Short throw AUTOMATIC shifter

[S2]

Like PM5019 said, it's a different gear, it lowers the RPM so you get better fuel economy. The ATX trans in a focus is a 4 speed electronically controlled transaxle.

[W~Phoenix~{RC}]

So (if I have this correct) O/D is, by default, off when you turn the vehicle on. Then when you are going on the highway (doing 60-70mph) Then O/D should be turned on for better fuel economy, right? :o

What does O/D do if it is turned on during speeds of 20-35mph city speeds?

[jpickles]

Congrats on making what you have your own!

[pm5019]

By default the O/D is on when you start the car. Not much is gonna happen when you turn the O/D off at 20-25mph you might run at higher RPM, but not much to make a difference. Now if you turn it off going 50-60 your RPMs will go up to about 4-4500 RPMS

[whiteboyslo]

O/D is just a fancy name for 4th gear. people seem to think turning it off makes you faster or somehow play with the mapping of the powerband or... well, i've heard just about everything. if O/D is on (default when you turn on the car), the car will shift all the way to 4th. if off (not default, and a little light comes on to remind you it's off), the highest gear you'll get to is 3rd.

it's handy to run around town with O/D off IMO. 3rd gear tends to sit at about 2500-3000 RPM at city speeds (35-60MPH). keeping it in 3rd (O/D off), keeps the engine in the powerband for easy acceleration (ideal for passing). it also reduces the number of downshifts, which helps your tranny. with O/D on, you'd be lugging around in really low RPMs at city speeds, which means you have to mash it and downshift to get going. not good for the tranny.

anyway, to get back on topic (sort of)

S2... they DO make handles with a built-in O/D button, but they're not cheap. most i've seen run in the ballpark of $100.

Mike

[S2]

Really Mike, thanks for the update on that. I didn't know the did but it makes sense. Good to know.....

[W~Phoenix~{RC}]

Thanks for the info Mike. . .

Does anyone know of any good websites that have aftermarket shift knobs for the ATX? :/

[pm5019]

they suck though....I hate all the aftermarket knobs. They look cheep and porly put toghether.

[whiteboyslo]

^^^^^ word. that's my dilemma.

Mike

[PZEV05ZTW]

hey so everyone knows like i said before im getting a new sterring wheel and im relocating the o/d too where the 1st n2o shoudl go and the second will controll my neons (when i get them) but thats that

and i have to say so much arguing over a damn shifter is stupid its still a focus who cares what the [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]* i did to it ... its stilla focus on ''Focus Fanatics'' right?

dont hate the focus hate the rice