95toy4runner

should i have this on or off? when is there a time to turn it on and a time to keep it off?

bike4miles

Turn it off if you have a major mountail pass to do so you wount lug the engine on a steap grade, that is, unless you plan to go 70 up the hill. Any other time, I would leave it in overdrive. You will gett better freway milage that way (will run at lower rpms)

Marc P

I leave my o/d on all the time--the only time I turn it off is when I am going up a grade and the trans keeps shifting in and out of o/d.

95toy4runner

does having overdrive on give less mileage?

95toy4runner

is it better in the city to use overdrive??? and is it better on the highway to use overdrive?

ctcost

Leave it on most of the time unless you need that extra kick. Turning it off will use more gas. Overdrive is merely 4th gear (at least in 2nd gen Runners. There maybe a 5th in later models, I don't know)...Having the overdrive switch on just allows the tranny to shift into top gear.

Now, that being said I use a combination of overdrive on, off and ect on and off depending on how much extra kick i need...The ECT button allows the transmiccion to shift at a higher RPM (seems to be roughly 1000-1200 RPMs higher than normal. It raises the RPM level at which the transmission will shift to the next gear)...So when you have a heavy load you can get through the gears with more torque).

I would'nt turn off the overdrive going an faster than say 70-75...And only for short periods at that speed because to are revving the engine at at least 4000-4500 RPMs at that speed. That's not good for the motor as pressures get high and you could blow a head gasket.

You can use the overdrive button to slow down going downhill without braking as much, or going uphill to get a little extra kick. If you really need more uphill kick, turn off the overdirve and ECT and hit the gas

95toy4runner

haha really stupid question...so turning it on it will say something in the dashboard (sorry i ask this but i have never used it and now your saying to always use it, exp. over 70 mph....

95toy4runner

i wish i had a manual....

ctcost

Think of an automatic as a manual that shifts by itself. overdrive just allows the tranny to shift into 4th gear.

ruble5050

So when yon need an extra kick I should Turn off O/D so that the dashboard says O/D OFF. Should the ECT be in normal or power for more kick?

I read that when the ECT power is on you van get a faster acceleration from a stop because there is more RPMs is this true?

Last is it bad to switch from 4WD HIGH Gear to 2WD at about 25 mph?

Thank you in advance for answering

Cxrazy

O/D just puts you into your top gear (kindof) so use it when you maintain a speed on the highway, as it keeps your car going at a faster speed but at lower RPM's since its shifted into that gear, and therefore you get better gas milage because your car isn't working as hard. Turning it off is useful when going up a hill because the hill makes your car go in and out of that O/D gear which fluctuates your speed and can be annoying. I turn mine off on hills.


The ETC Power changes your shift points in your transmission. Where it would usually change gears at 2500rpms when accelerating, now it changes at 3500. (example) So it makes sense that you would accelerate faster, but I've never timed myself with/without.


I believe its fine if your around 25mph. Consult your manual though. I'm sure someone else can chime in, as I don't have my manual either...

4runnit

the card on my drivers side sun visor says its okay to shift in or out of 4WD HIGH to 2WD up to 50 miles per hour. however, i wouldnt reccomend doing more than 25 miles per hour

Team420

I dont shift into or out of 4x4 unless i am at a dead stop.. i know you can but it just makes me feel better about it if im not moving.. less chance of something breaking

4runnit

yeah i agree with that. i dont usually shift into or out of 4WD unless im stopped. but usually when i need 4WD im already stuck