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| I am a newb to fishing and boat towing.... well towing anything in general. Just a quick question... on my shifter there is a button I can push in. It has a towing icon that comes up on the dashboard. What exactly does hitting this button do, does it put the truck into a different mode? Also, when should I be using this? Should I use it whenever I am towing, just while towing on the free way, just off the free way? Like I said I am new to this and hopefully someone can help me out..... |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | What truck do you have? In the 2009 F350 I drive for work, it still shifts into overdrive, and acts as an engine brake when slowing down. On my late 90's Dodge, it keeps it from shifting into overdrive, thus reducing downshifting all the time, and keeping the rpm's up a little more. If you towing something light, its not a big deal. I use it when pulling heavier loads. |
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| Pushing the button turns off overdrive, causing your vehicle to cruise at higher RPMs and shift less when going up or down hills or accelerating. That's probably an awful explanation and someone that's more vehicle-savvy will be able to explain that better, but suffice it to say in the long run it will wear less on your transmission, but in the short-term your fuel mileage will suffer because you're running at higher RPMs more.
Personally, when anything is attached to my trailer hitch I turn overdrive off. If you're pulling a little 12' aluminum with a Ram 2500 (even a 1500) or similar I wouldn't be too concerned about turning overdrive off. If you can lift the tongue of the boat onto the trailer hitch without breaking your back you probably don't have to have overdrive off, especially if you aren't trailering long distances or planning to get out an absurd amount. |
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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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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Newb - 3/13/2012 7:39 PM
I am a newb to fishing and boat towing.... well towing anything in general. Just a quick question... on my shifter there is a button I can push in. It has a towing icon that comes up on the dashboard. What exactly does hitting this button do, does it put the truck into a different mode? Also, when should I be using this? Should I use it whenever I am towing, just while towing on the free way, just off the free way? Like I said I am new to this and hopefully someone can help me out.....
Do You know how to read? If so read your truck's manual Duh.!! Is your other car a Preis? |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Real men don't read manuals when they can just ask a question. Besides the manual is in the glove box and I'm on the couch. I had the oil changed on my truck recently and told the dealer my rear window defroster was not working and I don't think it had ever worked. He said I didn't have rear window defrosters . I said I had a switch. I felt a bit stupid when he told me that was for my mirrors. But I got over it. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Top H2O - 3/13/2012 11:37 PM
Do You know how to read? If so read your truck's manual Duh.!! Is your other car a Preis?
the point gets lost in your spelling prowess
Edited by jonnysled 3/14/2012 7:55 AM
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Posts: 303
Location: Not where I want to be! | With the icon on the dash it sounds like you have a Chevy or GMC. If so when the icon is lite it is in the "tow/haul" mode. This has nothing to do with overdrive on a GM product. What it does is change the shifting patterns of the transmission based on the weight your towing. The trans senses the resistance. Always use tow/haul when towing. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | wavridr is correct. Dodge's are like this as well and possibly all brands now. It will depend on terrain and how much weight you are towing. I often tow without the transmission in tow/haul on my truck. I do not worry about it when it is not downshifting. |
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Posts: 208
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Like wavridr said on gm products it doesn't stop the trans from going into over drive. It does increase the line pressure in the tranny and raise the shift rpm. With the higher pressure you will notice it hits the gears harder thus less slipping of the clutches during the shift preventing clutch wear. I use mine only when getting onto and staying on a highway. I dont like the way it shifts in town with it on. I have to go 40mph before it will shift into 3rd gear
As far as Dodges go all I know is that my 97 ram and 2000 durango just had an overdrive off button. I always left it in OD unless I noticed it shifting alot then I took it out. Better fuel milage that way and your engine isnt turning at 3000 rpm going down the highway.
The new gm tow haul mode is awsome. It actually down shifts when slowing down and acts as an engine break. |
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