Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi Everyone,
As already been stated, the button will take the transmission out of overdrive. What this does overall is keep the transmission in a lower gear, which makes the engine work less to turn the transmission, and, due to higher RPM's being turned by the motor, circulates antifreeze and transmission fluid faster given you have a transmission cooler installed on the vehicle. With the increase in circulation, you run less risk of burning your transmission fluid as more flow usually helps keep the transmission running cooler as well as the engine due to the same increased flow of antifreeze through the block.
Running out of overdrive also helps keep shifting to a mininum on hills, which not only is a pain in the rear when downshifting continues to happen, but it is tough on the transmission as well.
Granted, running higher RPM's will lower your gas mileage, it is small pennies to pay to save wear on your transmission.
I have a 2003 Ram with a first generation HEMI in it, and have yet to see any issues with my transmission after 209,000 on the road, many of those miles pulling a boat, a snowmobile/ATV, or a 5th wheel camper. And...(as many would chastise me for this and don't get me wrong... I am definitely not proud of this either)...I have not ever had the transmission fluid changed, nor the filter.
I do feel part of the longevity of the transmission is due to running it correctly while towing, which is usually out of overdrive, save very very long stretches of flat roadway. Roads like that are not very common in MN until you get into the northwest area of the state, but usually when I have been in that area, I'm loaded down for a trip to Manitoba.
Best to eat some gas mileage which will hopefully save you $$ in repairs.
Steve
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