Overdrive Questions

[trevino33]

Hello everyone,

I drive a 2006 TJ X on 33's with a 3 inch suspension lift and 1.25 body lift with stock gears. I have a question about overdrive and highway driving. Should I turn on OD when driving 50mph+? Is the overdrive on when the light is on, on the switch? I ask this because when I drive on the interstate, my cruise control is very inconsistent. It constantly shifts gears and the RPMs are always going up and down. I am still a new Jeep owner and would like to regear at some point but am still in college and dont have the money to do so. Any info is greatly appreactiated.

 

[rjinaz86323]

if the light is on overdrive is off. Drive by your tach. Your Jeep will do better if you keep the rpm's around 2500 or better. Use that to determine if you should use OD or not. I wish there was a way to make it default to OD off on startup.

 

[trevino33]

if the light is on overdrive is off. Drive by your tach. Your Jeep will do better if you keep the rpm's around 2500 or better. Use that to determine if you should use OD or not. I wish there was a way to make it default to OD off on startup.

Thanks for responding,

Yeah as of now my RPMS sit at about 1700 at 65 with OD on (light off) and I am getting around 12 mpg haha not too worried about MPG tho as I didn't- buy it for its fuel economy but it would be nice to hit even 13 or 14

 

[DaveC]

^^ Spot-on. Either get in the habit of turning off the OD when you first get into the Jeep or go by your tach. For me, that's OD on when in town (typically 45 mph or less and flat) and OD off when on the highway unless on a downhill stretch or a flat stretch and already up to 60 or better. This'll help your gas mileage too!

 

[thekevin]

What is the point of having OD on in town? I normally keep mine off if under 60mph and on if over 60mph. 4.0 with 31s and 3.73s.

 

[AndyG]

What is the point of having OD on in town? I normally keep mine off if under 60mph and on if over 60mph. 4.0 with 31s and 3.73s.

None that I can think of.
Some guys really understand the torque converter lock up and all that...I keep mine off almost all the time.

 

[LONGJP2]

Overdrive is normally ON at startup so the transmission can access 4th gear. If you don't want it to shift up (into fourth), then turn it off with the switch. Normally done at speeds below 65 to keep the RPM up.
Your results will vary.

I would not recommend using cruise very often. There's not enough power to compensate for hills and wind without constantly lugging the engine, or downshifting and/or slipping the torque converter to increase RPM.

 

[thekevin]

Ok, that is what I thought. I was just wanting to make sure I wasn't missing something. I wish the 42rle had something similar to a tow/haul mode that would keep it from shifting up so fast. Mine will get into 3rd way to early for my liking.

 

[Hokahay]

Breaking news! This just in! I have 33" tires and 5.13 gears with a 42RLE.

I dis-engage the OD all the time lugging around town.

ProTip: It's no big deal.

That's just the way we roll in the shire.