I started my car the other day and saw my O/D flash at me about 5 or 6 times. My first thought was that my tranny was about to go. Opened the owners manual and it states the O/D will falsh about 8 times when in Fail Safe Mode. Fail Safe Mode occurs when you have excessive tire spin and/or hard braking. I then realized I was skidding around in the snow on purpose and the hard braking turned this mode on. Turned the ignition off and back on, per instructions and it's back to normal. My question is, what is the Fail Safe benefit? It states, the car will be locked in 3rd gear until you turn the ignition on/off. Any more input on this feature?? Thanks.

 

yeah, It happens all the time. nothing is wrong with the tranny, as you are aware. the reason? well, the light only comes on when you are having severe slip issues. it locks you in 3rd to try to help you regain control, and to be able to get more traction. I.E. less tq to the wheels means less wheel spin. hope this helps, and try not to be so abbusive to the tranny. tranny repairs are not cheap.

 

Thanks...seeing that light flash gave me a wake up call to ease off the spins and donuts.