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Okay, I'm going to admit to my abysmal ignorance. I have an "overdrive" button on my shift column. Exactly WHAT is overdrive for, and how and when should I use it? Thanks!

janice

Overdrive is like the next higher gear. When on level ground it will save you fuel. If you get into hilly country or tow a toad don't use it or you could burn up your transmission. It's a dated terminology that is still used. Basically if you have a 4 speed transmission, overdrive is like a 5th speed. Hope this helps.

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Here ya go Janice, see if this answers it for you.

Janice, you NEED to check your manual. I have the Ford 450 V-10 engine on my rig and the overdrive button is used when I'm going up a steep hill or down a steep hill. If I understand it correctly its actually "on" when driving normally on flatter areas and I have to engage it for uphills.

If you don't have a manual, call a dealer and ask a mechanic or go online and lookup your manual.

retiredhappy wrote:Janice, you NEED to check your manual. I have the Ford 450 V-10 engine on my rig and the overdrive button is used when I'm going up a steep hill or down a steep hill. If I understand it correctly its actually "on" when driving normally on flatter areas and I have to engage it for uphills.

If you don't have a manual, call a dealer and ask a mechanic or go online and lookup your manual.

Thanks, Karen. I hope you all don't mind (and I don't look like a wannabe-know-it-all), I also posted this question on another forum. I am going to re-post the best responses I got. The first is about my specific chassis, the Ford F-53:


If your HR is on the Ford F53 chassis the button on your shift column knob serves to lock it out of overdrive when depressed. You should see a light illuminate on the knob when it's out of overdrive.


Okay, my rig is IN overdrive as a default, unless I depress the shift column knob, which locks it OUT of overdrive. Next, why lock it out and when?


When on the straight and level, using overdrive keeps the engine RPM in the normal range, and the rear axle ratio was specially selected to keep the engine RPM in the ideal range at 55 - 70 MPH using overdrive to save fuel, and put the engine in the optimal torque range.

You use overdrive most of the time, with a couple of exceptions.

If you are going down a hill, then you can lockout overdrive, and this will assist in controlling the vehicle speed, without using the brakes.

If you are approaching a hill, and want the engine to make more power, then you can shift out of overdrive to increase the engine RPM, and make more power for a given road speed. This can allow you to climb the hill a little faster.


Another poster said he leaves it in overdrive mode all the time, except when he's in very steep hills. "The Ford tranny automatically downshifts if it needs to, so no lugging up a hill. My understanding is that unless the tranny is "hunting", that is, shifting up and down rapidly, you should leave it in overdrive."

So those are the votes. And, I'm sad to say, there were no food fights on this topic.

Uh oh ... the "overdrive thread" on that "other" forum is startin' to heat up .... name calling may be in the offing. Gosh that's fun reading. LOL.

Getupngo wrote:Uh oh ... the "overdrive thread" on that "other" forum is startin' to heat up .... name calling may be in the offing. Gosh that's fun reading. LOL.

Janice, what's the sub-forum 'over there'?

mitch5252 wrote:

Getupngo wrote:Uh oh ... the "overdrive thread" on that "other" forum is startin' to heat up .... name calling may be in the offing. Gosh that's fun reading. LOL.

Janice, what's the sub-forum 'over there'?

I post those questions in "Class A Motorhomes." You know, big boys who like big toys.

Yeppers, that other forum can get nasty. Before I found this forum I used to ask questions over there - wow, way too much testosterone. And some of them really like to make it so technical no one can understand the answer but it shows how smart they are.

retiredhappy wrote:Yeppers, that other forum can get nasty. Before I found this forum I used to ask questions over there - wow, way too much testosterone. And some of them really like to make it so technical no one can understand the answer but it shows how smart they are.

I just give them a bunch of estrogen right back...had several posts removed (not that I have any estrogen left to spare, as I watch my hair float down to the ground...) Men.

..

And I'm getting PM lobbying on the topic as well ... but it was from a nice guy (with an F-53 like mine) who didn't want me getting misled by the yahoos. Said he's been RVing since '95 and is still on the learning curve. Heck, so am I ... and told him if I ever get to know it all I can be one of the guys there.

I always get a kick out of men who feel COMPELLED to "help" me (READ: tell me what to do) with my MH. On my first trip with the Class A, one of my fellow volunteers was absolutely crestfallen that I had taken my rig into town to top off my propane ... returned and backed (correctly, I might add!) into my spot and re-leveled it without his "help." I mean, he was SO invested in making sure that I didn't do anything wrong that it was creepy. Glad he had a wife whose name I could invoke on a regular basis.

The other forum and men...yes it is always funny over there at times.
I do like posting here much better.

I have to say it is interesting some of the comments I get. There are times we camp closer to home. So the kids and I will head out early. I have them trained well and to be truthful here...DD age 15 does a much better job of getting me backed in then DH does. I just show her the spot I want the rear of corner of the trailer at. She knows if she can't see the mirror I can't see her.

We will pull in park and set up..while these "men" stand around with the deer in the headlight look...

I will say this...we have had the trailer since March of 2007. We have taken several trips and even two long road trips and DH has driven maybe 10 miles of that. He sucks at driving while towing..he just does. So he doesn't do it.


As the overdrive...I would check the manual on it. I know in my truck, I have to hit the button to take it OUT of overdrive. I have been in other rigs where you had to push it on to have it ON.

I use overdrive except in hilly country, but then again I am towing and not a motorhome.

In my truck - with which I tow - I have to push the OD button - to lock it OUT of overdrive - overdrive allows it to 'hunt' too much between the gears when towing - or so the book says........

So - in a motorhome it might be germane to do so if you are towing a toad. I would indeed scope out the manual - my friend Dale was on my tail today (yup - the guy thing!) for not reading my truck manual - I was startled yesterday to have this little sign light up yesterday that said I had water in my fuel! Who knew there was a special little separating device for just such an occasion - he climbed up and did the separating for me this morning. It's a tall truck, I'm not, and he is. Seems like a fair division of labor to me!

I have no problem being the "helpless little lady" when there is a man around to do a dirty or difficult job that I'm perfectly capable of doing but would rather watch the "great big man" do it.

First trip in my rig I pulled into a reststop and got out. A good old boy walked up and asked, "Whats a little lady like you doing driving a big rig like that?" After biting my tongue really, really hard I answered; "Because I can."

I've never gotten a post removed on the other forum but I have responded a few times that I was glad I wasn't married to a particular poster.

retiredhappy wrote:A good old boy walked up and asked, "Whats a little lady like you doing driving a big rig like that?" After biting my tongue really, really hard I answered; "Because I can."

Great response!!!

Barbie