The manual doesn't seem very clear on when you should have the Overdrive on or off. Should I leave it on all the time?

Thanks,

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I leave it on, unless I am towing my boat. I don't think there is a black and white rule on when to use it. You will get much better mileage if you leave it o/d on. If you are towng you may want to shut it off so you don't strain the engine.

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Chris
'00 Xterra SE 4X4 Auto(Silver Ice)

I use my overdrive like a third gear. when i'm cruising and want to slow down i first turn off the overdrive to allow the engine to slow some then use the brakes. just habit i guess. leave it on all the time. it doesnt hurt. it will give you better gas mileage with it on.

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I have noticed the O/D doesn't kick in untill the X is up to operating temperature. I leave mine on all the time unless I am going up & down hills where it wants to shift back and forth.

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'01 Silver Ice XE 4X4 3 pack V6 AT
BT

I usually turn mine off when going up to the ski mountain or something.

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The way I see it, using it to slow down instead of the brakes could be costly. I would rather pay to change the brakes than to rebuild the transmission. Just something to think about.

Hey just a quick reply................. I was told by my sales person(Definitely knowledgeable) to leave it on all the time. This is my second vehicle with O/D and was told to ALWAYS leave it on. Not sure why just passing along the information.

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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 Auto

lqqker,
After driving automatics and stick shifts for a while, I discovered that the Overdrive, to me, is like a 4th or 5th higher gear. I would turn off the OD if my vehicle is going up a steep, long incline on a moutain or hill. It's like downshifting so that you can pick up some torque to go up the slope. Once I either reach the top of the hill or have enough momentum going, the OD goes active "ON" again.

yellowX
2001 SE 2WD
Solar Yellow



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What O/D does is basically control the transmission gears. When O/D is ON, you drive with all 4 gears or speeds (if equipped with 4-speed tranny). When O/D is OFF, you drive with only first 3 gears. (...tranny does not use the 4th gear, so you can get the constant power to tow or whatever) That's what I heard from a mechanic, anyway.

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