You are here:

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Ford Explorer 4X4

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/23/2006


Question
Hi,,I was doing a search and came across you- "As far as the overdrive goes,in slow traffic, it's better to not use overdrive. With the slow, stop and go traffic, the overdrive is not practical, and causes your transmission to shift much more than needed, causing unneeded wear" -So, I want to know - When I and going on the Highway,should I be shifting into OV and then back to D when I get off of it, OR is this not a good thing to do while truck is moving? Is OVD only for towing?? Thank you for your time ! Will you email me the answer or do I have to come back here ?? Thanks again !
Renee
(and "yes" you can Post this Q )


Answer
Renee,

When you're on the highway, there is no problem using overdrive.  In the city during stop and go traffic, it is hard on the transmission so it's a good idea to get out of overdrive.  if you're driving on a road for any distances, and are maintaining a speed of 40 mph or so, you should be able to run in overdrive with no problems.  As far as shifting while moving, that doesn't harm the transmission at all.  Overdrive, is simply a higher gear ratio than normal, and is designed to save fuel while traveling at the higher speeds.

When towing, it is not recommended to use overdrive, but I would check the owner's manual for the Explorer for their recommendations.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.