Escapee
Member
I've also heard this from alot of car dealers when buying new and second hand cars. On delivery of every auto I have ever purchased (5 in total from different dealers) they tell me to turn the OD off around town in 60 zones or less. The issue raised by all of them was that in OD around 60km/ph zones or towing at lower speeds the gear box is shifting too often between 4th and 5th and causes damage that way as it can't decide where it wants to be. De-selecting overdrive ensures minimal gear changing and a more steady fuel supply in speeds of 60km/ph or less. However, I have only ever been told to do this in city roads or tight windey roads as it will slip into 5th for several seconds then back to 4th for a few seconds then back to 5th etc etc etc as the traffic causes you to constantly change your driving style. It will continue on that path - sometimes un-noticed by the driver - for an entire trip (just watch the taco while someone else is driving and you can see it happening and can even feel it). Coincidentally page 5-13 of the Navara Owner's Manual says, "When cruising at a low speeds or climbing a gentle slope, you may feel uncomfortable shift shock as the transmission shifts between 3rd and overdrive repeatedly. In this case, set the overdrive switch in the OFF position"
I've never found this to be an issue on 80km/ph highways and above. If you come to a long hill above 80 it's only going to kick down once per gear. It won't shift up again until you level out so therefore isn't really a problem on highways unless of course you are driving miss daisy.
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