4th gear is 1:1. OD is 0.675:1 for the manuals and 0.71:1 for the autos (although I have seen slightly different #'s for both).

Around town and in stop and go traffic, I disengage OD on my DD SUV to keep from lugging the engine. On the highway, OD will allow the engine to turn slightly slower RPMs for a given engine speed for improved fuel mileage but you WILL tend to lose some torque compared to 4th gear.

 

Hehe I'm glad a few finally came through and posted that overdrive is not a 1:1. If it was, it generally would be OVER drive, but would simply be drive.

 

Does that mean that 1st thru 3rd are underdrive? I have things called underware but none called overware.

What were we talking about?

 

Here is another question probably obvious as well, when traction controll is turned on does it sent power to both wheels where as if it is off only one rear wheel gets power? I ask because I have a problem with one wheel burnouts

 

The V6 doesn't have a limited slip differential, hence the 1 wheel burn.

TCS cuts fuel and spark; it doesn't "send" power. It's a rather basic, archaic system.

 

Ohh that makes scence now.

 

Well, I guess it could be called that lol. At least in my experience, "Drive" is usually a 1:1 ratio . . . so technically 1-3 would be under-drive.

Gear Vendors uses the terminology in their products.

PS. It's called outerwear. Underwear should be called innerwear .

 

Overdrive is 5th gear. When it is on, basically, all of your gear move up a bit. Like 3rd would be more like 3.5th gear then 3rd gear. It makes your car more fuel efficient, and I have heard that you do lose a bit of acceleration too. Not sure if that is 100%, but I feel like it's true.

 

I'll have some of what he's having, please.

 

That's awesome. So, in reality, having an overdrive button takes a 5 speed car and turns it into a 10 speed!