On the hand gear the little button labeled OVER DRIVE On/Offexists and when it is in the off position the little orange light symbol lights on the dash saying O/D OFF. This is when the car picks up much faster and shifts much smoother. l notice when the over drive is enabled and clicked in, the car is heavier and slower. l use this feature [Over drive being on and light not being on] in the rain right?Plz.. ;)

You should only use over drive at highway speeds, or above 50 mph.

Overdrive is to achieve more MPG at highway speeds. Might not hurt to look in your owners manual

Your overdrive is designed to be used at high speeds. If you're on the interstate traveling 75mph, you're going to want an extra gear to save you some gas mileage and prevent your motor from having to work too hard. That is what your overdrive does.

I'd leave it off if you're driving around town, although l do believe the person who designed that little light on the dashboard should be shot.

Overdrive helps you to obtain better gas mileage. If you are shifting a lot in city traffic, it may be better for your transmission if it is off. Overdrive is what helps to get excellent gas mileage on the highway when coasting, at least that is when it is the most noticeable. You have to use your best judgment to figure out what is best for your personal driving style and your pocketbook, in terms of gas.

Overdrive is essentially a extra high ''gear'' ratio that the car switches into which will save gas at the expense of Torque when cruising.

So, if you are trying to get a fast start from a stop, having Overdrive on could slow you down a bit.

It wont hurt the car to have it on, but, you might not drive as fast, but, you will save a little gas. Not enough to really make a major difference, but, hey, it is $3 a gallon.

Leave that button along for the most part. OD is automatic. OD is basically the last top gear. Before it get there it will go through other lower gears first. Think of the OD as the crusing gear - where u do not need much engine power.

The only time u would manually turn OFF the OD is when u r on the hwy on long incline (and perhaps with full load of passengers). You might be at a speed where the computer feels it should be in OD. But given the extra load & the incline u might be need the extra pull of the lower gear (non OD gear).

But for the most part, leave it along & u will do well.


Good Luck.

over drive was designed to make the vehicle get better mileage & to help the engine run less rpm,s,and to get better gas mileage it should only be used in situations where speeds r going to be 50 or above,other wise u will feel it shifting back & forth a lot,also it will feel kind of heavy like u described it,around town is not a good place to use this feature,but when ur out on the road & going over 50 that is when its really useful,but its not recommended u use it in stop & go traffic a lot.you,ll get used to it ,it takes time,good luck with it.

leave it on.your car uses overdrive (also known as fourth gear or even fifth in some cars) when u r cruising down the highway.all the rest of the time u car doesnt get up to speeds that would shift into such gears.overdrive is not something u turn on when u need it, its something u turn off when u dont want it ie. driving down a mountainside.thats why theres a light on ur dash thats on when u dont use it as opposed to when u do.on is normal in other words.theres no such thing as not wanting it on in town...it doesnt affect anything at slow speeds.the only reasons u would want to turn it of r to keep it in passing gear on the highway or, as l said before, driving down steep hills

the overdrive is for highway speeds of 55mph or more.it is like a 4th gear for the transmission.you should use it on the freeway at all times.it does not hurt to use it all the time as it only engages at a high rate of speed

The O/D feature can be found in every other cars, not only in the i30. It is to help you achieve more MPG, when you are driving in a highway.

Good Luck!

On the 97 I30 you only use the off setting if you are pulling something or off road. If you have a touring model turn it off in snow.

If u drive ''around town'' a lot (under 45 mph) press the button so that the ''O/D Off'' is illuminated. You will notice that the car seems ''more powerful'' & responds better. With the light illuminated u r dis-allowing the transmission from using the O/D gear, this makes it easier for the engine to move the car, keeps the engine rpm is up a little higher (where it is making power) makes it more responsive, etc.

If you're on the highway, press the button again so that the ''O/D Off'' light is not illuminated. This will allow ur transmission to use the last gear. Which lets the engine spin at a slower RPM, gives u better mileage, etc.

If u r carrying a very very heavy load or towing a trailer, u may want to drive with the ''O/D Off'' light illuminated while on the highway.

Generally, the O/D is on all the time; it acts as a fifth gear and gives one better gas mileage. When you take the O/D off, you should feel a shift downward as the vehicle labors under the strain, l use mine mainly if l am needing more power and in an area where my speed will not increase above 25mph.

Overdrive is to be used at high speeds.

O/D =cruise control