O/D on or off?

[Artform]

This topic has probably been beaten to death around here and I have researched it before making this thread but all I got is mixed responses. I want better confirmation from my fellow Z owners.

I have an auto Z32. I always drive it with O/D on (light on the dash is not illuminated for the button) but I was wondering if I'm doing it wrong? Am I suppose to leave it off (light on dash is illuminated and says O/D off) at all times and turn it on at higher speeds? (over 80....) Also, NOTE: I drive city more than highway.

I'm confused. I understand that O/D is your 4th gear and all that good stuff, I just need a really basic answer.

Thanks guys

[SlickRick90TT]

OD off until 60 mph or so. Otherwise it seems to bog down. Havent you noticed a difference in performance? I do in mt TT auto.

[Artform]

Having it on during normal "stop and go traffic" driving definitely bogs the car down. I now do what you said and it feels much better.

Couple of more questions though:

1. If you're driving the car in the city and you decide to drive over 60mph for a minute or two and then let off below that, do you activate it on and off or just leave it off like it is suppose to be?

2. Is turning it on strictly for highway, non-stop cruising?

3. What if I decide to drive below 60mph on the highway for a minute, do I keep switching it on and off when I do decide to eventually speed up?

4. Is it going to f*** up my transmission turning it on and off when it needs to be?

5. Am I saving gas by having it on during highway driving? It seems as if the car wastes more gas on the highway than when I drive in the city?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Having it on during normal "stop and go traffic" driving definitely bogs the car down. I now do what you said and it feels much better.

Couple of more questions though:

1. If you're driving the car in the city and you decide to drive over 60mph for a minute or two and then let off below that, do you activate it on and off or just leave it off like it is suppose to be?

2. Is turning it on strictly for highway, non-stop cruising?

3. What if I decide to drive below 60mph on the highway for a minute, do I keep switching it on and off when I do decide to eventually speed up?

4. Is it going to f*** up my transmission turning it on and off when it needs to be?

5. Am I saving gas by having it on during highway driving? It seems as if the car wastes more gas on the highway than when I drive in the city?

1. It's not going to mess up anything by leaving it on, or shutting it off. Off = worse gas mileage if you leave it off while crusing. On = better mileage, worse pep in the city. Think of it as a lame-o "turbo" button. You need more power/torque, shut it off. Example; cruising at 70 on the highway, car infront is slow. Downshift (take OD off) to get the engine into a higher RPM range, thus making more power. Pass slow car, turn OD back on.

Just be sure you stay on top of your transmission flush intervals and you'll be fine. Do a complete flush with a quality ATF such as Amsoil and your transmission will last a very long time.

[Khronik]

my last Z32 was a 91/auto, I would turn it off in the city and like BigT said on cruisin the highways or higher speeds.

I lived in a small town so most roads didnt hit 50, I would turn it on after about 40, on the highway bout the same as BigT said but it just got a fresh rebuilt engine and with it on over 50 didnt seem to impact torque too much if i remember right

i know for a fact one time goin down the highway some car pulled up next to me at about 60-65 and wanted to see it run, punched it and hit 110 in no time with OD on.

best bet id say is if you know youre not going to be drivin on any roads over 50-60 just keep it off

[BigTDogg (MA)]

i know for a fact one time goin down the highway some car pulled up next to me at about 60-65 and wanted to see it run, punched it and hit 110 in no time with OD on.

Exactly, that's your "kickdown" switch. When you floor the accel, it tells the ECU that you want more power, so the transmission downshifts to 3rd for you automatically, hence the name of the transmission.

You always want OD on. Except for the examples I just gave. You can always floor it, but taking OD off and modulating the throttle gives you more manual control.