Meet "J-Bird"

[SkunkBoat]

Always go by the Ford manual and turn off O/D when you are towing, take it easy, coast to stops and save your brakes. Your Explorer will be fine. You should't get over 55, you have a precious baby in tow....

[smokeonthewater]

Yup 55 ain't paranoid it's SMART.... When traffic slams to a stop you'll be really happy you aren't trying to scrub off an additional 20 mph!

You need to paint a blue stripe on the lowers of the 'sploder to match ur new V!

[bgreene]

I DO NOT TURN OFF OVERDRIVE when towing with my Ford Explorer !!!!
Reason.......................it over heated when I did.
Ford Dealer says..........they don't know why, but correct, leave OD on !!!


I know, mechanical logic would suggest OD off so engine spins more freely and won't lug / over work the drive train. Reality is, I've been towing maybe 10 years now with 2004 Ford Explorer, approx. 120,000 miles on it, and still tows my 100 miles round trip for fishing trips fine.

My rig is 1996 Wellcraft V21, curtains frequently up, 525lb Etec 200 HO, dual axle trailer, full fuel in Explorer and boat.......so quite a decent load.

Maybe the new model Explorer works differently, but thought I'd share.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by bgreene

I DO NOT TURN OFF OVERDRIVE when towing with my Ford Explorer !!!!
Reason.......................it over heated when I did.
Ford Dealer says..........they don't know why, but correct, leave OD on !!!

I'm gonna respectfully disagree with you Bennett.
With a heavy load like a boat, you should turn off O/D and drive 45 in all cases except MAYBE if you are on a long trip, no stops, on a flat highway with no traffic and you are driving 55mph.
Otherwise that computerized transmission will be constantly going in and out of overdrive and that will cause it to overheat.

And with O/D off, there is engine breaking when you let off the gas.

Of course, if you are driving 55 or higher without O/D, you will get really shytty gas mileage and probably overheat...


And I'm pretty sure that transmission "remembers" and "learns" shift points...

[bgreene]

I'd disagree with me too......except that's what happened in my case, within the 1st year with the Explorer. It over heated and I took it back to the dealer.
Dealer manager told me to keep OD on and all would be fine. His son and I work at same company, and he had the same issue/ same outcome.

Defies the usual logic, but the vehicle never overheated again, and I've been towing the same route. Most, but not all is highway, 55 mph, and I have to slow down if it drifts to higher speed......

No matter, just interesting story, and something to check out when towing on highway.