3.1.15) What are the ECT and OD buttons on my automatic transmission for?
Description
This article is from the Toyota RAV4 FAQ, by Ralph Becker with numerous contributions by others.
3.1.15) What are the ECT and OD buttons on my automatic transmission for?
The ECT button (which stands for "Electronically Controlled
Transmission") changes the shift points for the automatic
transmission. When engaged, the transmission shifts later, allowing
the engine to get to a higher power level and accelerate faster. Gas
mileage is usually reduced in this mode. Use it when you need to get
up to speed faster; for example, to merge into fast moving traffic.
The normal position for this switch is OFF.
OD, or OverDrive, is a 4th gear on the transmission that will engage
when you are going above about 35 mph that lets the engine operate at
a lower speed (RPMs) when all it has to do is maintain a high speed
when you are going over flat, even highway. This improves fuel
economy. Technically, any transmission gear with a ratio of less than
1:1 is considered "OverDrive". OD can normally be left ON except when
going up a gradual hill; the overdrive tends to not give the engine
enough power to maintain a steady speed. This may cause the
transmission to annoyingly "hunt" between 3rd and 4th gear.
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