milage with over drive on or off

[frankie_lala]

would i get more milage with the over drive on or off, and is it bad for my car if i use the option that gets more milage?

[ZZT231]

Overdrive in an Automatic is 4th gear, thus you would get more economy on the highway and stuff if it is switched ON...

Cheers.

[ZZT231]

Oh forgot to mention is that without overdrive on the gearbox would run from 1st to 3rd gear...

[Keyfoo]

In general you would use no overdrive in city traffic (unless you haves fast moving traffic with no stop n go), Highway overdrive on.

Over drive is like free wheelin when gas is let off, no back pressure from engine.

Now if your driving on the highway in bad weather and traffic is alittle slower
no over drive will give you better control. When you let off the gas you feel engine braking, slowing car.

Now if your racing on a twisty road (which we would never do) No overdrive car will handle better. but for best mpg on highway overdrive always on.

last thing if your climbing a big hill and car is running poorly, no over drive will help but watch your temp.

[TOYMAN321]

I fail to see how on a auto trans not allowing the car to shift into 4th will make it handle better, more responsive yes, but I dont see how it will effect handling

[Keyfoo]

I think the car can handle better one example. I drive the highway take a turn the turn off its 180 degree hair pin turn. If i turn off overdrive it down shifts and goes thru the turn with better balance, If I dont turn off overdrive I hit brakes hard, the nose dives car feels out of control , weight transfer alone makes the feel car like sliding out.

Now this dosent make the car a g-machine. But you can handle a turn with more control , and more control is better handling.

(I take this turn off almost everyday, sometimes I like to see how far I can push it)