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Overdrive is an important feature on modern transmissions designed to lower the rate of wear and tear and provide better fuel economy. However, ideal use of overdrive only occurs at highway speeds. In other driving conditions, overdrive can cause problems as the engine constantly cycles up and down, and the transmission shifts between the highest gears. This can be prevented by using the overdrive cancel switch.
The overdrive cancel switch will be located near the gearshift, or on the dash beside the steering wheel. The switch allows you to turn overdrive on or off as you require. This helps to prevent unnecessary transmission and engine wear under conditions where constant highway speeds are not maintained.
Additionally, turning off overdrive is an important consideration when towing a load, because it provides better engine braking and load control. Some trucks now have the overdrive cancel switch labeled as “tow/haul” for this very reason. The overdrive cancel switch is an electronic component, and it’s subject to the same wear and tear as any other switch. It can be disabled if damage occurs to the overdrive system or any other sensor on the transmission.
Being able to turn overdrive on and off as needed is important. It helps you match your vehicle performance to the driving conditions at hand, and helps alleviate unnecessary wear on both the engine and the transmission. If you’ve noticed problems with your overdrive system, have it inspected immediately by one of our expert mechanics.
Overdrive functionality is very important, and having a functional overdrive on/off switch is vital for optimal vehicle performance. We recommend having any malfunction diagnosed as soon as possible.
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