Hi Folks:

Considering the purchase of a '93 244 DL so that I can retire the oldest car in my fleet, an '83 245 that is in the advanced and final stages of 'cancer.'

The '93 has an automatic transmission, AW-70. I believe that this is a 3-speed gearbox with overdrive. My question is in regards to disabling the overdrive for more power on grades and at high elevations. I routinely do this with my other 200 series cars (all manual transmissions, two M46's and one M47II) by "downshifting" out of overdrive, or from fifth to fourth gear with the M47II. However, I wonder if it is wise to do this with the automatic since it has only 3 forward gears, plus a shorter rear axle ratio.

Would the engine wind too high at highway speeds for 3rd gear? Is the gearing such that it is not necessary to do this in order to maintain speed on grades? Fifth and OD are good for 'cruising' with the M46/M47II, but provide very little in the way of torque when it is most needed.