OVERDRIVE OFF during highway acceleration

[Qashqai]

While looking at the owners manual, I saw the part about the LOW function of the transmission. I always though it can be used to go uphill, or to accelerate when the road is slippery. But in the manual it says it can be used when turning sharp corners?

Seriously? did anyone uses this function?

By the way, although the manual says "OVERDRIVE OFF function can be used to reinforce engine breaking", I sometimes use it while entering a busy highway, at the acceleration lane. Am I doing something right? The car becomes more powerful (actually the car becomes like a normal car) and I accelerate quickly, then as soon as I reach the max. speed limit, I turned the OVERDRIVE on again?

[TaiLuu]

You could overheat the Torque converter with over drive off, Because It locks up the torqure converter I believe.
You could turn it off, but not All the time.
I plan to turn it off a lot during the winter when I Lock up my tires on some black ice.

[engraverwilliam]

I tend to use it for regaining my momentum going uphill like when someone changes lanes in front of you causing you to have to let up on the peddle. (Drop OD get back momentum then re-engage.) Sometimes I will use it on side streets, or heavy traffic to avoid the low-speed lurching.

[kerrton]

While looking at the owners manual, I saw the part about the LOW function of the transmission. I always though it can be used to go uphill, or to accelerate when the road is slippery. But in the manual it says it can be used when turning sharp corners?

Seriously? did anyone uses this function?

By the way, although the manual says "OVERDRIVE OFF function can be used to reinforce engine breaking", I sometimes use it while entering a busy highway, at the acceleration lane. Am I doing something right? The car becomes more powerful (actually the car becomes like a normal car) and I accelerate quickly, then as soon as I reach the max. speed limit, I turned the OVERDRIVE on again?

I see nothing wrong with using this function as you have described, if you feel it is a benefit and/or it is a preference of yours. I would not worry about excessive stress or wear on your drivetrain from using this function, actually by using this function you are causing the CVT transmission to select a lower gear ratio, and this actually places less stress on the engine and trans. Lower gearing results in higher rpms but less stress, it can be counterintuitive but it is true.

Normally the overdrive off function is as described in the manual, to be used when you want to safely decelerate such as when approaching a sharp turn too fast, and you don't want to use your brakes for fear of skidding. This is a driver preference, and it is an option for you to use if you are comfortable with it. Using lower engine gearing combined with braking can bring your vehicle to a stop or slow your vehicle down faster than using braking alone, so it is a viable option for those comfortable using it.

The reason this function is not described in the manual to used for acceleration is because if you want to accelerate briskly and use a lower gearing, all you have to do is press down on the accelerator/gas pedal and it will have the same effect - no need to hit O/D off button.