Drive versus Overdrive?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 173
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From: Janesville WI
Drive versus Overdrive?
I have a 2004 coupe with the auto transmission. I'm looking for some input from the group on the use of Drive versus Overdrive.
In drive at roughly 60mph I am running about 2,000 rpm. If I put it in overdrive it drops to about 1,500 and the result is that when slow pulling up hills it will make the dreaded "drone" louder. Other than decreasing gas milage a little, is there any harm in using drive all the time and running a bit higher rpm at regular highway speeds? I would always use overdrive on the interstate since I run 70+ there, but for county roads and highways is 2,000 rpm, or perhaps a bit more, for long periods harmless?
Jeff
In drive at roughly 60mph I am running about 2,000 rpm. If I put it in overdrive it drops to about 1,500 and the result is that when slow pulling up hills it will make the dreaded "drone" louder. Other than decreasing gas milage a little, is there any harm in using drive all the time and running a bit higher rpm at regular highway speeds? I would always use overdrive on the interstate since I run 70+ there, but for county roads and highways is 2,000 rpm, or perhaps a bit more, for long periods harmless?
Jeff
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It is perfectly fine. When I had an A4 I would sometimes use drive when on country twisty roads.
I don't know what the manual says about it, as I have never had an A4 C5, but any manual I ever read stated use D when at slow speeds and/or your tranny starts to shift back and forth from D to OD.
OD was created simply to increase fuel mileage due to cafe standards. The bonus was less stress and wear and tear on the engine as a result while at high speeds.
My C4 would run 2K at 70 while in OD, so drive away my friend. It's actually better on your tranny to not have it shifting back and forth.
I don't know what the manual says about it, as I have never had an A4 C5, but any manual I ever read stated use D when at slow speeds and/or your tranny starts to shift back and forth from D to OD.
OD was created simply to increase fuel mileage due to cafe standards. The bonus was less stress and wear and tear on the engine as a result while at high speeds.
My C4 would run 2K at 70 while in OD, so drive away my friend. It's actually better on your tranny to not have it shifting back and forth.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Jul 5, 2012 at 04:11 PM.
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4L60 in drive ?
It is perfectly fine. When I had an A4 I would sometimes use drive when on country twisty roads.
I don't know what the manual says about it, as I have never had an A4 C5, but any manual I ever read stated use D when at slow speeds and/or your tranny starts to shift back and forth from D to OD.
OD was created simply to increase fuel mileage due to cafe standards. The bonus was less stress and wear and tear on the engine as a result while at high speeds.
My C4 would run 2K at 70 while in OD, so drive away my friend. It's actually better on your tranny to not have it shifting back and forth.
I don't know what the manual says about it, as I have never had an A4 C5, but any manual I ever read stated use D when at slow speeds and/or your tranny starts to shift back and forth from D to OD.
OD was created simply to increase fuel mileage due to cafe standards. The bonus was less stress and wear and tear on the engine as a result while at high speeds.
My C4 would run 2K at 70 while in OD, so drive away my friend. It's actually better on your tranny to not have it shifting back and forth.
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It won't hurt anything to do what you describe. I always keep mine in OD, but that's just my preference.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Janesville WI
Thanks guys, that's what I figured. It's got to be better to have the tranny not going back and forth between overdrive and drive all the time. Heck, if i put a lower gear in the car, it would run about 2K in overdrive at 55 anyway! That is what my C-4 did.
Exhaust system is a Borla catback. I LOVE the way it sounds outside the car, but at 1500 RPM it's got some serious drone. Fortunately, at interstate speeds I run closer to 1,800 in overdrive and that is nice and quiet.
Jeff
Exhaust system is a Borla catback. I LOVE the way it sounds outside the car, but at 1500 RPM it's got some serious drone. Fortunately, at interstate speeds I run closer to 1,800 in overdrive and that is nice and quiet.
Jeff
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When in traffic or when on roads where I don't go over 40 I usually keep it in 3. Car slows better with less braking and I feel better in control at slower speeds. All other times I just keep it in OD.