Mud-club
Vehicle & Technical => Toyota => Topic started by: Andy. on February 23, 2005, 21:32:48
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Question again regarding the wifes mates 4 Runner.
Today in this weather she was driving up a slope (she said hill) and started to slide. She pressed a button on the side of the main gear lever (it's an auto) and on dash a light came up saying 'over drive off' :?:
So what does this mean :?:
How should the vehicle be driven in normal conditions, with over drive or not :?:
She was in normal drive at the time and not in low box.
Any advice welcome please :wink:
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An overdrive is like a fifth gear but bolted to each gear so you can go 1st, 1st overdrive, 2nd, 2nd overdrive, 3rd, 3rd overdrive etc etc (I think!)
More useful on motorway driving tho - not sure what difference it would have made to whether the car was slipping or not unless it was in too high a gear with the overdrive on?
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Had a toyota lite ace, which was auto with this overdrive switch on, all mine did was remove the extra gear, stops it hitting a too higher gear if the wheels start spinning, the gearbox thinks its time to change up again
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OK, I've got a Surf (Jap version of the 4Runner). The OverDrive (as already mentioned) is basically just another gear.
I tend to drive around town with it turned off as it allows the engine to rev a bit higher, thus meaning it doesn't labour too much (which improves economy a bit). Once speeds consistently get over 40 I always have overdrive on as it allows the engine to run at a lower speed and thus more economically. It also allows the torque converter to lock up giving a bit more economy.
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Overdrive Off- is also usefull for towing and going up long hills. It won't help pressing that particular button on a slippy slope- engaging 4WD (the big button on the Hi-LO lever) would!
Nevillef
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Andy, I've tested it on and off and never found it made much difference to MPG or handling other than when towing up a steep hill with a heavy load.
It wont make any difference to sliding on the snow. That is more likely due to a combination of tyres, road condition and driving. I find my BFG A/T's are excellent in snow and ice, but in very icy conditions I do pop it into 4wd (make sure it really is icy though or you will wind up the transmission by driving on Tarmac with no slip.
:D
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Cheers Linda and everyone else for the info, I'll pass on your comments.