However, there are exceptions:
* Steep hills or heavy loads: If you're climbing a steep hill or towing a heavy trailer, you might need to disengage overdrive to maintain sufficient power and prevent the engine from lugging (running too slowly). Your vehicle's transmission might even downshift automatically in these situations.
* Slow speeds: While unlikely on the interstate, if you're going exceptionally slow (like crawling in heavy traffic), overdrive might cause the engine to hunt or be less responsive.
In most interstate driving situations, leaving your F-150 in overdrive is the recommended practice for optimal fuel efficiency and smooth operation. Listen to your engine – if it sounds strained or struggles to maintain speed, then manually disengage overdrive.
