Why does it state in normal driving not to put it in Overdrive

[Angry Possum]

I found a card that came stock with my 93 Ranger, and it says to leave the shifter in the normal drive position when driving. I find it odd, just asking if others drive in the overdrive setting like I do. Is it bad to drive in overdrive and do I get less gas mileage?

 

[tw205]

Just a guess, I would bet it’s mostly a ride quality issue. In OD cruzin thru town at say 35 and you try to accelerate its gonna shift from OD to second and hit the gear with a clunk. With OD off it would shift smoother but it’s just a guess.

 

[sgtsandman]

I would concur with tw205. I think the OD the the earlier Rangers was meant for highway travel and the recommendation is to prevent gear hunting.

 

[Angry Possum]

I don't have issues with gear hunting. I'm thinking maybe the gas mileage is better in city driving without it being in overdrive, who knows.

 

[fastpakr]

The only time I bother with the O/D control is to avoid hunting during hilly driving.

 

[RonD]

The newer computers, EEC-V 1995 and up, had way better software for automatics

1994 and earlier would do as said, shift back and forth from 3rd to 4th at a lower speed based on throttle position if shifter was in OD
And yes that would lower MPG because engine was lugging, engine RPM was too low for the speed because it was in OD(4th)

 

[Angry Possum]

The newer computers, EEC-V 1995 and up, had way better software for automatics

1994 and earlier would do as said, shift back and forth from 3rd to 4th at a lower speed based on throttle position if shifter was in OD
And yes that would lower MPG because engine was lugging, engine RPM was too low for the speed because it was in OD(4th)

So it's best to keep in Drive most of the time except OD for highway driving?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Have you tried just cursing at it... ?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Have you tried just cursing at it... ?

I somehow posted that in the wrong thread. But it may work here too.

 

[fastpakr]

So it's best to keep in Drive most of the time except OD for highway driving?

You should be fine to just leave it in O/D under nearly all circumstances.

 

[rubydist]

I somehow posted that in the wrong thread. But it may work here too.

Most of us have tried that and it doesn't help. But it often makes us feel better. I think its called the placebo effect...

 

[sgtsandman]

So it's best to keep in Drive most of the time except OD for highway driving?

Best I can say is it depends. If it isn’t gear hunting in OD, then drive it in OD. If it is, keep it for highway only driving.

 

[tw205]

Have you tried just cursing at it... ?

Oh yes. The words of power and blood letting is how thing get done.

 

[RonD]

Oh yes. The words of power and blood letting is how thing get done.

I find if you put your tongue at just the right angle and placement things go alot smoother

 

[Angry Possum]

Yes it works fine with OD in normal driving. No gear hunting. I'll leave it in OD normally now. Thanks everybody. : )