Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) In town driving

[pullya]

I was told by a salesman(???) that while driving my 02 dodge diesel 3/4 T 4x4 automatic in town, below 50 mph, I should drive in 3rd gear instead of overdrive. He said it would not put as much strain on the transmission and I would get better mileage because the egine would not work as hard. Is this true or is it one of those things like lowering the front of your truck to get better gas mileage because your always going down hill???? YA RIGHT!!!

 

[lizzyhermit]

I always turn OD off in town as it keeps the revs up and the AT happier with the increased pressures. BTW, it also helps getting into the next lane quicker as there is no lag to getting out of OD.

 

[hammersley]

What is in-town?

He's onto something IMO. In fact I wish the default for the OD button was Off rather than on. I might add that there are threads on how to do this. As a general rule, the way I drive, (110,000 on my 01) , if you're running stop light to stoplight, keep the OD button off! If you get where you'er above 40mph, push in the botton and use OD. Often in town driving is on the freeway, or high speed 45+ routes where OD should be used. By keeping the OD off also stops any hunting on steep hills that you might be going very slow... ...

 

[pullya]

Sometimes on the freeway down here the top speed is way under 45mph. If your real lucky and when the rush hour is done you may get up to 60-65. I was referring to stop lite to stop lite so thanks for the info--I know that my new truck will appricate it too!

 

[KatDiesel]

Milage... . not sure if it would yield better milage.



It will be easier on your transmission in the long run.



I keep overdrive OFF under 55mph... ... ... and I have 4. 10's.

 

[tking]

You guys talking about running empty? I can't see popping out the OD when farting around in town unloaded.

 

[HTRDHLR]

http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/transmission/OD_inverter.html

 

[Steve M]

My 01. 5 won't even go into O/D under 40mph. At 45mph it'll go into O/D if I let off the loud peddle for a moment. Around town I just leave O/D on and it never gets to O/D until I get over 40mph and tell it to with the peddle. I've read of a TSB on this "problem" but I think it's a good program to have. Like having tow mode on all the time. If I'm towing it'll stay out of O/D until about 55-60mph or if I let off the peddle. If I'm on a long stretch of 45mph flat land and no work for the transmission, I'll let it go into O/D and ease along at 1250rpm. If I need to speed up or climb a slight incline, a light nudge of the loud peddle will shift it out of O/D or I'll hit the O/D button. If mine is set up wrong, I sure like it that way!

 

[Crazy Horse]

pullya,

Your salesman is quoting right out of the owners manual. And it's some of the best advice he can give you! And the single biggest piece of advice is: keep it out when towing or carrying a heavy load. This is right out of the owners manual, something everyone should read before being allowed to purchase a vehicle.

 

[hammersley]

HTRDHLR - that's the page

HTRDHLR - thanks - that's it... .

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by tking

You guys talking about running empty? I can't see popping out the OD when farting around in town unloaded.

Yes I was talking empty. I don't tow.

 

[tking]

Isn't the hole point of an automatic trans to be automatic.



I have no problem going 45mph locked up. I realize the trans can be a weak link, but if it can't handle moving my unloaded truck, I think we're all in trouble.



Maybe I'll be singing a different tune when I post the 'My trans in slipping" thread.

 

[stownsend]

I tried that trick for a month or so, turn off OD while puttin around town. It didn't make a bit of difference on the fuel mileage. The only advantage I can see is the transmission won't be shifting quite so often. But if it isn't under load, it isn't going to matter very much. The only time to really manage the OD is when your towing.



I had my OD off one day when I was driving around town, forgot and jumped on the freeway. Didn't realize until RPM's were up around 2500 and the transmission wasn't shifting. Kinda freaked me out until I realized that the truck was only doing what I told it to.

 

[Cummins4Life]

I keep OD locked out till at least 55mph. Personal preference.

 

[98rammer]

mystery switch for the tc to stay unlocked... just did mine today!

 

[fredflinstone]

I would have top agree that keeping the truck out of overdrive in town is a wise idea. I work in a shop and we end up doing alot of transmissions that have lost overdrive or eaten the entire transmission mostly due to people leaving their overdrive on in town. This does cause alote of strain on your transmission and heats up the fluid fast. Plus you have to remember the two seemingly weakest parts of your transmission are the overdrive and your torqe converter clutch. It's just my oppinion having done many transmissions for other people yet having never had one go bad on my personal vehicles that it just makes good sense to take the time to press the button! Seth