane major road in the suburbs.
There are maybe 3 or 4 cars other than us on the road if that so early in the morning.

Trust me Id never run a red light period.