3rd gear vs. overdrive
 

alright, was lookin for an answer to this one. i heard that this car has a really low overdrive, so when driving in the city, up to about 40-45 mph, you should have it in 3rd gear, but use overdrive on the highways. can anyone tell me why this is, and if there is a good reason, what speed to you guys switch from 3rd to overdrive. thanks.
driving in 3rd around town is eating too much gas for me!

Hmm, well, it depends on the situation. From my house to the interstate I leave it in 3rd because it is a residential area and I never go past 50. I usually leave it in 3rd until I'm well on the interstate (pick-up power) and then shift in D. In other situations I usually put it in 3 if I'm at a red light and I know I'm going to be slowing down somewhere ahead. For lower speeds as long as there are no stop lights and no steep hills I just leave it in D anyway.

Forth gear is not overdrive. Fifth gear is overdrive. Fifth gear as I like to call it is when the torque converter locks up in forth gear. The TC will not lock-up in other gears.

What kind of gas mileage are you getting? Ther are many post on this subject. If the car is in good working order a light touch on the throttle will give you the best mileage.

Uh...fourth is OD, even if the TC isn't locked. It would be hard to have 30% or more slippage in the convertor...

I'm getting 18mpg on surface streets in third and I don't drive like grandma. Then again, I'm not standing on it every time I step on the gas either...

I get the best gas mileage with the TC locked up. 2000 rpm at 60 mph and unlocked it's about 2300 rpm. Crysler would call it a 5spd:)

I drive around town in 3rd. I switch to D on the interstate and drive the interstate at 80-85 mph.

Larry III
Oh hello officer... I think I was only going about 65, officer.

Yeah, but Chrysler also thinks it's a good day if the tranny shifts at all. Have you ever wondered why their dealerships usually have three or more transmission mechanics? ;)

Is it true that 3rd gear prevents further transmission wear when driving around town or stop and go traffic? I think I read it on some SVX FAQ website.

This may be the FAQ you were thinking of. I find it handy. B.

http://my.voyager.net/~tmclane/