Essentially, overdrive is your vehicle’s top gear. Designed for high-speed cruising, overdrive allows your engine to run at relatively low RPMs while your vehicle travels at rapid freeway speeds. The result is an incredibly efficient way to conserve fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle’s drivetrain and components. Plus, road-going noise is cut dramatically as the engine is under less strain and running slower.
Overdrive’s Underbelly
The main drawback to the overdrive set up is the loss of engine torque. Your engine’s lower RPM range is usually not where the torque is produced, and the extra-high gearing relies heavily on your vehicle’s momentum to operate efficiently. This is usually not a problem since overdrive is used specifically on flat stretches of road where long, sustained runs are in order. During towing, on hilly roads and city driving, the overdrive is usually never engaged since these driving activities require more torque from your engine.
In the BeginningIn the old days of motoring, cars had three or four gears at the most. As roads got better and cars got faster and nimbler, drivers felt the need for higher gears. The first overdrives were ancillary units bolted to the side of the original transmission that were engaged mechanically. Though this style can still be found today, it is usually reserved for large trucks and heavy haulers.
Modern OverdriveModern overdrive units are for the most part built right into the automatic transmission. Now, most automatic transmission vehicles come equipped with overdrive from the factory, as it is no longer an option. Though common in modern vehicles, overdrive systems still require an astounding number of moving parts along with a complex system of gears and actuators. The most common
drivetrain parts to fail include the Overdrive Bearing, Overdrive Relay, Overdrive Solenoid and the Overdrive Switch. And, if your overdrive is underperforming, AutoAnything is the place to get your replacement overdrive parts, accessories and components.
Common Overdrive Parts
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