School Bus Fleet Magazine Forums
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
 All Forums
 Professional Garage
 Enter Forum: Professional Garage
 Gasoline Buses Fuel Mileage
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  05:37:20 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Anyone running gas buses on here? I'm interested in your fuel mileage and the price per gallon you are paying.

JoeHEB1
Advanced Member

498 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  06:10:02 AM  Show Profile  Visit JoeHEB1's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I have 3 IC gassers coming. I'll keep you posted when we get the data in.
Go to Top of Page

black
Active Member

USA
49 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  06:18:06 AM  Show Profile  Visit black's Homepage  Reply with Quote
The Blue Bird gasoline buses have averaged from 6-7.5 MPG depending on the route and the driver. No problems with them so far.
Go to Top of Page

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  06:42:35 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by black

The Blue Bird gasoline buses have averaged from 6-7.5 MPG depending on the route and the driver. No problems with them so far.



I have heard 6.5 to 7. Just thought that was pretty dang good.

Bryan
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  07:19:30 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've got 3 so far and 5 more on the way. I'm in south Georgia, No A/C on the bus and all 3 are at or near 5,000 miles and they get 5.35, 5.58, 5.89 since we've had them. 2 of them went from Savannah, Ga to Disney world and got 9.07 and 9.19 on the highway. One bus has went to Charleston twice and got 7.91 and 7.17 on that highway trip.
So far we are please and the drivers are really liking how quiet the bus is and it's take off power.

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

Kodie
Top Member

United States
2028 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2018 :  7:50:13 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The key here is not what the fuel economy is for each bus, but how it compares to the diesel buses they replaced. That's more impactful, in my opinion.
Go to Top of Page

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2018 :  05:39:15 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Kodie

The key here is not what the fuel economy is for each bus, but how it compares to the diesel buses they replaced. That's more impactful, in my opinion.



Well, gasoline is less expensive per gallon. So, if gasoline gets even close to the same mileage you are ahead by a long shot.

Bryan
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2018 :  11:09:25 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Kodie

The key here is not what the fuel economy is for each bus, but how it compares to the diesel buses they replaced. That's more impactful, in my opinion.



There are many factors other than fuel economy. Filter price, oil capacity and price. No fuel filter on a gas bus. No DEF on a gas bus. If the price of gas is cheaper but you get less mpg's, they equal or close to it. So now here is the savings.

GAS DIESEL CUMMINS
OIL FILTER $5.26 $11.46
OIL 11.76 30.96
Fuel filter 0 32.26
35.10
air filter $18.90 49.80
C.C. Breather ? 79.90

You do the math anyway you want on the routine maintenance items but there are some big savings right there. Now our Diesel buses are averaging 3 oil changes per year. They travel roughly 30,000 miles a year while under warranty. This will drop to 2 a year out of warranty because we don't send them on long trips once warranty drops off.

Of course with diesel you also have the cost of all the aftertreatment issues. Which are in the thousands everytime something goes wrong.
You can replace a Roush V10 block for the price of a MaxxForce turbo charger!

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

thomas86_a
Top Member

USA
4413 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2018 :  7:32:37 PM  Show Profile  Visit thomas86_a's Homepage  Send thomas86_a an AOL message  Reply with Quote
It was 20 years ago this month when I drove the last gas bus in our district on a regular route. At that time I certainly didn't think we'd even be having this conversation 20 years later. Now I'm guessing we won't be seeing that 5 speed manual transmission return anytime soon, nobody would be able to drive the bus!

If you have an International, you NEED customer service.
Go to Top of Page

Fastback
Top Member

1500 Posts

Posted - 06/12/2018 :  05:02:04 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
"Of course with diesel you also have the cost of all the aftertreatment issues. Which are in the thousands everytime something goes wrong."

the curse of the diesel check engine lights and subsequent engine
derate...

Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback
Go to Top of Page

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/12/2018 :  05:24:28 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
No fuel filter?

Bryan
Go to Top of Page

black
Active Member

USA
49 Posts

Posted - 06/13/2018 :  05:42:30 AM  Show Profile  Visit black's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Had a neighboring school district say the IC salesman and factory rep brought an IC/gasoline demo by for them to look at. IC rep is claiming the 8.8L gasoline engine will get 9mpg. They also were claiming that you don't want Aluminum heads (V-10 Ford)and that the cast iron heads on the 8.8L PSI engine is superior. Why would you want Cast Iron heads over Aluminum heads?
Go to Top of Page

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/13/2018 :  06:18:20 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by black

Had a neighboring school district say the IC salesman and factory rep brought an IC/gasoline demo by for them to look at. IC rep is claiming the 8.8L gasoline engine will get 9mpg. They also were claiming that you don't want Aluminum heads (V-10 Ford)and that the cast iron heads on the 8.8L PSI engine is superior. Why would you want Cast Iron heads over Aluminum heads?



The only thing I can think of is that the plugs will get seized up in them if you aren't diligent in your maintenance. They need to be changed at about 75k (or less). Not sure why Ford (or Roush) doesn't put some sort of anti-seize on them. As we've spoken about on this forum before, every engine/ brand of bus has their own troubles. It is really just picking your evil to battle. In our industry it has a lot to do with the dealer that you are working with. I'm not even sure that the big three bus manufactures realize how much their dealers mean to many of the people who maintain this equipement.

Bryan
Go to Top of Page

eshover
Senior Member

146 Posts

Posted - 06/13/2018 :  1:10:10 PM  Show Profile  Visit eshover's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hey Bryan, the newest operators manual indicates to change plugs at 60,000 miles. Mine has just over 60,000 and I was wondering what you change yours at.
Thanks,
ED
Go to Top of Page

bwest
Administrator

United States
3820 Posts

Posted - 06/13/2018 :  1:18:23 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by eshover

Hey Bryan, the newest operators manual indicates to change plugs at 60,000 miles. Mine has just over 60,000 and I was wondering what you change yours at.
Thanks,
ED



I saw that! If I remember correctly, they used to say 100k. I was thinking of changing mine at 60k as well. My oldest one has 95k on it and I actually started having trouble at about 80k. Like to have never got a couple of them out. They aren't hard to change if they don't get seized.

Bryan
Go to Top of Page

Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 10/20/2020 :  12:30:57 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
2020 update for anyone still watching....

9 weeks in with two IC gassers. Combined mileage is about 8000 between the two units. The heavy footed guy is getting consistently 5.2-5.6 while the lighter footed gal is consistent at 4.7-4.9 but she FINALLY joined the 5 club late last week!

These things seem to like to be used hard...I'd have bet on him getting worse miles than her.
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  08:52:39 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Here my 14 Blue Bird gas. 443,826 miles. 6.2 mpg.

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  09:35:53 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
That's excellent. Thanks for sharing!
Go to Top of Page

Sherm
Top Member

USA
621 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  10:55:48 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
What's your mileage on newer diesels? Somewhere in the 8-9 mpg range? Is your unleaded price cheaper than your diesel price?
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  11:49:54 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sherm

What's your mileage on newer diesels? Somewhere in the 8-9 mpg range? Is your unleaded price cheaper than your diesel price?



Diesel Blue Birds are 9 cummins 6.7, 792,368 miles, 8.4 mpg average

Gas. 1.36 per gallon
Diesel 1.34 per gallon

Here's the cost savings.
GAS
OIL FILTER $5.26
OIL 11.76
Fuel filter 0

air filter $18.90
C.C. Breather ?
DEF

Cummins Diesel
Oil Filter 11.46
Oil 30.96
Fuel Filters 32.26 and 35.10
Air filter 49.80
C.C. Breather 79.90
Def 1.95 a gal


Like mentioned above, anything aftertreatment will cost thousands.

US Army retired CMBT

Edited by - RonF on 10/22/2020 03:05:53 AM
Go to Top of Page

Sherm
Top Member

USA
621 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  12:13:42 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Agreed. The MPG comparison is better than I expected and for now, the fuel prices are favorable. Gas buses are a good choice over diesel in my opinion. We've had good results from propane and will continue with them for the foreseeable future.
Go to Top of Page

CISDbusman
Advanced Member

305 Posts

Posted - 10/21/2020 :  3:28:11 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Out of curiosity how many miles do you that have gas busses in your fleet put on a bus before its retired or becomes the backup for the backup?
Go to Top of Page

Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 10/22/2020 :  06:06:27 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I accept that the gas bus will probably cost a little more to run day to day based on the loss of MPG...but when I don't have to do stuff like buy a $3000 turbocharger at a mere 50,000 miles...that's where I'm planning on saving money.

No set time or mileage to replaced or downgrade a bus here, we go on a case by case (bus by bus) basis. I'm trading in an 06 this year, and still have an 01 out there.
Go to Top of Page

Sherm
Top Member

USA
621 Posts

Posted - 10/22/2020 :  08:09:56 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's hard to account for every single expense (DEF, sensors, DPF's, etc.) but it's a safe bet you'll save money on a very expensive repair at some point. Non-diesel buses also open up the pool of available technician candidates.
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 10/22/2020 :  10:05:56 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Thomasbus24

I accept that the gas bus will probably cost a little more to run day to day based on the loss of MPG...but when I don't have to do stuff like buy a $3000 turbocharger at a mere 50,000 miles...that's where I'm planning on saving money.

No set time or mileage to replaced or downgrade a bus here, we go on a case by case (bus by bus) basis. I'm trading in an 06 this year, and still have an 01 out there.




We don't have set miles or age ether. It will stay on the road until it is no longer cost effective to repair.

Right now our oldest gas bus is a 2018 with 45,000.

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

exmod110
Senior Member

150 Posts

Posted - 10/23/2020 :  08:29:10 AM  Show Profile  Visit exmod110's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Take a look into some longer term service items, Last I inquired (Canadian$) oem parts. spark plugs were in the 80.00 each range, the muffler was 2g and we have one gone back for it's 3rd time for bank 1 cat efficiency. Cat's are in the 2g range O2 sensors, 250 ea.. evap can was 1g+ also. All of this has been under warranty but that will eventually change. It's nit picking compared to diesel parts but some of the prices are just nuts for what the parts are.

Edited by - exmod110 on 10/23/2020 08:33:47 AM
Go to Top of Page

Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 10/23/2020 :  09:12:18 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I actually priced all that sort of stuff out through the dealer before I recommended the units. I agree that some of the prices are ridiculous but I'm remaining optimistic that aftermarket stuff will start to appear...particularly the spark plugs which are insanely priced.

We've had to buy so much SCR crap out of warranty that I'm still feeling pretty good at $41.90 USD (today's price) a spark plug. Sad but true.
Go to Top of Page

RonF
Top Member

867 Posts

Posted - 10/23/2020 :  11:44:38 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Thomasbus24

I actually priced all that sort of stuff out through the dealer before I recommended the units. I agree that some of the prices are ridiculous but I'm remaining optimistic that aftermarket stuff will start to appear...particularly the spark plugs which are insanely priced.

We've had to buy so much SCR crap out of warranty that I'm still feeling pretty good at $41.90 USD (today's price) a spark plug. Sad but true.




$80 for spark plugs? Which bus? Blue Bird with the V-10's are $14.95 from Napa here.

US Army retired CMBT
Go to Top of Page

flint1
Senior Member

Canada
74 Posts

Posted - 10/23/2020 :  4:41:48 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The 80$ spark plug is laughable. I actually called NGK directly. The part # was on a 2 year exclusive distribution thru Navistar. That should end soon. I compared to a GM 8.1L spark plug. The plug and wire are identical.
As for mpg, the driver using the new gasser had a DT466 before.
She averaged 8.5mpg with the DT, averaging 7.9 with the gasser.
For 2019 IC changed the axle ratio and enabled the 6th gear in the allison. Very pleasant to drive.
Go to Top of Page

Thomasbus24
Administrator

USA
4544 Posts

Posted - 10/27/2020 :  07:24:47 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yeah, I have zero intention of buying the $41.90 OEM spark plugs when the times comes!!!!
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
 


School Bus Fleet Magazine Forums © 2022 School Bus Fleet Magazine Go To Top Of Page
This page was generated in 0.36 seconds. Snitz Forums 2000