Manual overdrive question!

[Gaz1024]

.....maybe a silly newbie question but I want to ask it anyway!
Why is there an overdrive in 3rd and 4th gears on a manual transmission?
I understand why there’s an overdrive in 4th to simulate a 5th gear but not why there’s one in 3rd?

Gaz.

[StagJonno]

Think the O/D control system is designed from a different perspective. It prevents you engaging it in conditions that could damage the O/D itself. Too much torque for it to handle in 1st & 2nd and the internal clutch mech can't handle reverse.

The way the overall ratios are in my Mk2 at least, O/D 3rd is very close to "ordinary" 4th, so doesn't get used very much.

[trunt]

The third gear overdrive can be useful when driving twisty back roads, rather than going into 4th it can provide a gear between 3/4 that on some roads is just right.


Terry

[DJT]

As above. When I had my first Stag it had an overdrive manual box. I found it very useful in town traffic, switching between 3 and 3OD as traffic allowed. Much better than constantly changing gear from 3 to 4 using the clutch. Also, on B-roads if there was a queue of traffic pottering along at 40, and you knew you were approaching an overtaking opportunity, it was handy to change into 3OD then flick the switch and floor the accelerator when the opportunity arose. Acceleration is quite brisk in 3rd...... Nowadays I let the slush box do the work for me.

[jbuckl]

Manual o/d is like a 6 speed.
A Zf 4 stag speed is a different character car but a great one.