Overdrive
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
From: Seattle, WA
Overdrive
Have a question about overdrive on my Z. I have a 1984 turbo AE automatic and I have no idea what the overdrive does or how it works. My car is hella beat up, so on the overdrive switch, there is no marking except some green coloration on the side closest to me...So which side turns it on? And when should I engage it?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Grumpy & Helpful
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,415
From: Mill Creek WA
try looking on line for an owner's manual. download the fsm from xenon but I'm not sure your answer would be in there. Come to the next meeting of our zclub. Z car club of WA.
zccw.org. next meeting 3/11 at Eastside nissan in Bellevue. start 7pm. free pizza. someone probably can answer your question or at least you can meet some Z guys.
zccw.org. next meeting 3/11 at Eastside nissan in Bellevue. start 7pm. free pizza. someone probably can answer your question or at least you can meet some Z guys.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,103
Now THAT is a good idea, Seattle Max. FIVE DOLLARS says you will solve your problem at that meeting.
Just wear your mechanic suit, bring your Z and your tools - and under no circumstances grab that last slice of sausage-pepperoni!
Seriously, those guys know the car and have probably have been with their Zs where you are with yours. Take rogerz up on his invite. Wish there was a Z club around here.
Just wear your mechanic suit, bring your Z and your tools - and under no circumstances grab that last slice of sausage-pepperoni!
Seriously, those guys know the car and have probably have been with their Zs where you are with yours. Take rogerz up on his invite. Wish there was a Z club around here.
Last edited by zxguy1986; Mar 5, 2014 at 10:33 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 73
What is overdrive? It’s the fourth gear on a z31 automatic.
The switch in front on the gear shift lever on turbo automatics is an overdrive on/off switch. It allows a driver to determine whether the transm. should shift into OD or not. On the N.A. model, Nissan labeled the switch “Power” instead of overdrive but it’s the same thing. I have no idea why Nissan did that.
Don’t set the OD switch based on the momentary speed of the car. Set the switch to “on” or “off” based on what you anticipate the driving conditions will be for an "extended" run.
If the overdrive switch is set to “on” and the trans. fluid has reached operating temperature, the transm. will shift into overdrive at 40 mph. You can see if it’s shifting by looking at the tach and you can hear it shift also. There's also an LED lamp embedded in the switch that turns on when OD is set to on. Read the 198x owner's manual.
If it’s stop and go driving, set the switch to “off”. This will prevent the transm. from needlessly shifting into and out of OD for basically short periods of time. It’s less wear and tear on the transm.
If it’s highway driving, set the switch to “on”. You’ll get better fuel economy. One exception is when driving up hills/mountains at 40+ mph. In this case, turn the overdrive switch to off.
The switch in front on the gear shift lever on turbo automatics is an overdrive on/off switch. It allows a driver to determine whether the transm. should shift into OD or not. On the N.A. model, Nissan labeled the switch “Power” instead of overdrive but it’s the same thing. I have no idea why Nissan did that.
Don’t set the OD switch based on the momentary speed of the car. Set the switch to “on” or “off” based on what you anticipate the driving conditions will be for an "extended" run.
If the overdrive switch is set to “on” and the trans. fluid has reached operating temperature, the transm. will shift into overdrive at 40 mph. You can see if it’s shifting by looking at the tach and you can hear it shift also. There's also an LED lamp embedded in the switch that turns on when OD is set to on. Read the 198x owner's manual.
If it’s stop and go driving, set the switch to “off”. This will prevent the transm. from needlessly shifting into and out of OD for basically short periods of time. It’s less wear and tear on the transm.
If it’s highway driving, set the switch to “on”. You’ll get better fuel economy. One exception is when driving up hills/mountains at 40+ mph. In this case, turn the overdrive switch to off.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
From: Seattle, WA
Sounds good guys! Thanks for your help! And I will definitely try my best to attend the meeting, as Eastside Nissan is like a mile from my house, as long as i can get my brakes fixed. If you wanna find me, look for the most ghetto-*** Z31 there hahah
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 300
From: east KS
overdrive the 2nd brake is the holding clutch and drives the overdrive clutch
their both engaged in other words
if the swt and solinoid are functioning people used to lug around which frys the small overdrive clutches quick
their both engaged in other words
if the swt and solinoid are functioning people used to lug around which frys the small overdrive clutches quick
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 358
From: Tacoma, WA
try looking on line for an owner's manual. download the fsm from xenon but I'm not sure your answer would be in there. Come to the next meeting of our zclub. Z car club of WA.
zccw.org. next meeting 3/11 at Eastside nissan in Bellevue. start 7pm. free pizza. someone probably can answer your question or at least you can meet some Z guys.
zccw.org. next meeting 3/11 at Eastside nissan in Bellevue. start 7pm. free pizza. someone probably can answer your question or at least you can meet some Z guys.
I've owned several Auto Turbo Z31's, talk to me at the Z club meeting. (Tim)
Some info on Z31 auto transmissions
XenonZcar.com Z31 Transmission Specifications and Variations
Last edited by reddzx; Mar 9, 2014 at 03:50 PM.
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