93 Wagon - Pulling a 5 x 8 U haul trailer about 200 mi, fully loaded, car fully loaded. Should I lockout the overdrive?

Tranny fluid changed 16k ago. Probably won't exceed 60mph.

Leaving in the AM and it shouldn't be too hot. Albany, NY to NYC, relatively flat.

TIA,

Marty

From personal experience--Yes, lockout the overdrive. Third is kind of buzzy at higher speeds but it's better for the transmission. Third will also get you as fast as you care to go with a trailer at the top end.

The overdrive lockout on my '92 isn't functional and I recently pulled a 5x8 Uhaul trailer cross-country over the goddamn Rocky Mountains. The transmission got hot even on the flatter parts of the trip. The engine got hot a few times too (mostly going up grades) but blasting the heat was enough to get the needle moving back down.
We made it and the car runs and shifts properly a few weeks later but I was constantly worried about the heat. I got pretty good at holding it in third via the kickdown. Don't do that to yourself.

I hope the problem in my car is the button on the shifter--I didn't have time to tear into it before the trip. If it has a bypass plate installed then there's no way to lock 4th out.

OK Dan,

Here's what's in the Owner's manual. HALFWAY DOWN

The following "Special Tips" apply to cars with automatic transmission

For steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at low speeds, position 1 should be selected. Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overheating of the transmission oil. For driving on mountain roads with long persistent uphill gradients, select position 2.
When negotiating long steep, downhill slopes, position 1 should be selected and position 2 for less severe inclines, in order to obtain the best possible engine braking effect.
Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pedal. Instead, engage the handbrake this prevents the transmission oil from becoming overheated.
----4th gear must be disengaged when hauling a trailer!-------
If an additional transmission oil cooler is installed you can haul a trailer with the overdrive engaged. See next "special tip".
When driving with heavy trailers, it is recommended that an additional oil cooler be installed. This applies especially when driving under sever conditions e.g. mountain driving or prolonged driving at high speeds without breaks. The additional oil cooler is available as a genuine Volvo accessory. Regarding oil change, see section titled "Transmission oil".
Brake system

OK I did not see that part because they started talking about roof racks in my manual so I thought they were done with trailer towing. Definitely better info for the automatic.
Dan

I don't think you'll have any problem if you just leave the OD locked out. I towed a U-haul 5x8 from Long Island to Winston-Salem with my M46 245-B21F and it pulled nicely all the way. The owners manual calling for position 1 or 2 on the auto obviously are referring to very low speed hauling. Albany to NYC should be a cakewalk for your car -- if your speed drops into the rpm range of 2 (lets say 45-50mph) on the steepest hills with a heavy throttle then a shift to 2 would be in order--the motor can take high rpm -- not so much low rpm in the "lugging" range. If yoyu are on fairly level ground and using light throttle to maintain speed you will not stress anything. Be sure to use premium gas. -- Dave

I found my 93 owners manual that recommends an external trans cooler on the automatic and not to use 5th gear with the manual trans. It doesn't say anything about OD with the automatic.
I would just take it easy not to stress things for the loaded part of the trip.
Dan

Marty
On my 85 245 M46 it was recommended not to use the OD, not sure about an Automatic? Have you looked in the owners manual?
Dan

Looked in the owner's manual. Now there's a thought!

M