Using "Overdrive" when hauling TC?
We're about to embark on our maiden voyage and I'm wondering about the Overdrive on my truck. It's a 2001 Ford F150 HD 7700 model, the OD button is pretty much just always engaged, but I've read that ...
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I have ask two different transmission shop owners who specialize in performance racing and towing transmissions the same question. Both have been in the transmission business over 40 years. I have a 1996 Dodge DSL.
One says turn the OD off when under 55 MPH or 1500 RPM. The reason he gave was the transmission fluid pump does not pump enough fluid for a heavy load when the engine is below 1500 RPM.
The other guy says leave it alone unless it hunts (keeps shifting up and down), and let the computer do its job. The The leave it alone guy did add, when he tows heavy in town, he will shift gears with the stick to keep the engine RPMs up so the transmission will run cooler. He also said it will not hurt the transmission to turn the OD off.
When not loaded, I let the truck computer do its job. When my TC is loaded, on relatively flat ground, I let the computer do its job. When heavy loaded in hills, or leaving a stop going up hill, I use the stick shiftier and OD button.
Wayne
One says turn the OD off when under 55 MPH or 1500 RPM. The reason he gave was the transmission fluid pump does not pump enough fluid for a heavy load when the engine is below 1500 RPM.
The other guy says leave it alone unless it hunts (keeps shifting up and down), and let the computer do its job. The The leave it alone guy did add, when he tows heavy in town, he will shift gears with the stick to keep the engine RPMs up so the transmission will run cooler. He also said it will not hurt the transmission to turn the OD off.
When not loaded, I let the truck computer do its job. When my TC is loaded, on relatively flat ground, I let the computer do its job. When heavy loaded in hills, or leaving a stop going up hill, I use the stick shiftier and OD button.
Wayne
