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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: sandra@BCM on July 21, 2022, 01:21:43 PM

Title: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: sandra@BCM on July 21, 2022, 01:21:43 PM
QUESTION!!



What tips and tricks have you learned and practiced to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: luvrbus on July 21, 2022, 01:52:47 PM
Park It ,drive slow and easy is best and only way to increase your fuel mileage with a diesel engine,a cruise control helps
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: Bustle on July 21, 2022, 03:36:26 PM
Keep it at 55...
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: richard5933 on July 21, 2022, 03:56:34 PM
Quote from: Bustle on July 21, 2022, 03:36:26 PM
Keep it at 55...

This ^^^

The best way to increase MPG is to slow down.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: Bill Gerrie on July 21, 2022, 04:11:30 PM
I installed the famous Bill Teal overdrive and the mileage went from 6.5 to 8.2 average per Imperial gallon. It dropped the engine rpm approx 500 rpm.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: buswarrior on July 21, 2022, 05:25:50 PM
No idling.

The B.S. mythology about running a diesel...

If it isn't pushing you forward, shut it off!!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: RichardEntrekin on July 21, 2022, 07:15:13 PM
Adjusting the valves, injectors, and jakes resulted in 0.8 mpg increase for my S60 engine.

I set the cruise just above where the tranny, Allison World 4000, wants to downshift from 6 into 5th.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: luvrbus on July 21, 2022, 07:49:06 PM
What engine are we speaking about ? the right gear ratios and weight are a important part of fuel economy on a diesel engine .The trend now is high HP engines for fuel economy so the engine doesn't work as hard..My 600 hp ISX Cummins does not like speeds under 65 mph it likes to run @ 1300 to 1400 rpm, the fuel mileage will drop by a 1.5 mph at 55 mph it likes 68 mph my friends Newell with the same engine does the same thing.Don't waste your money buying a fuel additive telling your fuel mileage will increase either not going to happen.I use a additive because my ISX is a EGR engine and Cummins recommends it but the mileage stays the same at 8 mpg give or take a 10th mpg @ 53,000 lbs   
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: Van on July 21, 2022, 08:37:08 PM
I make sure the Ol' lady is prohibited from collecting rocks on our travels, that's as good as it gets,  ;D you'd be surprised. My bus has a sweet spot also and that is where we like to run it, slowing down doesn't increase mileage only prolongs the trip some. If the question is about trying to increase fuel mileage to save money lol, no free lunch there I'm afraid, that's for sure. :)

at a buc a mile
enjoy the ride ;)
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: TomC on July 22, 2022, 08:32:42 AM
Cliff there is nothing saying you have to be running in 6th gear. Slow down to 55 and run in 5th-I guarantee your mileage will go up. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: HB of CJ on July 22, 2022, 02:27:52 PM
Reduce idle time to the absolute minimum.  No more then 2-3 minutes to cool off after high speed high load runs.

Same with a cold start and take off.  Establish oil and air pressure, then about 1 minutes for good luck then drive off.

Increase throttle and speed when water temperature starts of come off the peg.  Keep an eye on fuel pressure and turbo boost.

If not on a tight schedule or if you do not want to race CHP cars keep it at 60 which translates to right at 1500 rpm. 

Keep an eye on the air intake restriction gauge.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: chessie4905 on July 22, 2022, 08:24:28 PM
make sure generator runs off a dedicated tank. Some brands of tires have energy efficient fuel savers. leave off throttle when the light turns yellow before you come to the intersection sooner is better, and easier on brakes too. Easy start out, instead of full throttle. anticipate upcoming grade before you hit it. keep tire pressures up where they are supposed to be. be sure your front end toe in is spot on. synthetic oil in differential. waxed surface or ceramic coated surface of coach. run engine in most efficient rpm. not against governor on two stroke.1750 to 1850 on 71's. less on 92's, even less on 4 cycle. SLOW DOWN! Even if you run at say 55. you'll get used to it in short time and it won't seem slow.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: luvrbus on July 25, 2022, 03:40:46 PM
Quote from: TomC on July 22, 2022, 08:32:42 AM
Cliff there is nothing saying you have to be running in 6th gear. Slow down to 55 and run in 5th-I guarantee your mileage will go up. Good Luck, TomC

Doesn't work for me with 4:56 rear gear
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: luvrbus on July 25, 2022, 03:42:00 PM
Quote from: TomC on July 22, 2022, 08:32:42 AM
Cliff there is nothing saying you have to be running in 6th gear. Slow down to 55 and run in 5th-I guarantee your mileage will go up. Good Luck, TomC

Doesn't work for me with 4:56 rear gear
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: TomC on July 27, 2022, 08:57:42 PM
Let's see-you have 315/80R-22.5 that is 491rpm with 4.56 rear end gives 2234 in 4th, 1656 in 5th, 1432 in 6th. At 55 you would be at 2047 in 4th, 1515 in 5th, 1310 in 6th. Sounds good to me. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: luvrbus on July 28, 2022, 06:35:20 AM
Quote from: TomC on July 27, 2022, 08:57:42 PM
Let's see-you have 315/80R-22.5 that is 491rpm with 4.56 rear end gives 2234 in 4th, 1656 in 5th, 1432 in 6th. At 55 you would be at 2047 in 4th, 1515 in 5th, 1310 in 6th. Sounds good to me. Good Luck, TomC

I must have different gears I am at 1300 @65 mph in 6th ,I am not to worried about saving a 10th of a mpg for safety I an not going to drive 55mpg on the interstates with trucks coming up behind at 75 mph.My cooling fan runs off a PTO on the transmission if that makes a difference
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: robertglines1 on July 28, 2022, 08:48:15 AM
I have 3:07 gears and a eaton autoshift. haven't needed the 10th gear yet to run with traffic. If I did it again would go with 3:73 as a more pleasurable drive experience. you don't creep much with 3:07. example backing trailer.   Bob   ps my salvage shell had no hogs head. so, I could do as I choose.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: Lin on July 28, 2022, 11:26:22 AM
I always found that leaving the toad behind helped a lot.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: TomC on July 28, 2022, 11:35:41 AM
Cliff-that works out to be exactly 3.82 gears. Actually your 65mph speed is a perfect rpm.
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: dtcerrato on July 28, 2022, 11:50:04 AM
Quote from: Lin on July 28, 2022, 11:26:22 AM
I always found that leaving the toad behind helped a lot.

Unless you use the bus to make runs the toad would do!
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: Lin on July 29, 2022, 10:48:12 AM
Yeah, the runs are always a problem!
Title: Re: What do you do to increase your bus's fuel mileage?
Post by: dtcerrato on July 29, 2022, 11:37:07 AM
We're leaving the toad we carried up to Alaska garaged here so on future trips we have the option to fly. It'll be a bitter sweet driving the bus home to FL bareback.