What does the O/D gear in an automatic transmission mean?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission O/D stands for overdrive gear. Here are the specific details about the automatic transmission O/D gear: 1. The O/D gear (Over-Drive) refers to the overdrive gear in automatic transmission vehicles. Taking the most common four-speed automatic transmission as an example, the third gear is the overdrive gear, with a gear ratio ranging between 0.5-0.7, equivalent to the fifth gear in a manual transmission. 2. The button on the left side of the gearshift is for the overdrive gear. Pressing this button sets the transmission ratio to less than 1.0, increasing torque. It is used during high-speed driving. However, when encountering road obstacles or frequent stops and starts, it is advisable to turn off the O/D gear to avoid frequent gear shifting. O/D is utilized for high-speed overtaking and overdrive.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, the O gear you're asking about in an automatic transmission is actually the neutral gear, meaning the transmission is in a neutral state without transferring power, but the engine remains idling. I often shift to this gear at red lights to avoid keeping my foot on the brake pedal, especially noticeable in summer when the air conditioning puts a heavier load on the engine. It's also convenient to shift to O gear in car washes, letting the car roll in by itself. Once, my friend stalled the car in O gear on a slope, and it almost rolled downhill—scary stuff! So in emergencies, it's best to use the handbrake or shift to P gear. Remember, never coast in neutral while driving, as the brakes can become stiff and fail, which is extremely dangerous. Mastering these basic operations makes driving more effortless and safer, just like routine maintenance.
