GSMan300

Hey, I have a 1994 GS300 and I am a little confused about when to use the OVERDRIVE SWITCH and when not to. I know that the owner's manual says to always keep it on for low engine noise and better fuel economy. But, I was reading an article and some guy talked about taking OVERDRIVE OFF when street racing or wanting to go fast. Somone please clear this up for me.

chowder

overdrive is the highest gear in an automatic transmission. it is built for higher speed crusing (50+) with fuel economy in mind (lower rpms). in a highway passing situation, if u punch it the car will drop to the next lowest gear -- typically 3rd in a normal automatic trans.
if you take overdrive off, you don't allow that gear to be used. at high enough speeds, this only means you are running at higher rpms in your 2nd to highest gear. if you are racing/driving fast and never get off the gas in an acceleration cycle, then whether OD is on or off is irrelevant, because OD isn't shifted to until you ease off the pedal. if there is any braking in this race and reacceleration, then OD off will save you a downshift (i.e. time/power) when you reaccelerate.

Mean Gene

GSMan - I'd just use it for highway driving only. I keep my GS4 in second or third gear in-town most of the time. That way I'm in the torque-band in case some fool wants to race or cut me off! Thank Lexus for E-shift!!

GSMan300

Thanks for clearing that up.

Post soon. See ya

webgod

whats e-shift?

LOTC

but does Overdrive put more stress on the engine?