Allison Economy Mode

[Crasher]

We just returned to Lake Havasu from ST George, UT today. Again, I turned on the ECO mode at startup. I'm always impressed how well the coach can climb the long grades and not shift out of 6th gear at all or just into 5th near the top. When the rpm gets down under 1500, it pulls harder. When it drops to about 1300, the downshift to 5th puts it back to just above the peak torque. I question whether there is much difference in MPGs, although the numbers seem to be a slight improvement, I use it for the increased pulling and lower engine speed.

My son is coming down on the same trip tomorrow with his Newell. He weighs over 73,000# with his trailer. He's going to try ECO mode with his 600 Cummins and let me know what he finds.

[Prof_T]

Originally Posted by wkmoore41

I believe the transmission coasts or free wheels in the economy mode. Which when in the city is not good because you use your brakes more to stop and go. No engine back pressure. Down shifts are more severe and jerky. There is less downshifting on hills and you can let it roll down hill.

On my Wanderlodge while in cruise control it will speed up down a hill. The Jake is not active. I would assume that the transmission stays in 6th but the Jake is off.

[Ken Thompson]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Climbing grades, I want to be near peak HP. Not peak torque!

It’s torque that gets you up the hills, not horsepower.

[Al K]

How does one change to Economy mode anyways?

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Al K

How does one change to Economy mode anyways?

An Allison dealer will need to program the ECU to default to economy mode. 99% of RV's are programmed for power mode to be the default setting.


OR you can just push the mode button each time after you start the motor (less $$, more hassle).

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by Ken Thompson

It’s torque that gets you up the hills, not horsepower.

Well, since several of you are saying this, I'll try this again next time out.

Usually I've found it falls on it's face when climbing in a higher gear at 1400rpm (peak torque). Sure I could drop a gear and climb at 1400, but at a lower speed than at 2000rpm, in that same gear.

[NMartorano]

Good Morning All! So I just made the trip back home from Nashville to Pompano Beach Florida and I used the Economy mode the entire trip! I have never even tried the Economy mode as I thought Economy Mode really means Less Power/better mileage! That is just not the case! I am amazed at how the computer controls the RPM'S to keep the engine in the torque band and once up to speed, it allows the engine more RPM's. There was a couple of times going up into the mountains, where I got stuck behind a couple of Big rigs that slowed me way down, so as several other people suggested, once the big rigs moved over, I simply used the arrows to down shift to a lower gear and my Entegra climbed back to my desired speed, effortlessly! There was no gain in my miles per gallon but I didn't really expect any. I was towing my 2017 F350 and stayed between 65 and 70 MPH and averaged 8 miles per gallon! Not too bad!

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by NMartorano

I am amazed at how the computer controls the RPM'S to keep the engine in the torque band and once up to speed, it allows the engine more RPM's.

What do you mean by " once up to speed, it allows the engine more RPM's"

Once the transmission has shifted into 6th gear, the rpm's related to speed are the same as in normal mode except it will hold in sixth gear to a lower speed/rpm before downshifting. All of the upshifting occurs and a lower rpms than in normal.

[NMartorano]

Originally Posted by Crasher

What do you mean by " once up to speed, it allows the engine more RPM's"

Once the transmission has shifted into 6th gear, the rpm's related to speed are the same as in normal mode except it will hold in sixth gear to a lower speed/rpm before downshifting. All of the upshifting occurs and a lower rpms than in normal.

More RPMs as speed increased

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by NMartorano

More RPMs as speed increased

How is that different from Normal mode?