GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Is there a real purpose for the overdrive button or a good time to use it? Because i never use it. Does anyone here use it?

When you're fighting bad guys it helps get you away faster and with more blue sparks.

I use it all the time. on exit ramps so i don't have to use the brakes as much. On entrance ramps to get up to speed quicker. I'll even go as far as to downshift in to 2nd gear for more control and speed

I remember this topic, search will find them for you. here is probably the best one.http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=2i think it all comes down to this:1. if you want max gas mileage leave it off. 2. if you want a little more pep turn it on.

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »i think it all comes down to this:1. if you want max gas mileage leave it off. 2. if you want a little more pep turn it on.Reversed?O/D OFF downshifts into 3rd gear, so I keep it on (pressed in) most of the time for fuel economy.

ian, you really should use it all the time, especially in hilly regions like PA. Whenever you hear/feel your transmission struggling to get up inclines, you should hit the button to releave the car of its pain. Just remember to turn the OD back on again. It is very difficult to see the yellow light. The car will reset to OD on when you turn the engine off. The new gen Vibe no longer has this function (thank goodness) since the engine is slightly modified and I'm assuming they did the same tweeking with the tranny. Good day sir.

Thanks!

Quote, originally posted by ehoff121 »Reversed?O/D OFF downshifts into 3rd gear, so I keep it on (pressed in) most of the time for fuel economy.o.k. 1. when you want gas mileage leave the little button alone. 2. when you want more power push the little button on the automatic shift handle so the o/d shows up as a little light on insturment cluster.hows that?

Overdrive is simply a higher gear. You should use it on the highway so that your rpm will drop. Do not use it for towing, if you use it going up a hill your vehicle will probably just kick down a gear anyway.

I use mine just like keithvibe does. I use it to use the motor to slow down. Makes it easier on your brakes.

As a rule, you should avoid purposeful engine braking, i.e. shifting into a lower gear to slow down your car. This would include switching overdrive off to force your car into a lower gear.First, engine braking adds unnecessary wear to your whole drivetrain. Replacing worn brake parts is way cheaper (both parts and labor) than replacing anything along your drivetrain. Second, engine braking increases your fuel consumption.The only condition under which it would probably make sense to use engine braking is when descending a very steep and/or long hill on which you will be forced to ride your brakes. This would be in order to prevent dangerous heat build up in your brakes. You would want to start engine braking before you accelerate down the hill in order to maintain a safe rate of descent as opposed to slowing down from speed and then starting the engine braking procedure. For slowing down off the freeway, keep overdrive on and let your vehicle slow down naturally. Once you hit the offramp, just release the gas. This is, in fact, still engine braking but it's more of a passive form and very economical as opposed to actively using your engine's compression stroke to slow the car.

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »o.k. 1. when you want gas mileage leave the little button alone. 2. when you want more power push the little button on the automatic shift handle so the o/d shows up as a little light on insturment cluster.hows that?