Proper way to disengage overdrive

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited November 2013 in HUDSON
I'm thinking about taking the 48 on a tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow, but I don't want to experience brake failure like I did about 10 years ago. A buddy told me to just pull out the overdrive knob when I get to the mountains and that way the car will not freewheel on the way up or back. I can use the engine to help slow me down in case the brakes overheat. The problem is I've never disengaged the overdrive and it seems like I read in a repair manual or owner's manual that you're not supposed to simply pull out that knob if the car is NOT in motion. Or do I have it backward and the overdrive should not be pulled IF the car is in motion.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    there are several ways to do it. First, just pull out the OD button with the car standing still with or without the motor running. When the car is in motion and in overdrive, press the footfeed clear to the floor and the kickdown switch under the footfeed will kick the car out of OD and then pull the button out while holding the footfeed down as not to let it drop back into OD. I would first try to pull the lever out with the clutch in and the car standing still to see if the cable is not stuck before I tried it going down the road. Age sometimes has a way of freezing up the OD cable.
  • Trevor J
    Trevor J Expert Adviser
    To assist with taking out of overdrive I always put the car in reverse and back up about a foot it just makes it easier.
    The car can be taken out of overdrive at any time while in motion so long as the car is not in overdrive
    Trevor NewZealand
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Trevor is technically correct, but you don't want to pull the knob out if the car is free-wheeling. The engine should be at least under light load.
  • Trevor J
    Trevor J Expert Adviser
    I agree with the above. It always seems easier when you are doing it as opposed to explaining it
  • TOM-WA-
    TOM-WA- Senior Contributor
    WELL ALL OF THAT WAS CLEAR AS MUD...
    The car can be taken out of overdrive at any time while in motion so long as the car is not in overdrive
    Trevor NewZealand ????????HUH
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    What Trevor is saying is that you can pull the control lever out anytime before the cut-in speed. You should however do this whilst there is a slight load on the transmission, not coasting, otherwise you will have a horrendous grinding noise, which the owner's manual warns about. Once the overdrive is engaged, above cut-in speed, you can only pull the control knob out if you use the kick-down switch to disengage the solenoid. Some have fitted a parallel wired switch to the kickdown, which is a good idea, as you can push his without having a huge load on the input shaft.
    Geoff
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    I've relocated my kickdown switch so I can easily hit it with my left foot. Works fine. But Geoff's approach is even simpler.
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    We need a new kickdown switch,does anyone have a part # for it ? (1953 Hudson)
    Also a local owner of a 1949 8 cyl needs a set of Ign. points , Any help. Rudy
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Rudy I have both.
  • super651
    super651 Senior Contributor
    Thanks Hudzilla, Please email me your address and price + Shipping. Please drop the het.
    hetrbennett37@sbcglobal.net
  • TwinH
    TwinH Senior Contributor
    If your doing it wrong it will let you know immediately. :D
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