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Activating Overdrive 2002 Xterra

7K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  pvfjr 
#1 ·
I just got a 2002 Xterra and I am not sure how to activate the overdrive. When I turn the truck on, I see an indicator light that comes on and it says " OD OFF". Than when I drive the truck I try hitting the OD button on my shifter knob and nothing happens. Is there supposed to be an indicator light that comes on when I push the OD button. also, when is overdrive supposed to be used. Is this only for traveling at high speeds. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
 
#2 ·
welcome to the club

no you dont use over drive at high speeds..... and yes there should be a light that comes on when you press the button on the shifter.... do this for me, cruze down th road around 25-30 mph, now push the button. what dose it do?????
 
#4 ·
overdrive is best used at speeds over 30mph(but it can be left on below, wont hurt anything but you mpg a little),
you prob shouldnt use it when driving down very hilly roads,
and never ever use it when towing

there is only an indicator light when the OD is OFF
 
#5 ·
The OD OFF lamp will test light on startup after that it remains off (the light). Default is OD ON after start up. If you drive down the road at about 45mph and push the OD button the OD OFF light should come on and you should feel the transmission downshift.
The only time I have OD OFF (light on) is when I'm towing and the load is on i.e. uphill, into the wind etc. If it is flat or downhill I have the OD ON(light off).
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ricer-X said:
and never ever use it when towing
dustin i am going to have to call you out on this one.... you want to use the od if you are towing anything......

wikipedia said:
Usage

Generally speaking, overdrive (OD) is the highest gear in the transmission. Most automatic transmissions have three speeds and overdrive (fourth speed). Overdrive allows the engine to operate at a lower rpm for a given road speed. This allows the vehicle to realize better fuel efficiency, and often quieter operation on the highway. When it is switched on, the transmission can shift into overdrive mode after a certain speed is reached (usually 70+ km/h [45+ mph] depending on the load). When it is off, the transmission shifting is limited to the lower gears. For normal driving conditions, operation of the overdrive should be enabled only if the average speed is above 70 km/h (approx. 43 MPH).
It may be necessary to switch it off if the vehicle is being operated in a mountainous area.
The automatic transmission automatically shifts from OD to third gear when more load is present. When less load is present, it shifts back to OD. Under certain conditions, for example driving uphill or towing a trailer, the transmission may "hunt" between OD and the third gear, shifting back and forth. In this case, switching it off can help the transmission to 'decide'. It may also be advantageous to switch it off if engine braking is desired, for example when driving downhill. The vehicle's owner's manual will often contain information and suitable procedures regarding such situations, for each given vehicle.
 
#8 ·
i dont know if this is correct or not but i was told that all OD does is make your fuel economy better and makes your car over gear slowing the motor speed resulting in a longer lasting engine... mine is off evertime i turn my car on and clicks on when i get over 5 mph...
 
#9 ·
overdrive should never be turn off unless car is under a very heavy load like hualing/towing somthing or goin up very very steep long hill....
 
#10 ·
json3904 said:
dustin i am going to have to call you out on this one.... you want to use the od if you are towing anything......
oops, i hit edit in stead of quote, thats why it says i edited yo post json, but anyway

nay sir
read what you just posted again, you dont use overdrive when towing, its a weak gear, not meant for any load but the vehicles weight on level ground
if you arent supposed to use it on hills why the hell would you use it when towing a bunch of weight?
what you posted merely confirms what i said

using OD when towing not only will kill your gas mileage, and it will shorten the life of your tranny drastically bc the tranny will be constantly shifting in and out of overdrive.... just like it says in your post
 
#11 ·
Ditto for Ricer-X. All the new trucks made by the big three all come with a "Tow Mode" now too, where the computer raises the shift points for all the gears, which essentially leaves it out of OD the whole time.
 
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