-- Posted by dreamweaver at 8:07 pm on Oct. 6, 2008 Ok... I know this may potentially turn into a "dur" topic but I'm rather curious about it and just simply want to know. What's the difference between overdrive and drive? Is one more efficient on gas in the long run? Is one easier on the car? I figure they're obviously for use on different types of roads and stuff. I'm rather curious and am afraid to ask my dad anymore car questions (my dad has been rather frustrated with car questions lately as most of them are "Dad... did you know my car has an oil leak in it?" which means he has to spend money to fix yet another car- I can't blame him for being mad). -- Posted by imSOFAKINGrad at 8:08 pm on Oct. 6, 2008 over drive is so you dont have to floor it all the time -- Posted by matto at 8:09 pm on Oct. 6, 2008 basically, overdrive shifts up a gear, and turning it off shifts down a gear.  this makes highway travel/faster speeds but less power more efficient.  use overdrive if you're going up a hill or towing something. -- Posted by switchfoot52 at 8:14 pm on Oct. 6, 2008 ppl prefer od for some reason. my car doesn't have it though. i think it might save on gas and its easier to drive in the winter -- Posted by emo sux69 at 9:24 pm on Oct. 6, 2008 Its main purpose is to make Highway driving as economical as possible. Overdrive is just the last gear on your car, it tends to be wide ratio so acceleration is vastly reduced in order to keep the revs down, this helps massively in gas mileage. -- Posted by TomNsR at 10:53 am on Oct. 7, 2008 I've never even heard of it, I take it its an Automatic gearbox thing? -- Posted by dreamweaver at 12:08 pm on Oct. 7, 2008 Quote: from TomNSR at 1:53 pm on Oct. 7, 2008 I've never even heard of it, I take it its an Automatic gearbox thing? Yeah.