Community Forums

doorguy · 09-24-2013, 07:58 PM

Clayobx, has anyone ever told you your picture(avatar) with that pose looks strikingly similar to Mark Harmon(Jetro on NCIS)? Just curious.

DSL417 · 09-24-2013, 08:10 PM

Different thread, but most there indicated Economy mode was not grabbing much more than .3 to .4 MPG. That's my experience, if that.

Dr4Film · 09-24-2013, 08:17 PM

Whether to use it or not depends solely on the type of terrain that you are driving in. It won't do anything beneficial on flat lands or mountain terrain. It works best on rolling hills.

All it does is exactly what Mr. D explained earlier. The downshift point is changed by about 200 rpm which means that the Allison will NOT downshift so often causing a decrease in mpg. Again, how much of an improvement in mpg is dependent on your foot and the terrain.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Stormalong · 11-14-2013, 12:42 PM

My o3 Journey with 300 ISB and Allison 3000 does not seem to have a ECO mode. Yes the button is there but no red light ever comes on when pushed. Is it possible that the eco mode was never programmed?

Ray,IN · 12-07-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormalong

My o3 Journey with 300 ISB and Allison 3000 does not seem to have a ECO mode. Yes the button is there but no red light ever comes on when pushed. Is it possible that the eco mode was never programmed?

Have you noticed any difference after pushing the mode button? Perhaps the light is just not functioning. My engine remains in the same gear longer before downshifting, which IMO is a good thing as maximum torque is under 1,600 RPM. I wish there was a way to make economy mode the default.

Dr4Film · 12-08-2013, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I wish there was a way to make economy mode the default.

Actually, in other Allison threads, it has been discovered that some coaches come that way from the factory with the altered shift points being the Norm instead of only when using the Economy Mode.

Take it to your local Allison shop and have them reprogram the ECM for the transmission and your wish will come true.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Ray,IN · 12-09-2013, 09:14 PM

I still like to use the standard mode in stop N go driving, so modifying the ECM/TCM is out. I live about 60 miles from the Allison Transmission plant at Indianapolis, might ask someone there about switching the default.

Dr4Film · 12-09-2013, 09:28 PM

Well, that's what you would get when you reprogram the ECM.

In the normal mode, your shift points would be as if it was in Economy Mode. Then when you switch modes the shift points change to the higher ones.

The default becomes the Economy Mode in the transmission but not on the keypad.

Go to the Cummins shop and let them explain it to you.

I guess the way I had written it down in my last post was somewhat ambiguous to you.

I understand it so let the Cummins shop explain how it works, etc.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Ray,IN · 12-10-2013, 02:00 AM

OK, I got it. My old brain matter gets pretty thick sometimes. The Allison/Cummins shop is on my to-do list. Thanks for explaining, I totally misunderstood what you were trying to tell me.

YC1 · 12-10-2013, 03:33 AM

I have not seen any difference in mileage. What I can tell for sure is acceleration from a stop is much better with the econ mode off. Try it. I rarely turn mine on.

Ray,IN · 12-11-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

I have not seen any difference in mileage. What I can tell for sure is acceleration from a stop is much better with the econ mode off. Try it. I rarely turn mine on.

Eco mode changes transmission shift points to remain in a higher gear until the minimum RPM's for maximum torque are reached. Of course we know lower RPM's to cover the same distance = better fuel mileage. Our first trip I experimented using eco mode and standard. This was driving from Indianapolis to Myrtle Beach. Driving to Myrtle Beach mileage was 6.8 in standard mode, speed between 60-65, towing our Jeep Grand Cherokee. The return trip in eco mode resulted in 7.6 MPG, at same speed and towing Jeep.

The only down-side I noticed using eco mode was, pulling hills the MH would shed speed faster and slow more.
In city/congested driving I noticed I could stay with traffic easier in standard mode, because the transmission would stay in a lower gear longer, and upshift at a higher RPM to gain speed faster.
All in all, that's why I said I wish economy mode was the default. Now that Dr. 4Film/Richard brought me up to speed, I'll have that done.