Turning O/D off during engine break-in.

[Crack_Tan]

Recently I loaned my new car (Pontiac Vibe) to someone who, for whatever reason, turned the O/D off while driving it. She says she drove that way for about fifteen miles at speeds varying between 35-to-55 mph. Now normally this wouldn't concern me, but the engine only has 2K miles on it.

Is there any reason to even think twice about this?

C.T.

 

[97f150]

No reason whatsoever. O/D is only really used past 55 anyhow and the reason the button is their is cause you have the option whether or not to use it.

 

[Crack_Tan]

Thanks.

 

[mechtech]

No harm whatsoever to your car.
You can hold this infraction over her head for the rest of her life, however, if the need arises.

 

[brianl703]

When I was driving my brother's new Ford Escape home from the dealership (a very long drive), I was intentionally taking it out of overdrive to vary the engine speed a bit.

 

[glennc]

This may well have helped the engine! During break-in it is important to vary engine speed and load, and perhaps the worst kind of driving is cruising in a high gear at a low rpm. Then again modern engines make break-in virtually irrelevant.

I thought from the thread title you were going to ask whether LEAVING the overdrive OFF during break-in was a good idea.

Don't worry a bit.

- Glenn