To OD or not OD

[hammerg26]

Got your attention
I read a post the other day where Thermo stated that the "sweet spot" in the power band for the Expy is around 2000 rpms. During my commute, I have the occasion to be "cruising" at around 45 mph (about 1400 rpms in OD). Any time I have to accelerate, it is not quick... would it be better for MPG and for overall driveability to turn off my OD, or I do I leave the OD on? Or (most likely) does not matter at all...

Thanks.

Hammer

 

[alaskanexpy]

i turn my o/d off all the time (when i put the truck in gear its the first thing i do) unless i'm on the highway 65mph or more for a long period of time. any change in speed causes it to downshift from o/d into 3rd. makes for much better driveablity around town.

 

[saabkid]

just noticed that today. It drives me nuts, OD off from now on around town

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

Always on, less trailering of course.

With regard to mpg, if your commute it totally flat, the 'lie-o-meter' might not show a difference in instantaneous mpg, but would suspect over the long haul that there would be some reduction due to increased rpm not using OD. Sometimes mine will shift into OD as low as 39 mph, others higher depending on the throttle setting, road conditions, and trans line pressure.

PanHandler.

 

[toms89]

I would say overdrive on will save fuel. When the motor is not under load the lower rpms will require far less fuel. Only way to confirm is to go through several tanks of fuel both ways and check mileage.

That's really the reason overdrive was implemented. Fuel economy. Also saves on engine wear. I have a C4 in my mustang (no overdrive) which is great for responsiveness. But as far as fuel economy it sucks.

A custom tune would be ideal in your situation. You can have it wait to shift into overdrive until slightly higher speed and downshift with much lower throttle input. It would be biased towards performance and not fuel economy though to a certain degree it could help with mileage if it keeps the motor from bogging.

Not sure how good the "canned" tunes are as far as shift schedules..

I played with shift schedules a lot on my tune to perfect it to my liking. It makes it much more responsive and seamless in nature.

 

[GAINMOB]

i never have my on...so yall are saying to have it on...so o/d around town and no o/d on highway?

 

[toms89]

i never have my on...so yall are saying to have it on...so o/d around town and no o/d on highway?

I believe they are saying the opposite. O/D off around town, O/D on highway.

 

[Thermo]

Freeway, what Tom said.

 

[hammerg26]

Thermo - did I recall correctly what you stated previously???

 

[alaskanexpy]

I believe they are saying the opposite. O/D off around town, O/D on highway.

exactly, mines off at all times except if i'm on the highway for long periods of time.

i could care less about MPG the driveablity means ALOT more to me.

 

[hammerg26]

Sounds like I need to get a tuner finally... Let that search begin. Perhaps I can do that as part of a total tune-up (plugs, COPs, and tuner)... still considering total exhaust makeover (headers, exhaust, etc.)... but I digress into dreamland.

Back on topic: I will see how the drivability / mpg (not that I bought this for that reason) is affected with the OD off.

Another question: Is it a big deal to switch it (the OD) on and off???

 

[toms89]

Sounds like I need to get a tuner finally... Let that search begin. Perhaps I can do that as part of a total tune-up (plugs, COPs, and tuner)... still considering total exhaust makeover (headers, exhaust, etc.)... but I digress into dreamland.

Back on topic: I will see how the drivability / mpg (not that I bought this for that reason) is affected with the OD off.

Another question: Is it a big deal to switch it (the OD) on and off???

As far as durability... No.

Most times I will turn it off before I decide to open her up simply because it is understood among the ford lightning community that it is very hard on the drivetrain for it to down shift 1 or 2 gears out of overdrive while going w.o.t.

 

[mindgame]

i could care less about MPG the driveablity means ALOT more to me.

Amen Bro!!!

 

[toms89]

Amen Bro!!!

I'm greedy. I want my cake and to eat it too!! Would like to have both..

 

[mindgame]

I'm greedy. I want my cake and to eat it too!! Would like to have both..

Well heck.. unscrew your ride!!! You get back the MPG and join the rest of us

 

[alaskanexpy]

I'm greedy. I want my cake and to eat it too!! Would like to have both..

i fully accept i cant have both lol doesn't bother me. if we wanted MPGs we would have escape's right?

 

[mindgame]

AWESOME!!!!!!

 

[toms89]

i fully accept i cant have both lol doesn't bother me. if we wanted MPGs we would have escape's right?

I accept the fact mine will not get the mileage of an escape but I still prefer the best mileage possible considering its mass. Would I alter my driving style significantly purely in pursuit of it... not really. But neither do I have total disregard concerning fuel consumption.

Mine actually averages around 12.5 around town now unless I drive real aggressively. And believe me I am getting up to speed quicker than most. Just not always as quick as it is capable.

As I continue to learn more over time about my particular combination I hope to improve upon both its performance and mileage through small small tweaks and modifications.

 

[Milwaukee]

Bought 99 Expedition eddie Bauer on March 3 with 157k Right now 166K miles

It 5.4L so there were miss issue that never go away after swap coil packs. It just tiny miss randomly.


MPG it wasn't that bad for me. Average 15 mostly in city/hwy. Long HWY it average 18 that when I had bad tires and brake drag.

I notice that I get better mileage if I let overdrive ON.

 

[RollinKaos]

I always drove mine with the OD off. Mainly this came from my time as a tech at the GM dealerships, the 700r4 does not like running in D instead of OD when not towing. Wears that tranny out a lot faster.