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Overdrive is the highest gear that allows you to drive at highway speed with lower RPMs and lower fuel consumption. Overdrive is mechanically engaged in an automatic transmission, but must be engaged manually in a stick shift (if the transmission is so equipped).
In order to operate overdrive, your vehicle needs a couple of different parts. One of the most important is the overdrive relay, which is the control for the system itself. If the overdrive relay fails, the system won’t work, or may work intermittently. The relay is an electronic part that is located behind the dash, above the brake and gas pedals, and inside of the firewall. Without a functional overdrive relay, the overdrive switch won’t work, and the solenoid won’t activate.
Your overdrive relay should last the life of your vehicle, though wear and tear will erode internal components and cause intermittent operation or complete failure. Have any overdrive issues diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics.
Overdrive is not just a convenience feature – it saves wear and tear on your engine (high RPMs over sustained periods of time lead to significant wear) and improves fuel economy. If you suspect that your overdrive relay or the overdrive system is damaged, have it diagnosed by our expert mechanics as soon as possible.
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