econo mode

[flukey81]

Just wondering how you change the transmission to econo mode

[RickO]

There is a button on the shift pad labeled "mode". When econo mode is on there is a red light on that button. At least on mine.

Rick

[wa8yxm]

The answer varies a bit with the transmission. Allison transmissions have several optional modes.. The factory will program in ONE of those modes.. On mine it's "Grade Brake" but a pick up may come with "Tow/Haul" or with Econo-Mode. I get the impression (I am an Allison lover and user but NOT an expert on the system) that a programmer change the "Optional" mode.

Other transmissions may have differnet optional modes, or even just one optional mode.

Some have none

The one thing that is constant however is this: There are but two ways to change transmission modes depending on, not the transmission, but the dash.

I have a switch, clearly labeled (That is optional) on is one mode, off the other.

Some have a button or two which operates the driver information/Human INterface system and you go into the menus there and change it. (That takes an owner's manual the first time)

IF your transmission has optional modes. and there is no switch for just that.. Check out the Human Interface system.

[TGMarrs]

Same here, hit the button that says mode and a little red light will cone on. Your coach manuel will tell you what feature the mode button activates, but pretty much all of them are factory set for economy mode.

I notice about a 1 mpg gain when I use mine in the mountains or hilly areas with the cruise control on, but crossing Texas in flat land didn't see much of a difference.

[MaverickBBD]

On my Alison MH3000 it is programmed so that when I press the "mode" button a red light comes on the upper left corned and I am in the "economy mode". When the "economy" starts is another question entirely.

[Mr_D]

The economy mode changes the shift points by approx 200 rpm. It also hols the transmission in gear longer so it "lugs" down to the torque peak before shifting down. It's not much of a change but if the trans is "hunting" back and forth in hilly country it might stop it. Since I put the Banks kit on I run with it on most of the time.

[1ciderdog]

What transmission are we discussing? That might make a difference.
Safe Travels

[Mike Canter]

On the Allison 3000 and 4000 series the Economy Mode according to the Allison manuals only changes the shift schedule. If you are on a flat road and the transmission is NOT downshifting then it has ZERO effect. Where it is most noticed on in town stop and go traffic and on hills when the transmission is required to downshift. According to Allison when starting from a standstill it will shift out of each gear sooner or at a lower rpm. On hill climbing it will not downshift as soon but will allow the engine to lug down to a lower rpm before shifting. This can be good or bad depending on the engine and MH weight and the grade of the hill. If find that on my MH that if I am in Economy mode on a hill and the rpm drops down too far then my turbo makes more boost and requires more fuel. If I let the tranny downshift sooner then the boost stays down and I use less fuel but you would need a boost gauge to see that.

[moisheh]

TGmars: Your tranny shoiuld NOT be in Econo mode in the mountains. You may be lugging the engine. HD vehicles require some manual input from the driver such as downshifting when necessary in the mountains.

[TGMarrs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh TGmars: Your tranny shoiuld NOT be in Econo mode in the mountains. You may be lugging the engine. HD vehicles require some manual input from the driver such as downshifting when necessary in the mountains.

That's a good point... I do manually downshift to keep the RPMs higher on the long hills, with your comment I will listen to the engine/rpm a little more on the short pulls as well.

The biggest advantage I notice on my encono mode is the cruise will allow me to lose speed going up inclines and small hills like overpasses. If I am not in the mode the coach WILL maintain the programmed speed, which usually means high turbo boost on the gauge, full throttle, and downshifting. This is where my fuel savings comes from... I would rather the cruise let the speed vary :-)

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moisheh TGmars: Your tranny shoiuld NOT be in Econo mode in the mountains. You may be lugging the engine. HD vehicles require some manual input from the driver such as downshifting when necessary in the mountains.

Not necessarily true!! The trans will downshift at the peak torque RPM which is safe to run at full throttle without damaging the engine or transmission. The transmission programming is such that it won't allow the engine to do anything that would damage either one.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Not necessarily true!! The trans will downshift at the peak torque RPM which is safe to run at full throttle without damaging the engine or transmission. The transmission programming is such that it won't allow the engine to do anything that would damage either one.

I agree... with an exception.

It is sometimes good practice to down shift on long hauls in hot weather to keep the RPM high enough to prevent the engine from getting too hot.

Rick

[Skip426]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog What transmission are we discussing? That might make a difference. Safe Travels

I agree with ciderdog, the OP needs to get his trans model #and year, and download an operators manual . If no down load available from Allison, then re-post for help.