Overdrive on or off

I suspect the load on the transmission would be enough to prevent the overdrive engaging when i sand.

Corny, I usually switch it off when in high range 4WD.

I have found it easy if things get boggy or there are a few steep hills to go straight to low range but leave it in drive with overdrive on and just let the trans do the work. Much much much easier than changing gears in a manual, and no trying to guess which gear you should be in. Its a bit like having an auto focus camera, just "point and shoot". Just don't forget to shift into neutral before trying to select into, or out of, low range.

Cheers,

Muzz

My understanding is that the "overdrive" is not really an overdrive at all. What I mean is, it is not a seperate gear ratio, rather a lock-up clutch on the torque converter. There are 3 forward ratio's and the lock-up switch, which to all intents and purposes, feels like another gear. I have heard that in high load situations, ie, high range on sand, this lock-up clutch will burn out and not function. Expensive. Save the "overdrive" button for highway cruise or low load conditions, just like you would with overdrive in a manual ge

Have been told when on sand in an auto to lock into 2nd and leave there to stop the trannie hunting between 2nd and 3rd and 4th. Will burn out clucthes very quickly and as said above would definately leave overdrive in the off position (wont go into overdrive anyway while locked in 2nd). Even though the auto will change up and down when required why put extra stress on the clutches, I dought unless you were on a beach which the sand is that compacted that you would even get into drive any way.I was told this by 2 4wd training course blokes and I know that my mate locks his 4.5 petrol patrol in 2nd when we are up at stockton beach. ( newcastle). Regards Steve M