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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For me, it is pretty simple. OD on probably would not hurt the transmission unless heavy load, especially up hill. OD off will not hurt the transmission period. Another thought to ponder is the RPM the engine is the most efficient, not for MPG, but pulling a hill. On my truck, the computer does not do as good of a job as I can just by pushing the button to turn off the OD.
On transmission temperature, I have two temp gauges. One is in the pan and one is in the line as the fluid leaves the torque converter going to the cooler. Pulling a steep hill, there can be a major difference in temps between the two. Using reverse for long periods of time is a real killer on fluid temps. Regardless of how much cooling you have, the pan temp can be normal and the torque converter dangerously hot. That heat started in the transmission, after the fluid left the pan with normal temps. My point is, you can ruin a transmission even with additional coolers. If your transmission pan has normal temps, additional coolers do nothing other than slow the warm up of the transmission fluid. Simply stated, why add cooler to a transmission that has normal temp in the pan?
Wayne
On transmission temperature, I have two temp gauges. One is in the pan and one is in the line as the fluid leaves the torque converter going to the cooler. Pulling a steep hill, there can be a major difference in temps between the two. Using reverse for long periods of time is a real killer on fluid temps. Regardless of how much cooling you have, the pan temp can be normal and the torque converter dangerously hot. That heat started in the transmission, after the fluid left the pan with normal temps. My point is, you can ruin a transmission even with additional coolers. If your transmission pan has normal temps, additional coolers do nothing other than slow the warm up of the transmission fluid. Simply stated, why add cooler to a transmission that has normal temp in the pan?
Wayne
