Can I Tow in Overdrive?
#1
Can I Tow in Overdrive?
I pull a 26' enclosed car trailer (about 8500 lbs loaded) with my '97 auto. Can I pull in overdrive or will this cause premature damage to the tranny? I don't have a temp gauge on the tranny... yet. Thanks for the help.
Chris
Chris
#2
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I dont tow much of anything, but I would recommend if you dont have gauges, get yourself the pyro/boost/trans temp to begin with, and watch your EGTs and trans temp while towing with OD off, record them, and then try towing with OD on, and watch the temps. If they go out of reasonable temp range, you have an answer for your question right there.
#3
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fill in your sig it would help but if it is a stock auto on a stock engine it will hold but towing with a stock auto on a stock engine will still shorten its life. just not enough line pressure, shift pressures and times and lube pressures will be the fall of your trans under heavy towing, but 8500 if not to terrible so OD would not be the end of the world but not recommended.
Chris
Chris
#6
Is this to turn the pump in the tranny fast enough to keep line pressure up? What is "high enough"? Around 2000 rpms? The reason why I am asking this inthe first place is because I can only get about 60 mph out of the old girl before it tachs out when overdrive is turned off.
Thanks Again.
Thanks Again.
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#11
Related question...
Why does it seem like turning the OD off kicks me down 2 gears, not just out of OD.
If I am really in 3rd you'd think I could keep the rpm's down enough to cruise around at 65... But it really wants to go 55-60 without the OD.
I'm just an idiot so if I am missing something let me know.
Why does it seem like turning the OD off kicks me down 2 gears, not just out of OD.
If I am really in 3rd you'd think I could keep the rpm's down enough to cruise around at 65... But it really wants to go 55-60 without the OD.
I'm just an idiot so if I am missing something let me know.
#12
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It probably feels as if you are going down 2 gears because the TC is unlocking, and the tranny is going to 3rd. With the TC locked in 3rd with the 3k GSK I can run up to about 78mph in 3rd gear @ 3k rpm's. Maybe a lockup switch so you could keep the converter locked while in 3rd would be good for you.
Eric
Eric
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#14
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I lock out the O/D when running under 45-50mph, stop and go driving. Once on the interstate, kick it in and go. A set of gauges are really reccomended though, to keep yourself out of trouble.
#15
It is to make sure the pump in the tranny is moving more fluid and the pressures are greater.