I had an argument with my buddy the other day and just wanted to make sure I am right. My friend thinks that on my car, 4th gear IS overdrive. I told him no, overdrive is seperate of 4th gear, it acts like a 5th gear basically.

Also, he thinks that leaving the car in 3rd, instead of putting it in drive for driving around town is better on your tranny. He thinks that shifting in and out of overdrive is hard on your tranny. I didnt agree with him but i wasnt 100% sure either. He also thinks that leaving the car in 3rd while driving around town will get the same gas mileage as leaving it in drive...

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but...You're friend is right on both counts. 4TH gear IS overdrive. Lock-Up is what may feel like a 4th shift, but it's the clutch in the converter locking up.

It's a little easier on an A4 to leave it in D while driving around town. Since most 4 speed autos don't shift into 4th until around 50 mph anyway, it's not really a big gas milage issue.

Frank
CPT

 

So then why does my other car (99 chevy prizm) come available with a A4 with overdrive OR an A4 without overdrive? Im kinda lost i guess

So i was right on the second part though, about leaving it in drive in town isnt gonna hurt anything. My buddy said you should leave it in 3rd around town so its not as hard on the tranny...

 

D is 3rd gear...O/D is 4th gear

Frank