Silly Overdrive ....

Marty13 · #1 03-25-2004, 11:51 AM

So, since I got my 02 Dak last year, something's been bugging me. It's the fact that overdrive is ON by default, which seems, well... just stupid to me. I mean it's bad to drive under a certain speed with o/d on right? So why have it on by default? I have to turn it off first thing when I hop in and start er up. I don't think I know of anyone that can go straight out of their driveway to cruising speeds without going below the suggested what, 50-55mph first. Is there any way to switch this default to OFF, so i can just turn it on when needed? Majority of my driving is in areas where o/d is not needed. I know this is small, but sometimes it's the small things that annoy us the most.

Dodgegirl19 · #2 03-25-2004, 12:18 PM

No.. it's fine that O/D is on all the time, it's supposed to be... but you don't hit O/D until your going faster... above like... what... 4th gear... (it's early, I'm sleepy, hehe). It's bad to drive too fast with it OFF... It's much harder on your engine.

Are you really sure you want it off? It will wear and tear on your engine more without it. You're not in O/D all the time, persay... just when at cruising speeds...

~Amanda

Dodgegirl19 · #3 03-25-2004, 12:20 PM

Don't get me wrong... as long as you make sure you don't speed around with O/D off all the time, you'll be fine. LOL!

~Amanda

dodgefreak · #4 03-25-2004, 12:28 PM

the only time i turn O/D off is when I am goint to race some one...that way I can get the hight revs!!

Like Amanda said...O/D does not kick in till about 50 mph. Its there as a fuel saver/rev limiter type thing.

Try this...while driving about 35 mph. Turn the O/D off and watch your tack..you should get verry little change in rpm if any at all. Next do the same at 50-55 mph...now there should be a big jump in rpms. The higher the rpm the more fuel you are using the the more wear you are putting on your motor!

Marty13 · #5 03-25-2004, 12:34 PM

Well see thing is, my normal daily commute to/from work is plagued with rolling hills, and slow drivers. So I find the truck, when in o/d switching back and forth alot which I always understood to be bad. Granted, on the avg weekend when traffic's not that bad and idiots aren't riding their brakes, or fluctuating from 45-55 every couple hundred yards, I can do o/d and it dosen't switch back and forth much at all. It's the former that has me worried. I'd definately rather go o/d all the way, definately notice a gas savings when I do on those weekend trips out that way. Just seems to be more stressful on it constantly switching back and forth the entire length of the trip back and forth on weekdays.

Dodgegirl19 · #6 03-25-2004, 12:45 PM

Nope, you are safe... O/D is your friend, and going in and out of O/D is fine... it's easier on the engine.

~Amanda

dustyloins · #7 03-26-2004, 01:14 PM

I agree, O/D is just another (higher) gear and gears were meant to be changed...