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
