OVERDRIVE OR NOT

[spitts55]

I have a 2011 travel trailer 22ft and a 2003 expler 4.6 class three hitch with trailer tow do i use overdrive all the way to my destination or not .thanks

[Terryallan]

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.

[JJBIRISH]

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…

[Gdetrailer]

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.

[jspence1]

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

[Gdetrailer]

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.

[pianotuna]

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.

[Gdetrailer]

peirek wrote:

path1 wrote:
I want the fluids (transmission and coolant) to circulate faster than in overdrive mode.

This! It will make a difference in your Tranny fluid temps.

:R

Total B. S.tuff.

The fluids pumped around via transmission are NOT going to "circulate faster" whether in OD or not in OD.

What you MIGHT see though since the engine will be TURNING HIGHER RPMs is the engine COOLANT will get circulated faster to a certain extent.

The engine fan will also be running faster but at speed will not have much over all effect.

Folks tend to put WAY TO MUCH time and energy in worrying about engine coolant and transmission oil temps.

Folks, please understand the STANDARD configuration of modern day vehicles from the time automatic transmissions were invented the transmission fluid is plumbed into the radiator via a short loop internally in the radiator.

This loop is placed at the BOTTOM of the radiator tank where the engine coolant is the LOWEST temperature possible. This loop will keep the transmission fluid near engine coolant temps (that IS the way it is designed).

Additionally with vehicles which are factory setup for towing they will have a SECONDARY transmission cooler plumbed in AFTER the radiator loop.

99.9999% of the time this is plenty sufficient to keep the transmission temps well within the factory specs.

With that said, the OP should FOLLOW the FACTORY RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINED IN THE MANUAL as to whether or not to lock out overdrive.

I myself HAVE NEVER locked out overdrive UNLESS the transmission continually "HUNTS" gears (down shift then up shift in a quick repeating pattern).

I towed with a 97 and 2003 truck with 4 speed automatic overdrives and I can only think of once or twice I locked out over drive and that was only for that particular grade.

Newer vehicles with Tow/haul mode is completely different, the T/H mode DOES NOT LOCK OUT OD.

I would say if the manual does not tell you to lockout OD while towing then try driving with OD and if transmission downshifts and upshifts too much (up/down quick pattern) then lock it out. The continual shifting is actually where damage can come from, not the fluid temps.

[dbbls]

What does your owners manual say?????

[peirek]

path1 wrote:
I want the fluids (transmission and coolant) to circulate faster than in overdrive mode.

This! It will make a difference in your Tranny fluid temps.

[Goldstalker]

For your vehicle, no overdrive.

[JJBIRISH]

Haven’t used OD for towing in almost 200,000 miles and never a tranny or mechanical problem or breakdown…
Not to mention I get better performance and fuel mileage not using it while towing …

I don’t know about newer trucks with the tow haul mode…

[mlts22]

I don't know Chevies, but isn't the switch on 2010 and newer Chevies a tow/haul mode, as opposed to an overdrive lockout.

The difference is that it provides engine braking and changes the shift points, rather than just preventing the vehicle from hitting the upper gears.

I use it all the time in heavy traffic even when not towing so I don't have to slam on the brakes, but decelerate while on the highway.

[Squealers]

FWIW, my long term mechanic told me to never tow my trailer without first locking out OD with the trailer mode switch. I have followed his advice, even with my new Silverado. I agree, check the manual.

[path1]

Type of tow hitch has nothing to do with overdrive IMO

If your asking...should I use overdrive or not when towing, I would read your owners manual for your vehicle specifics. Some people use overdrive when towing to get a little bit better gas mileage. I don't because I want the fluids (transmission and coolant) to circulate faster than in overdrive mode. And use vehicle as designed by the manufacture.

[Bucky_Badger]

I would not use OD