Does the "overdrive" button in your car help you to save on gas?

Question

I was told that when you're driving on the streets to have your overdrive turned on, and that will help to save on gas

Answer 1

Not on surface streets. I only use overdrive over 55 mph.

Answer 2

the overdrive position is for highway driving. on an automatic transmission it comes on after a certain speed. It is no good if you are in heavy climbing conditions or driving against intense head winds.

Some manual transmissions  have an overdrive gear also and the same limitations apply.

Answer 3

leave it on

unless your pulling a trailer or driving down a steep hill.

Answer 4

You can leave the car in overdrive and it won't hurt it but it will really won't do any  good around town driving.  The overdrive is a higher gear in the transmission that was designed for extended long distance driving at highway/interstate speeds..It shifts into a higher gear thereby lowering the engine RPM and using less fuel for the same high speed. Most transmissions won't even shift into the overdrive gear until at least 50-55 MPH...

Answer 5

yes, you can use it anytime, all it does if put car in higher gear when it can,  it wont hurt anything to leave on all the time