Re: Turning overdrive off on flat highway important?
I drive a 2001 F150 Super Crew with the 5.4L engine and have towed a boat with it since new. Weights have gradually increased as my boat budget has increased and my current rig weighs in around 3,500 lbs or so. I have ALWAYS towed in O/D. In fact, I won't tow with the O/D locked out because the engine runs at 600-700 rpms higher in 3rd than in O/D and my mileage drops off dramatically. With 124,000 miles on it at this point I can honestly say that I have never had an issue. Granted, I service the tranny every 40,000 miles or so but even then the fluid is darker but definitely not burnt. I don't see any change in engine temp when towing either and I do watch my gauges very closely. I have towed from Ohio up to Canada and down to Florida multiple times a year. I can say that if there was ever a reason to lock out the O/D it would be going through the Jellico section of I-75 and I don't even kick it off then. I let the tranny downshift when needed and do use engine braking to save on the brakes but otherwise it's O/D all the way. While some vehicles may benefit from towing with O/D locked out, I don't see it in my vehicle. Tow package factory works just fine. And I'll shock you all with another fact that I'm sure I'll get flamed for. At 124,000, I still have original plugs, original coils, original coolant and original components on my truck. (That'll curse me now I'm sure.) Apart from oil changes, filters and brakes, I've had to do nothing other than a rear U-joint. That's on a truck that does pretty much nothing else anymore but tow my boat. It runs great, 17mpg unloaded and 12 with the boat.
UFM82
) .... in our van. about 40 miles into our trip, she calls me on my cell and says that there is a lot of smoke coming from under the truck. I stop to investigate but don't see anything unusual (other than a lot of smoke
