OVERDRIVE OR NOT

Hi,

A friend burnt out the tranny on their Explorer pulling a light weight hybrid. I'd lock out the overdrive, and I'd drive SLOW.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

A friend burnt out the tranny on their Explorer pulling a light weight hybrid. I'd lock out the overdrive, and I'd drive SLOW.

I know someone who regularly towed with a Mercury Mountaineer a 10K GVW tandem axle dump trailer. Trailer empty was 2K plus the weight of a tractor with front loader and backhoe for a grand total weight of 6K lbs.

They did this for years even towing this setup 2.5 hr one way drives, not to mention hauled dirt, rock, gravel and even LANDSCAPE BLOCK.

While I personally would not have done that, they did out of need but NEVER EVER had any transmission troubles. Their one Mountaineer has in excess of 150K miles the other not far from that and STILL GOING.

The MANUAL IS THE BEST PLACE TO START, READ IT and don't depend on opinions.

Driving with an Automatic Overdrive
Transmission

•With certain car and compact truck
automatic overdrive transmissions, towing
– especially in hilly areas
– may result in
excessive shifting between overdrive and
the next lower gear.

•If this occurs, it is recommended that the
overdrive gear be locked out to eliminate
the condition and provide steadier
performance (see your vehicle’s Owner
Guide for information).

•When there is no excessive shifting, use the
overdrive gear for optimum fuel economy

•Overdrive also may be locked out to obtain
engine braking on downgrades.



Taken from the 2003 Towing Guide

2003 EXPLORER OWNERS MANUAL LINK

Page 177 of owners manual..

"Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•
Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•
Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•
To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to the
Driving with a 5–speed automatic transmission
section in this chapter.

Page 150 states..

•
O/D OFF lamp is illuminated.
•
Provides engine braking.
•
Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to other gears. Examples: city traffic, hilly terrain, heavy loads, trailer towing and when engine braking is required."

There, DIRECTLY FROM FORDs OWNERS MANUAL. It DOES NOT specifically state that you must turn OD off while towing.

Instead it states to turn OD off IF you are experiencing EXCESSIVE SHIFTING form OD to other gears.

Well my transmission fluid looks like new all the time with 200,000 miles on it as a dedicated TV…

My sons newer express needs a new tranny right now the fluid was burnt black from towing a light weight single axle cargo trailer in OD with maybe two small racing quads and gear… under 3000 lbs. and well under 80,000 miles…

My Excursion V10 also towed much better and got better fuel mileage when not using OD… the higher rpm’s and lower engine load was a winning combination with both…

With any of them I recommend an external oil cooler for both the tranny and engine oil… engine coolant temps remained rock solid steady climbing any hills I encountered…

I have never known of anyone saying they burnt their transmission up from not using the OD while trailer towing…

Admittedly I know nothing about the newer trannies, but would still bet no harm would come from not using OD even with the newer ones…

My manual says the trany will stay cooler wit OD locked out. For the same reason. The fluids circulate more, because there is higher RPM. I also get better MPG, and better performance with OD locked out. My engine is MUCH happier turning a little more RPM.

To the OP. I wouldn't worry too much. Your trany ain't gonna hold OD anyway.

Gdetrailer wrote:
Instead it states to turn OD off IF you are experiencing EXCESSIVE SHIFTING form OD to other gears.

And I can about guaranty OP will have excessive shifting in most conditions.
First or second time the transmission drops out of OD just lock it out. I think you will end up just locking it out every time with a 4.6L and less than 4.10 gear. Even if just the torque converter unlocks would prompt me to lock out OD.

BTW what is the RPM at 60mph OD on vs off?

:) Hi, on somewhat level ground, I always tow with my overdrive on. My owner's manual says it's OK to. Just turned over 102,000 miles.

I had a pickup with a 4.6 and my experiance is it will never shift into overdrive pulling something anyway, so i wouldnt worry about it.

I have a 2011 Sierra with the 5.3 and use the tow/haul button when towing my 30 foot trail cruiser. I have found that the Sierra rarely goes into 6th gear (second overdrive gear) when towing anyway. When very hilly it hunts from 4th to 5th (first overdrive gear)and I manually lock out 5th and 6th gears when this occurs. Once the terrain changes again, I put it back into D and let the transmission act as designed.

Back when I was towing with my 2001 Sierra, I kept 4th gear (overdrive) locked out since my tow/haul button stopped working anyway and the truck really struggled in 4th gear.

With my Acadia I lock-out 5th and 6th gear when hilly, and I allow 5th gear when flat, but 6th gear towing really increases my fuel consumption in that vehicle.