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Old 09-06-2018, 09:20 PM   #1
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F350 7.3 super duty

Not sure if this the right place, but I got a question.
I have an automatic tranny, and on the shifter it has a
on/off button for over drive.
when do I use and use it and should I use it while hauling?
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:26 PM   #2
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I use mine mainly going downhill to help slow me down. Sometimes I use it when traffic is heavy going up hill and were moving slow. I don't use it on the flats on the larger freeways as it seems to work good with it on.
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:32 PM   #3
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Overdrive

Is the overdrive on when the light is lit?
Or off?
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:35 PM   #4
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I think on mine when it is lit it is off. I know when your going down the road and turn it off you can tell. also when you shut the truck off and turn it back on it goes back to being on.
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Old 09-06-2018, 09:49 PM   #5
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From the owners Manual


OVERDRIVE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Activating overdrive
(Overdrive) is the normal drive position for the best fuel economy.
The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through
all available gears.
Deactivating overdrive
Press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS) located on the end of
the gearshift lever. The
Transmission Control Indicator Light
(TCIL) (the word OFF) will
illuminate on the end of the gearshift lever.
The transmission will operate in all
gears except overdrive. To return to
normal overdrive mode, press the
Transmission Control Switch again.
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Old 09-07-2018, 05:37 PM   #6
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Overdrive

Quote:
Originally Posted by nramem View Post
Not sure if this the right place, but I got a question.
I have an automatic tranny, and on the shifter it has a
on/off button for over drive.
when do I use and use it and should I use it while hauling?
THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Overdrive is a gear a little "higher" than the normal top gear. That means that for a given highway speed, the engine will be turning a little slower in overdrive than it would if overdrive were locked out (turned off). Watch the tachometer as you drive at a constant speed, say 60 mph, and turn the O/D on and off.

Overdrive is great for fuel economy, usually not so good for pulling a trailer. What happens is that for slight hills the transmission may "hunt" back and forth between overdrive and the gear just below it and the repeated shifting will annoy you.

Some overdrives (I don't know about yours, RTM.) also "freewheel." That is, when O/D is enabled and you take your foot off the accelerator, the vehicle coasts freely--the engine doesn't drag it down. I'm not sure that would be desirable with a trailer.

RTM to learn more.

Larry
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Old 09-07-2018, 06:05 PM   #7
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Since almost all 7.3 are the same manual here is the pdf file for the manual
Attached Files
File Type: pdf 00f23og3e.pdf (1.63 MB, 23 views)
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Old 09-07-2018, 06:09 PM   #8
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When I was towing a 7500lb TT with my 2000 F350 7.3 I would take it out of overdrive going up a hill when the speed dropped to about 57 mph. This kept the RPMs up and the EGTs down. It also prevented it from shifting back and forth (hunting)

Overdrive is on when the light is off.
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Old 09-07-2018, 06:21 PM   #9
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Since my dually has 4.10 gears it will easily climb a 7% grade in overdrive with my 9875lb Wildcat 55+mph and it has never had any issue's what so ever. Usually it is when your going downhill it will not slow down unless you turn it off.
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Old 09-10-2018, 10:39 AM   #10
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F-350 7.3

First time out pulling my 12000# fiver I blew the seals in my tranny (4.1) after hauling it from PA to GA. Mechanic advised against using overdrive and I have not used it since.

Have never been able to climb 7% grade at 55 mph!
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Old 09-10-2018, 03:12 PM   #11
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Overdrive is nothing more than 4th gear. It's not a special mechanism or programming in the transmission. It simply means that its less than a 1:1 ratio. The output gear turns one full revolution for each .72 revolution of the input gear. Pushing the OD OFF button is exaclty the same as moving the gearshift of your old truck from D to 2. It just locks out the top gear

The only time I recommend using it is you find your trans 'hunting' between 3rd and 4th (overdrive). tThe hiway to our lake lot is very hilly, and a speed limit of 50mph. My trans cannot find a gear its happy in when pulling my flatbed trailer and side-by-side and continually shifts down on uphills and up on downhills

I simply shut off OD and keep it limited to 3rd gear. I might burn a tad extra fuel that way, but my trans stays happy in one gear.

Tim
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Old 09-10-2018, 03:27 PM   #12
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