I understand that with a small vehicle, with a smaller fuel efficient engine has inherent limitations. However, am I understanding your view correctly that any modifications are futile? Considering the notion that overdrives are "fragile items," wouldn't a transmission cooler (around $40.00-$60.00) be a worthwhile modification? Wouldn't a properly sized electric fan be an improvement -- possibly? Of course, an acceptable capacity of an electric fan in an application such as this is open for debate. Of course I do understand that these things will most surely NOT completely eliminate my problem, but wouldn't I see a benefit from a reliability/wear-&-tear viewpoint? I know that there is no "magic pill," but it appears that possibly, I could see some advantage by making some modifications, from a cost-benefit perspective. Do you disagree?
Also, does anyone know exactly what the specs are for the automatic transmission in terms of the shift points in "economy" versus "power" mode? I've driven down the road, flipping from "power" to "economy" and danged if I can tell any difference.
Also, when it begins to pull down in overdrive, is it harder on the transmission to stay in overdrive and let the car slow down <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, or would it be less strain on the drivetrain to accelerate slightly, allowing the thing to downshift and run the engine at higher rpm's? Or I guess would it be better to allow the thing to just keep on shifting back and forth? It would be nice, if Sportages had a switch that would disable the overdrive, but they don't <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />.

Thanks for your views!