OD Off means that the Overdrive feature in your car is turned off. Overdrive represents the last gear in an automatic transmission. When it’s turned off, it means that the car will not kick into that gear until the feature is turned back on.
Ideally, an automatic transmission shifts into higher gears as the car accelerates. This causes the engine to rev higher to provide the power needed to maintain speed. As a result, more fuel is burned.
The OD Off feature restricts the transmission from going into the highest gears. This allows the car to maintain speeds of less than 40 – 45 mph or 70 km/h. You get better fuel economy when driving below highway speeds.
Should I drive with OD on or off?
Some modern vehicles can turn the overdrive feature on and off automatically depending on the engine load. The computer is smart enough to know when it is needed. However, the OD button can be very beneficial in some situations.
Fuel economy and steep climbs
You can leave OD on when you want to achieve quieter rides and better fuel economy while driving on the highway. You can turn it off when climbing a gentle slope. The transmission is known to sometimes jump between 3rd gear and overdrive when going up.
Turning OD off allows the engine to stay in one gear (third gear) which provides enough torque for climbing. It also prevents the transmission from problematically shifting to a higher gear as the vehicle ascends. This is important, especially when towing.
In an automatic car, this is supposed to happen without the driver’s intervention. However, slight changes in the slope can cause the transmission to jump out of OD. This is common especially when cars try to go up a slippery slope in winter.
When the tires lose traction, it’s only natural for the driver to step on the accelerator to give the car more power. This can cause wheelspin which will then force the transmission to go up a gear. It’s dangerous and can lead to a loss of control.
Steep descents
You may also want to turn OD off when descending a steep slope. In normal situations, the car tends to go down very quickly. The only way to slow it down is to use your brakes. This can cause the brake components to overheat, wear, and fade momentarily due to friction.
Turning overdrive off ensures the vehicle stays in a lower gear (3rd gear) and doesn’t increase its speed. It also allows for engine braking where you can slow down the car by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator and selecting “low” mode in your automatic transmission.
It eliminates the need to keep pushing on the brake pedal and relieves pressure off your brakes. You should also turn off OD if the light is blinking on the dashboard. This is usually a sign that there is a problem within the system that needs to be checked.
Why is my car OD off?
The OD Off light on your dashboard shows that the overdrive feature has been turned off. You may have pushed on the button accidentally.
The button is normally located on the gear shifter in most cars. Check the side of the shifter just below the main shifter button. Pushing it turns the OD off or on in an automatic car.
How do you activate OD on a car?
The overdrive feature is active by default in an automatic transmission. This is because it should stay on in most driving situations. It gives the transmission the freedom to use all the gears including the highest one.
If you have the OD Off message on your dashboard, it means that the OD Off button has been pushed. Locate it on the gear shifter and turn it on.
Overdrive helps to maximize fuel efficiency and keep road noise and vibration at tolerable levels.
Does OD make your car faster?
When you switch off overdrive in your car, the engine’s speed drops. This helps to save fuel and eliminate unnecessary wear. You can drive at high speed with less engine revving.
When overdrive is on, it has no effect on acceleration. The vehicle will shift as it should when you accelerate. It only gives the transmission access to the highest gear. The engine speed can be higher but with lower fuel economy.
