hi, i have a '98 volvo s70 glt with an automatic transmision and i was just curious wat does that overdrive (i think thats what its called) button do, its located on the top, right corner of the automatic shifter...? i wanted to test it out for my self, but than decided not to, i didnt want to go to a redline or something and than blow my engine lol. so if you have any ideas, please let me know!

 

Overdrive is just a higher gear ration in the automatic transmission. For example if D (Drive) ratio is 1:1 then OD (Overdrive) might be .76:1. It's main purpose is to allow the engine to run at lower RPM's at the same speed, which will help gas mileage and reduce wear on the engine parts. Pushing the button and taking it out of OD is not going to hurt the engine or send it to redline (unless of course you are already turning about 6000 RPM's.

 

so OverDrive makes the car run on lower RPM?

 

There's no Overdrive button on the S70... what you're looking at is the shift lock release button- what that does is let you take it out of park without the brake being pressed- really useful if you have to push the car with a dead battery, for example. When your transmission is in "D," overdrive is active, and the transmission will shift into it automatically when it's time. You have a 4- speed automatic transmission- Overdrive is the 4th gear.

 

yeah i have to press the shift lock override button in my s70 everytime i want to get out of park because the microswitch is busted

 

me too, dam things always stuck haha

 

Man, you guys need to get you rhands on an owners manual. You can get one from an junk yard for $10, or look at the one that Volvo has online at: http://www.volvocars.com/us/tools/Ow...lvoOwners.aspx