Overdrive, please help.

Question

My father explained the concept of overdrive to me, but backwards (O/D on slowed you down and O/D off sped you up). I have since learned that this is wrong. My father's explanation, I know, was a momentary lapse of wording, but he'll be too proud to admit it and will blame me for any problems.

My question: I drove the car 600 miles (300 each way) with the overdrive off at high speeds (70-80 mph). After the first trip it began making a swish-like sound that has not reappeared since. At the beginning of the second it made a high-pitched sound that went away after about an hour and a stop. Is it possible that this driving damaged the car enough that I should tell my father and have it checked out or will it be ok to wait for a maintenance check up? I drive a 2008 Ford Focus.

Thanks!

Answer 1

>>  I drove the car 600 miles (300 each way) with the overdrive off at high speeds (70-80 mph). After the first trip it began making a swish-like sound that has not reappeared since. At the beginning of the second it made a high-pitched sound that went away after about an hour and a stop. Is it possible that this driving damaged the car enough that I should tell my father and have it checked out or will it be ok to wait for a maintenance check up?

Basically you revved you engine high for VERY long time.  That would not be problem if the oil was new (basically if the engine was in good maintenance condition).  Give the car is 2008, the car is probably OK.

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next time leave the OD on for long hwy drives.  It is AUTOMATIC tranny.  It will go in and out of OD automatically.

good Luck...

Answer 2

Your car should be fine. But over drive is for highway speeds.  

Answer 3

It was probably your understanding of your father's words that was wrong. Overdrive slows the engine down, not the vehicle. It just helps you get a little better mileage, and won't hurt anything if you turn it off.

Answer 4

chances are you may not have hurt it none but it sure wasn't good for it either,the worse damage could appear in the transmission to it later on,all you can do is wait and see,you my not ever see any affects from doing this,but its not good for one to drive it at high speeds without using over drive in it,good luck on it.

Answer 5

I don't think you hurt your car.  At highway speeds your engine runs faster when NOT in overdrive.  The purpose of overdrive is to slow the engine down at highway speeds to give you better fuel economy.