I have an automatic car, and wondering if I should leave the car in 2nd gear going down a long hill? Does this effect the transmission at all?

Thanks

 

If you're having to ride your brakes down a long hill, yes, downshifting keeps them from overheating and fading. I regularly use the OD lockout on mild grades and 2nd on steep low speed ones to manage the speed. 2/7/9 cars all have a good transmission cooler, I'd be more cautious about a car that didn't.

 

Does the Over Drive (OD) lockout keep in it whatever gear I am currently in?

I live in Vancouver so coming down from the mountains is a fairly steep long sections of road. Would you recommend putting my car into 2nd gear at the top or OD once ive reached the speed in which I do not have to ride the brakes?

Thanks alot

 

overdrive on these AW7x transmissions works like a 4th gear. the OD lockout simply disables overdrive aka 4th gear, so if its in D, it will stay in 3rd. if you have it in 1st or 2nd, the OD lockout has no effect.

D normal - auto shift all 4 gears
D w OD off - auto shift 1-3
2 - auto shift 1st,2nd
1 - 1st only.