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Economy Mode

Yahoo Message Number: 17163
I have experimented quite a bit with the Allison transmission economy mode and could never find any significant difference with it on or off until recently. We have been doing lots of driving in the rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont area. I finally figured out one significant effect that economy mode has...

With economy mode OFF, the Allison transmission will quickly downshift to a lower gear when climbing a hill to maintain a higher RPM and better acceleration up the hill. This often results in many unnecessary transmission shifts as we move through the rolling hills of the Piedmont.

When I turn economy mode ON, the transmission will hold a gear longer and do a lot less shifting between gears. I don't really notice any difference in ability to get up the hills, but I do notice a big difference in the way the transmission computer handles shifting on the rolling terrain. On smaller hills, the transmission will stay in 6th gear for a longer period utilizing the maximum torque output of the diesel engine for a longer period of time before shifting to a lower gear. When it finally does downshift to 5th gear, it will hold that gear for a much longer period of time, again utilizing the full maximum torque output of the engine, before downshifting again if needed.

Try it! It is not a technique that I would use when driving in big mountains, but it makes driving through rolling terrain more enjoyable with a lot less "gear seeking".

Bob Kumza

2003 Intrigue with Cummins 400 ISL

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 17164
Yup - this is exactly the type of road I use it on to keep the tranny from hunting for a lower gear.
Dave
#30187

Quote from: rvrobert2003

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 17167
Thank you for posting this experience with the econ mode. While we were out this weekend in our Inspire I was trying to read the manual about this mode but did not get to far.

Thanks again for your post!

Kary & Carolyn
05 Inspire - 51499

Economy Mode

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62055
I have a Allison 4000 transmission. I have never understood the economy mode. The transmission automaticlly shifts to 6th gear after you reach 58 MPH So what does the Economy Mode do?? Vic 2003 Magna 6253

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62056

VIc:

It does very little IMO. It causes the transmission so shift to the next higher gear a little bit earlier and keeps it in the higher gear a bit longer as you slow down. For instance the shift from 5th to 6th as you accelerate occurs about 5mph earlier than if not in economy mode.
If it does anything else significant I have been unable to find or experience it. The little red LED looks cool at night though.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62057
Vic, if you are or want to be engaged in driving habits to optimize MPG then using the econo mode can improve MPG.
The real value comes on hilly terrain, where the econo mode will help hold 6th gear longer or not drop to 5th at all, which is less fuel efficient.
The idea is to keep it in 6th and avoid a 6-5-6-5-6 pattern on rolling terrain. That's the essence of the benefit. There some techniques to this as well.
Vic, I have 2 articles related to the topic. Email me directly if you'd like copies.

Lee
---

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62058

Hi Lee,

I'd be interested in the articles. Do you have any feel on what kind of difference it can actually make? As noted I couldn't see anything significant watching Silver Leaf and testing various speeds, etc.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62114
Lee

I believe economy mode will allow a greater varience from the set speed when going down hill before the engine brake applies (if on).

George Harper
04 Allure
31093

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62131
Lee

It has been my understanding from Allison reps that the economy mode is not for towing.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62156
Humm, this may be a confusion between a motorhome hauling a typical tow car, which is relatively insignificant in weigh to the coach and the Allison 3000 or 4000 hardly notices the tow vehicle weight; versus a pickup towing a rig of very significant weight compared to the pick-up, requiring the 'Tow/Haul' mode.
Having said that, a motorhome pulling a big/loaded toy box might be a situation along the lines of what your Allison Rep was thinking.

Lee

Economy Mode

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80167
While trying to learn everything about our new to us coach, I read in the very thick book on my coach about the transmission having an economy mode for a little better fuel mileage.
This book says to look in the Allison manual that I got with the all the paperwork. I looked through the plastic bin and unable to find any manual or paperwork on the transmission.
So, how do I get the trans to shift to the "Economy Mode" Thanks,

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80172
On your control panal for the transmission is a button that says mode. Just push that button after you get underway and a red light will come on indicating you are in economy mode. You have to do that everytime you shut down the engine and restart. It does work however and saves considerable money over time.

From: Dave Hansen

To: "Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com" Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:55 AM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Economy Mode

While trying to learn everything about our new to us coach, I read in the very thick book on my coach about the transmission having an economy mode for a little better fuel mileage.
This book says to look in the Allison manual that I got with the all the paperwork. I looked through the plastic bin and unable to find any manual or paperwork on the transmission.
So, how do I get the trans to shift to the "Economy Mode" Thanks,

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad
Mountains of So Cal

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80178
Bob, I've experimented with the Economy Mode and my conclusion is that if you are traveling through the Midwest with rolling hills the Economy Mode can make a small difference. However, traveling up and down the west coast through the mountains the difference is undetectable. For instance, we drove from Eugene, OR to Seattle last week and got great mileage from Eugene to Portland. Once we started climbing hills on I-5 in Washington and then climbing into the foothills we were back to our usual 6.5 MPG.

Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872 with C13

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80186
Dave, what has been said so far is correct. However, getting the best MPG in Econo Mode is not a passive exercise.
You have to learn how to drive, keeping you tranny in 6th all the time. Takes some knowledge, practice, and a willingness to learn how to do it. It is part science/mechanics and art. Rolling hills are the best environment to gain MPG that way. There is a negligible difference in mountains and on the flats.
Also adds to interest and skill of the motorhome driving experience.

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Economy Mode

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80193
Lee hit this one spot on. It can help in some driving areas, but it does take some learning to get the 'feel' of the right foot and anticipate the shifting demands on what is happening based upon the road way ahead.
I have also found I currently (will still keep trying on this, as my 'seat' time is still very much on the rookie side of DP driving:)!) do not like Economy Mode activated on the in town driving I do. Many little hills, and while I still do all of the right foot egg under the pedal driving that I can - I find that I like non economy mode while in town traffic. I also like the Jake on low compression for in town freeway driving, sometimes in heavy stop and go, I step it up to high.
Good luck with our driving ahead, and have fun learning how it goes for you...
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Economy Mode

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80196
I want to thank all that responded. Now I understand how it works. Now I have to try it and understand it workings when I'm driving. I downloaded the article in the FMCA magazine that I was given.
Again, thanks to all Dave
07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev