Crazy or what ??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Cynthiana Kentucky
Crazy or what ??
The guy I got my 87 from said don't drive the car in overdrive drive it in 3 only use overdrive on the interstate?? never heard anything like this before have you ?
Don
By the way beautiful day in Kentucky took her out to play today !!!!! this car is growing on me fast LOVE IT !!
Don
By the way beautiful day in Kentucky took her out to play today !!!!! this car is growing on me fast LOVE IT !!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Its a 4+3 designed to drive in OD in 2,3,4 which you can do to save fuel if you like. It drops your rpm down about 300 rpm. What the PO is referring to is using the OD as a final drive or 5th gear. The reasoning here is saving the OD unit wear and tear I guess. I generally do this and shift into OD when I get above 50mph or so and when I know I will be there a while.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Cynthiana Kentucky
Its a 4+3 designed to drive in OD in 2,3,4 which you can do to save fuel if you like. It drops your rpm down about 300 rpm. What the PO is referring to is using the OD as a final drive or 5th gear. The reasoning here is saving the OD unit wear and tear I guess. I generally do this and shift into OD when I get above 50mph or so and when I know I will be there a while.
OOOPS
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I only drive in OD if I'm going over 50 MPH. 3.07 rear end, if that matters.
I don't like the way it shifts in and out of OD every time I touch the gas/brakes. It shifts too soon into OD and lugs. Add in TCC lock/unlock and it's a pain to drive under 50 MPH in OD.
Drive it any way you want. It's YOUR car...
I don't like the way it shifts in and out of OD every time I touch the gas/brakes. It shifts too soon into OD and lugs. Add in TCC lock/unlock and it's a pain to drive under 50 MPH in OD.
Drive it any way you want. It's YOUR car...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 5
From: Coast MS
That's if you're in a mountain area or towing something.
The old thought was that if your transmission is constantly switching between 3 and OD then just leave it in 3 to save on wear. On a semi flat surface with normal driving use OD, that's what it's for.
The old thought was that if your transmission is constantly switching between 3 and OD then just leave it in 3 to save on wear. On a semi flat surface with normal driving use OD, that's what it's for.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Australia
A few of the guys in my club drive their auto C4s in Drive around town and O/D on open roads. Mine is equipped with the 3.07 ratio.
I find that leaving it D for around town, you do feel the car is more urgent and in its power band (punchy in Australian terms) but when it slows down I notice the gearbox is more clunky/jerky than leaving in O/D. In fact I find nearly all GM 4 speed autos are like that when you are driving in D.
If I am on a twisting mountain pass I will definitely leave it D. Generally I tend to mix it around depending what mood I am in.
I find that leaving it D for around town, you do feel the car is more urgent and in its power band (punchy in Australian terms) but when it slows down I notice the gearbox is more clunky/jerky than leaving in O/D. In fact I find nearly all GM 4 speed autos are like that when you are driving in D.
If I am on a twisting mountain pass I will definitely leave it D. Generally I tend to mix it around depending what mood I am in.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Cynthiana Kentucky
Your replies match my thoughts also ! I have always driven everything in Overdrive all my life i just thought it was funny what he told me. but i must say at some lower speeds the drone of the exhast makes me down shift to save my ears! is there a easy way to tell what rear end i have ??
Thanks
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 39
From: Southern Indiana
I am pretty sure I read in the owner's manual after buying my 88 that in heavy traffic where there is a lot of accelerating and braking / starting and stopping in short periods of time that they recommend you just leave it in D to avoid additional wear on the tranny by having it constantly shifting up into OD just to shift right back out of it. I will have to look it up again and see.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
The trans were setup to shift into OD at the earliest opportunity as a fuel saving measure. If the trans is hunting around town and it annoys you, leave it in D. If not, leave it in OD....either is fine.
We want details, and of course, pics of said setup. Did you have this done at the trans shop on I-15 north of Redlands? What the cat bellowed.....