when im not driving fast if anything i feel as if my car is going slower when i switch the over drive on..

 

Over 50mph.

 

You can safely leave it on all the time unless you're towing something. You can safetly turn it off if you want, but you'll be sacrficing mileage.

It's really up to you.

 

how exactly will turning it off sacrifice mileage?

 

Transmission doesn't shift into overdrive (4th gear.) Higher revs going faster. Doesn't sacrifice much. I drive with it off everywhere except highway.

 

FAQ's have some info on it.


Leave it on unless you're in heavy traffic.

 

It's up to you.

 

Cany ou turn it on and off while driving? or do you need to be stopped or in park?

 

you can turn it on and off to the tune of your music if you wanted too.

 

rotflmao ...

 

and you'd screw up 3rd and 4th gears before you'd finish the song

Seriously though, I leave OD on 99% of the time. Not doing so is foolish because
1. With it off, you will get horrible fuel economy.
2. With it off, you will increase wear on the engine, transmission, and torque converter. Remember, stress and wear increase exponentially with RPMs.

Both will cost you mega $$$ in one way or another.

Your AT can shift into OD at any speed higher than roughly 35mph (this depends on MANY factors, it's typically around 40mph). The only time when I turn it off is when I'm going up steep hills or in traffic and I know she's going to want to shift up and down again. Notice that there's an orange warning-style light that alerts you to when your OD is OFF...if it was an extra high-speed feature to only use on the highway it would have something like a picture of a rocket and a cool blastoff noise or something.

 

On second thought just drive around in 1st. Who needs gears anyway?

 

No, the engine would shift if there was a need, or it wouldn't...it wouldn't "screw up" anything

 

It can't possibly affect fuel economy that much, especially if you don't run through the entire rpm band. I noticed hardly a mpg change with o/d off.

It shouldn't put any extra strain on the engine or transmission. If anything, it keeps the engine in the meaty part of the power curve. If it was bad for the car most 5spds would be affected. I don't think there are many 5spd guys shifting at 2,000rpm.

 

if i am crusing and dont feel like breaking i turn the od off and it slows the car down

 

I keep it off in town and city driving if im not over 55 mph.
It can't damage anything, with a diference of maybe 300-600 rpm at the 50 mph range.