Umm, I feel really bad asking this because I know I will probably get pounded and laughed at for it :oops: but... When do I need to use my overdrive? What is it even for? I mean I think I get the jist of "overdrive" but just wanna know for sure. Thanks guys :oops:

 

Its used when you need more power to go up a hill, Or need braking down a hill (so you dont have to ride the brakes)

 

It's the automatic transmission's 4th gear, I usually always have it on except if I'm driving on a hill and/or weird traffic conditions where my transmission would keep switching between 3rd and 4th gear.

Pretty much use it for highway cruising so that your RPMs stay low and you get better gas mileage.

 

Thanks guys! Another dumb question tho. You can switch it on at any time while driving or do you need to turn it on while you're in park?

 

You can switch it on anytime while driving, the automatic is pretty much like a clutchless manual, minus the more sporty gearing and clutch control.

You can shift through 1-2-3-D when accelerating from say a stop light as you would with a manual while the gas is depressed.

 

Is doing that bad for the tranny at all? I really like the shifting feature on some autos like in VW and Mazda so if needed can I duplicate that by shifting the tC? Forgive my ignorance but this is the first car with an auto in it I have bought.

 

The O/D defaults to being on, so whenever you start you're car, it is enabled. You should always leave it on unless, like was mentioned, you are going thru hills where it is repeatedly shifting between 3rd and O/D, or as a way to downshift in traffic, sacraficing MPG. I often use it for traffic.

As far as shifting, IMO, you're not doing anything that the auto tranny is doing anyway, shifting thru the gears. Just be careful not to forget and leave it in a low gear and rev too high... Other than that, I don't see any harm. If it was hazardous, Toyota wouldn't make it possible to do it. If you look in the manual, it gives the acceptable shift points - they are much higher than where I would downshift...