In the recent gas crisis, I have been finding ways to get more mileage.

This is the exact same specs for my truck.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2003/toyota/tacoma/100175738/specs.html

The specs said that:


I don't understand. At my best driving, I am getting 300 mi on a full tank. But than again, that is because I run the tank down to about 98%.

It has always been like this. I have only got 310 mi once. Am I suppose to run with Over Drive on?

You mean you don't use overdrive? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I thought turning OverDrive is only for mountain roads?

NO NO NO!!!

You DON'T use overdrive on mountain roads!

You use it on freeways,/highways and such!


lol..

Your Mileage will improve ALOT on the freeway if you use OD on the freeway
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Dano-
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Cool, I see. Please help answer these questions.

When is the rule of thumb to turn-on OverDrive? Above 40 miles?

Also, when I turn off my engine, it turns off. Is that normal?

If I drive with OverDrive on regular surface roads, will it harm my engine?

All these years, I have been driving with OverDrive off, is that bad for the engine?

Is this a joke? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

This is for serious. I wouldn't post it if I knew. Sorry if it sounds ignorant. I would appreciate if you can help.

What the Overdrive itself does is save you gas by bringing the RPMs lower during normal driving. It's almost like having one more gear to your tranny.

If you're driving in hilly or steep territory, and you find that the truck is bogging down or frequently has to step down into 3rd gear (i.e. out of overdrive) to keep speed, then you should push the button to take it OUT of overdrive mode (that's when the O/D OFF light illuminates). What that does is keep your truck going in 3rd gear: no converter lockup or overdrive. This gives you more power for steep grades since it keeps the truck in the meat of its powerband, but kills your gas mileage for everyday city, freeway, or whatever driving.

So basically, only use that button if you're going up a steep hill or if you want to use the engine-braking effect to use your brakes less while going down a steep hill. Make sense?

As stated earlier, the OD is just an extra gear. Use it on the highway. I have the OD on the whole time, it won't hurt the engine or tranny.

Hint: When you push the Overdrive button and the light on the dash turns on, it turns overdrive OFF.