OK ,I know this sounds dumb.....But in the forums view what is the best way to make full use of the Auto features ie Power/Hold,& O/D .On a car like the 300zxtt. I am new to the more modern Auto boxes,& the car I have just bought needs the Auto rebuilt because the "top clutch" has gone,it seems that if you just leave it in "D"all the time this is what happens . What do you reckon? Steve.
I take overdrive off everytime i go 60 and below. I never use Hold. I often put it in 2nd for driving in the city where im stopping all the time so it only uses 1st and 2nd. Sometimes i go into second on corners so i can accellerate out in second not 3rd as the box doesn't always shift down a gear and its a slug in 3rd gear at low speed. I don't use power often, its good if you wanna drag at the lights but only if your gearbox is not flaring between changes
Same here. I don't use overdrive around town, and the car goes into "power" mode automatically when i accelarate hard. As for hold i still don't know how to use it!
Re: Same here. I don't use overdrive around town, and the car goes into "po I never use "overdrive" around town...but once i go 70+ thats when i turn it on... I never use "hold"...don't really see the point to.. and only use "power" when im in the mood to give it a bit..
OK ,thanks for the replys,but where can we find out the definative & designed use for the Box?. Steve
This isn't rocket science, there are two main modes of use..... 1: Overdrive. Used when cruising at higher speeds for long periods of time. This allows the engine to drop a few rpm without losing roadspeed, and is called "Economy" in some other cars. 2: Power. This is the normal mode when Overdrive is not engaged. 3: Hold. This allows a selected ratio(gear) to be held without automaticaly changing, when running slower (or higher) speeds than those at which the gearbox would have changed gear(if HOLD had NOT been engaged). This is the mode closest to manual driving of the car, as it allows manual gear changes at the Drivers descretion, with effectively no input by the auto box. End of story.
Close, but no cigar. Nope, the central position would be normal... power mode is an aggressive mode. (gears changes slightly higher in the rev-range) And hold mode is designed for ice... will start in 2nd gear from a standstill etc. Manual operation is done by selecting 1 2 and drive. Nope, it aint rocket science.
All I want to know is... Shall I switch off overdrive when driving around city for less than 70km/ph. I alway drive with overdrive on without hold or power. Practically, to minimise any damage as result of frequent gear changes, will it be better to switch off overdrive when driving less than 70.
Personally... ...I don't turn the OD on less I'm doing 80. Nissan manual says overdrive is the normal position, and one should turn it off if driving up and down hills where you require engine braking or don't like the excessive shifting. Turn OD off around town, will save your box.
An auto mechanic told me once that the biggest cause of auto failure was due to the overdrive feature in them. Around town you should never have them on as the box will be constantly shifting up and down at 60k. Hence they wear out rapidly.
