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Subject Topic: Automatic O/D yes or no
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PersonDrinkingwally1
25/1/2012 at 2:37pm
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I have a Ford Focus automatic, should I tow the caravan with the overdrive on or off?


Personjaiash
25/1/2012 at 2:45pm
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Overdrive? on a Focus? Do you mean 'Sport' mode?


Mr Muffin
25/1/2012 at 2:52pm
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We have o/d on our auto Terrano,its quite useful approaching hills just knock it out of o/d and it helps keep the revs up.

Also slows the car on descent's so don't have to touch the brakes just press the button.


Personbowler70
25/1/2012 at 5:57pm
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My o/d is always ON the Auto gearbox takes care of the correct gear and saves fuel when it can safely go into o/d.

-------------
Mike


Personjaiash
25/1/2012 at 6:27pm
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I do understand what o/d is - it was just that I thought ( wrongly?) that modern autos didn't have it....


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PersonDaveCoaches
25/1/2012 at 7:28pm
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It's still popular on a lot of the Japanese automatic gearboxes, but it is in effect another name for 4th gear rather than over drive in the traditional sense. The only time I ever turn mine off is going down a steep hill as I did once have brake fade coming down a long steep hill with the caravan on the back.


PersonGrampian91
25/1/2012 at 7:49pm
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Put it on and try it, If it struggles or changes up and down needlessly then switch it off.

Depends on how close to your cars limit you are.

I have always fitted aux gearbox coolers to auto's when towing.


Personlittlejack40
26/1/2012 at 5:36pm
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Drinkingwilly

What sort of auto focus have you got? Petrol or deisel?

Theres no overdrive on my 2litre petrol focus.

 


PersonDrinkingwally1
26/1/2012 at 5:45pm
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I've got a Focus Zetec Auto 1.6 2003. Thanks the advice I usually have the O/D always on.


PersonGrampian91
26/1/2012 at 9:46pm
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I think if you had mentioned that its a 1.6 petrol car when you 1st posted you might have got different advice.

What is the gross weight of the caravan your going to tow?


That will make a big difference to how the auto box will cope with overdrive on or off.


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PersonGreendemon315
26/1/2012 at 9:48pm
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I wouldn't have it on at all when towing with such a small engine.
Jim



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