nyczdave

When do you use the Overdrive button on the ES?

please help

Kohinoor

iTrader: (22)

i always use it

ssultan

It's on by default as it should be. I think he's asking when to turn it off?!

eman_be_lexin

When I feel the need for speed! My baby picks up much better and the tranny takes longer to shift. Good Stuff!!

CUMan

I always turn off the overdrive when driving in the mountains. Removing overdrive enables one to use the engine compression to help slow the car on downgrades. This takes some of the load off the brakes and keeps them cooler.

MCV20

when there is a CIVIC beside me

a13n0rma1

Overdrive's a special, low-ratio gear in your transmission.

I think it's lower than 1, so you'd actually have trouble rolling.

Well, just in that overdrive gear.

Overdrive's good for highway and non-stop and go driving.

I keep mine off because I tend to enjoy my throttle response over 45 MPH.

[ note: I'm exhausted, ask me questions so I can explain it better ]

MCV20

sometimes i would turn off my O/D on highway while i was curising; like 120-130km/h would that be hurt my transmission?

also i m wonder what is the safe limit for O/D off.. so that i can play safe-ly

Falcon LS

Your rpm would be higher and hence your fuel consumption would increase.

ArmyofOne

MCV, i would not turn off the O/D above 50MPH...to play safely, simply push your accelerator pedal down until your tranny downshifts, if it doesnt downshift at all, you are going to fast for it to safely do so.

the only time you should EVER push that button is:

1. you are driving downhill and dont want the extra gear impeding your breaking ability (causing you to use only the brakes to stop)

2. you are (heaven forbid) towing something, or have an otherwise heavy load in/on the ES.

3. You are in a reduced traction environment, i.e. icy roads.

otherwise, it can be dagerous if you dont know what you are doing. the o/d off button doesnt change the gear rations in any way, it simply locks out the last gear, so your speed tops out around 55 mph@redline.

its not like shifting to 2 or L, this changes the whole gearing...pressing O/D off simply locks out 4th (or 5th) gear. it wll not yield increased acceleration.

Lexusfreak

Leave the car in Overdrive at all times!

ArmyofOne

well i turned mine off today when i hauled 200lbs of concrete (5, 40lb bags) and in second gear so i didnt have OD kicking in. its ok to use at certian times, but there is just no need most of the time.


have you ever noticed the way the car dirves in second gear? goodness, you can almost feel the tranny working harder...

freakyplanet12

ehhh...
Over drive is just 4th gear... keeping it off makes it stay in 3rd gear... thats it.. keep it off to have fast mergees on to high ways and wat not..... btw only the newest gen es's have 5speed autos. so most likely OD is your 4th.


but then again i dont really drive an auto much.. and i use my 3rd/4th gear to merge onto highways... and 5th to cruise.

-fp12

olsoneagle

New to forum. My wife bought a 2006 es 15 months ago. I hardly ever drive it but like it. I noticed that pulling shifter in to D that it is in 4th gear and that to get into Drive you need to push it to the right. Mentioned to my wife and she said she did not know that and never does that. So, she has put about 16,000 miles on this car, most of the miles on freeways going 70--
in 4th gear!!!
I am concerned that this is not good for the engine & trans. She promises to put it in D from now on!!! Any bad effects to the car??? Thanks

BDSL

Probably just change the transmission fluid earlier.
Or divorce....whichever is cheaper.