Over Drive and Gear Question

[Vinh Le]

I have an automatic 1998 Toyota RAV4. On the dashboard area there the word O/D OFF when this word is light up does that mean over drive is off or on? When do you use the over drive? Also (the gear like P R N D) when do you use the gear 2 and geal L?

[cis]

Use the search for function...... There are at least 2 or more on this topic :)

[Vinh Le]

Use the search for function...... There are at least 2 or more on this topic :)
i did and didn't find any.

[lowlife4ever]

OverDrive improve engine efficiency, it has faster speed output than input speed, what i mean by that is when you driving down a street, your RPM indicate 3000 rpm, once you engage overdrive, your RPM will reduce by 2/3 which 2000 rpm (note: this is ideally number, it slightly different from car to car), but your car still achieve the same speed at 3000 rpm, doing this to save more gas mileage, overdrive mostly design to use for freeway, but you could use anytime you want and mostly depend on you,

about the gear:
P for Parking
R for Reverse (go backward)
N for Neutral
D for Drive (go forward, if your car have 4-speed automatic, then this gear also known as D4), this gear use for normal driving
D-3, some said use for freeway, I never use it so who care
2 don't use it, why bother to know
L for I don't know

[seanguyen]

For 4 speed automatic and according to what lowlife4ever said then D would be the OverDrive, D3 is one step behind (I mean 1 gear behind), 2 - use only 2 gears and L - Low is the lowest gear, or the very first gear

[seanguyen]

I have an automatic 1998 Toyota RAV4. On the dashboard area there the word O/D OFF when this word is light up does that mean over drive is off or on? When do you use the over drive? Also (the gear like P R N D) when do you use the gear 2 and geal L?
1. O/D OFF is light on means it is OFF, turn it ON then
2. Use this option when you are on high speed (don't care on the freeway or local road 'cuz I know someone driving like nut in the local street anyway), better turn ON all the times.
3. When using gear 2 or L? When you need more power, I mean your car needs power not speed. For example: climbing up the hill, climbing up the pass, go down the pass (very very important) other meaning is when you go up or down hill with a high slope. Get your car out of snow, icy.

[Vinh Le]

This is the response I got form Toyota.

"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.


We appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your inquiry.

The overdrive off (O/D OFF) indicator light shows the overdrive switch is in the off position. You should always turn the overdrive switch on for better fuel economy and quieter driving. The ”2” and ”L” positions are used for strong engine braking. With the selector lever in ”2” or ”L”, you can start the vehicle in motion as with the lever in ”D”."

[icce007]

Pretty much as they said...but for a better view...thinking of it as a manual drive...
L is 1st Gear
2 is 2nd Gear
D3 is 3rd Gear
and D4 is 4th... depend on which tranmission (some tranny have 5 speed instead of 4)

and as for engine braking...similiar term is downshifting... better braking for handling purpose...
also Overdrive (or 5th gear) usually dont kick in until you drive over 40mph....other wise stay the same...so just leave it on, save you on mileage...

[danieltrant]

I think you got most of the information from Toyota and those replied. I want to add few more info:

2 - Second gear - You need to use to slow down your vehicle if you go down on a steep slope. If you drive in Colorado area you will understand ( e.g down hill on the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70). You want to use this instead of using your brake and save the brake pads.

L- 1st Gear - You want to use if you go off road (not very good for your RAV4 though since the engine is too small) or if you stuck on the snow an want to get out.

Overdrive - You want to use it all the time to save gas. I only turn it off when there is a snow storm or the road condition is too slippery.

Just remember when you use a lower gear, you can reduce the vehicle acceleration and how a better traction control but it will cost you more gas.