Overdrive Button?

[Greywolf]

Hi all,

I was reading the thread on the subject of the Power/ECT button on or off difference?

Which has been covered pretty well, can anyone elaborate on the Overdrive button on the Auto gear lever,

what is the differences and advantages and best driving style in or out??

LS400 by the way.

Thanks in anticipation.

Best Regards,

Greywolf.

[peter026]

The overdrive button, in effect gives you an extra gear, driving with it off, the engine will be using higher rev's thus increasing the mpg.

It is recommended that when towing, the overdrive is switched off.

[Anduril]

The overdrive button, in effect gives you an extra gear, driving with it off, the engine will be using higher rev's thus increasing the mpg.

It is recommended that when towing, the overdrive is switched off.

I think you mean "DECREASING the mpg".

Example:

In a 4-speed auto box, the overdrive button will disable the top (4th) gear, so the autobox will never change into that gear - useful for overtaking on A roads as when you depress the button the car immediately will change down from 4th to 3rd (e.g. if you're doing a steady 40-45 behind a lorry) giving you more oomph to overtake.

[peter026]

Yup DECREASING ...........I know what I meant :P

[BigJon]

Yes the owners manual advises you always drive with overdrive engaged to improve fuel cosumption and reduce engine wear, due to a lower rpm.

BigJon

[maneesh]

Since the LS has no engine braking, I used to use the Overdrive button to help slow down before speed cameras.

[ROYT]

Glad you said that about no engine braking, When I first got the car I thought it was a fault.

Does yours drive itself with the air con on? :o

[steve2006]

Since the LS has no engine braking, I used to use the Overdrive button to help slow down before speed cameras.

And to accelerate more quickly after passing them!!!!!!!

[maneesh]

Glad you said that about no engine braking, When I first got the car I thought it was a fault.

gs and ls designed to "freewheel" hence the fact that gs and ls owners go thru brake pads pretty quickly, and fuel economy on a run can be 30mpg upwards.

[Parthiban]

Glad you said that about no engine braking, When I first got the car I thought it was a fault.

What do you mean no engine braking? Does it come out of gear then when you're off the accelerator? :duh:

[maneesh]

Glad you said that about no engine braking, When I first got the car I thought it was a fault.

What do you mean no engine braking? Does it come out of gear then when you're off the accelerator? :duh:

Nope, it stays in gear. It's just that with most cars with autos have engine braking kick in once you take your foot off the gas, helps slow the car down and all that. With the GS and LS setup, the engine doesnt offer any braking, there is a freewheeling effect, and often on a flat road, the car just keeps going even after taking pedal off the gas. This means you end up using your brakes a lot more to help slow the car down, especially on hilly roads. The upside tho is the fact that the LS and GS can be reasonably economical for their size when cruising on motorways.

I can't recall whether IS autos are setup the same way.