Driving technique

radams · 07-05-2011, 04:23 AM

When stuck in stop and start traffic for extended periods, like Chicago on a Friday afternoon in July, what does one do to help keep the engine and tranny temps within reason? Shifting in and out of gear to increase RPM's doesn't seem like a good idea. Any ideas other than avoiding the situation in the first place?

wa8yxm · 07-05-2011, 08:39 AM

First and foremost make sure the cooling system is well maintained, Clean the outiside (and perhaps the inside) of the system before starting out.. If it's an RV use the generator and roof air instead of dash air.. Beyond that I can't make any suggestions.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 07-05-2011, 08:50 AM

I shift into neutral or Park if I am stalled in traffic on a hot day. Why do you think that's a problem?

Running the generator and roof air instead of dash air helps too.

If your rig overheats quickly in that situation, my guess is that you have a cooling problem. I think your Monterey has a rear radiator and those are notorious for getting clogged with dirt and oily residue. You may just need a good radiator cleaning.

njs42 · 07-05-2011, 09:14 AM

Provided you have fluid in the system and it works fine otherwise---shifting into neutral and increasing and holding reasonable revolutions (coolant circulation) can cool an engine. I have used this technique many times. A good check and cleaning of your system may be in order------you could be down on fluid etc;

Mike Canter · 07-05-2011, 11:02 AM

Regardless of your temperatures if you are actually stopped in traffic for extended periods of time then you should go into neutral and hit high idle function on your cruise control. Extended periods of time to me means stationary for more than five minutes. This is hard to guess but you should not let a diesel run at the low idle speed for extended times.The only thing you are going to have to remember is to kick it out of fast idle before you put it in drive because some MHs will not go into drive if the engine rpm is too high...panic time

radams · 07-05-2011, 01:06 PM

I had the same thoughts as you all so I had the coolant changed last year and this year opened it up and cleaned the radiator real good. It wasn't real dirty and afterwards didn't make a noticeable difference. While I was at that I found where the dash air freon was leaking from so ended up replacing the condenser (g-r-r-r) so I know that's clean as a whistle. It's not that I have overheated, it's just that I don't want to experience it. I watch those temps on the Aladdin and things start puckering up.

I guess I'm just being a bit over cautious about shifting in and out of drive so I'll give that a shot and put her in high idle. That, and avoid Chicago traffic on a Friday afternoon when the ambient hits 100. Thanks for the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it!

TXiceman · 07-05-2011, 06:12 PM

If the cooling system is maintained, using neutral and high idle along with roof air do not work, time for a larger radiator and larger transmission cooler.

Ken

Mike Canter · 07-05-2011, 07:11 PM

The intent of the high idle is to supply better lubrication than at idle as required in all OEM engine owners manuals. Cooling is really not required but is a good side benefit.

mrschwarz · 07-05-2011, 07:14 PM

How do you put an engine into high idle?

frankdamp · 07-05-2011, 07:50 PM

Based on my experience with recent model transit coaches, the engine computer has an idle program to take care of needed above-normal idle speed when the tranny is in neutral or park. Our F-450 diesels had many different idle speed depending on circumstances. They were a crock of the brown stuff in many other respects.

CarlGeo · 07-05-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrschwarz

How do you put an engine into high idle?

You should have a High Idle switch, and you just flip, or push or pull the switch to activate.
Suggest reading your owners manual if in doubt where the switch is located.
CarlGeo

Diplomat Don · 07-05-2011, 08:23 PM

mrschwarz......If you have a SmartWheel, you may be able to set the idle from the SmartWheel. Place the coach in neutral, turn on the cruise control and push the RES (Resume) button. The coach will go into High Idle. On some SmartWheels, you can also adjust the engine idle speed too. With the coach in neutral, the cruise control OFF, push the RES to increase idle speed and SET to lower idle speed. Once the idle is achieved that you want, turn the cruise control ON. This will set your new idle speed.