How many miles can a school bus engine last?

How many miles can a school bus engine last? My rule of thumb when I was shopping for a bus was a well maintained gas bus with under 100,000 miles or a well maintained diesel bus with under 200,000. In theory, a well maintained diesel engine can practically run forever. I drive city buses. They often have multiple million miles before they retire them.

Are bus engines reliable?

Some alternatively fueled engines like propane or gasoline may need to be replaced two to three times during the normal lifecycle of a school bus. Clean-diesel engines, on the other hand, are built to last 15-20 years.

How many miles per gallon does a diesel school bus get?

According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, school buses get an average fuel economy of just 6.02 miles per gallon (MPG).

What fuel do most buses use?

Diesel. Among other types of fuel transport vehicles use, diesel fuel is a popular choice for those working with larger-capacity vehicles such as buses, vans, trucks, and boats.

What is the highest speed a school bus can go?

If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: school buses are regulated by states to not exceed 55-65 mph depending on the type of bus. Their governors generally limit maximum speed to between 65-78 mph. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about school bus speeds.

How many miles can a school bus go on a tank of gas?

If a school bus had an 80-gallon tank and operated with a fuel economy of about 6 miles per gallon, it could travel about 480 miles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average school bus travels 12,000 miles per year ⁴.

What engine is best for a school bus?

With the Cummins B6. 7, L9, or Cummins Westport B6. 7N and L9N, you can't go wrong with your first pick when it comes to providing a highly reliable, clean emissions power source.

Do school buses get good gas mileage?

How Much MPG Does a School Bus Get? Admittedly, the average school bus's fuel economy is what you'd expect of a bus—not great. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, school buses get an average fuel economy of just 6.02 miles per gallon (MPG).

How many MPG does an old school bus get?

Type 'A' buses on the Ford chassis with the 460 gas V-8 got 5-9 MPG with the honest average closer to 5 MPG than to 9 MPG. The Type 'A' buses on the Chevy/GMC chassis with the 6.2L diesel V-8 were underpowered, slow, noisy, and not very fuel efficient. 10-14 MPG. The engines were pretty stout but underpowered in a bus.

What is considered high mileage for a bus?

How do you quantify really high mileage. 100k-200k is nothing for a bus. 500k+ you're pushing it depending on your mechanical skills. You'll pay more for a lower mileage bus, but it will require a little less in maintenance for the first few years.

What is the average mileage of a bus?

If a school bus had an 80-gallon tank and operated with a fuel economy of about 6 miles per gallon, it could travel about 480 miles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average school bus travels 12,000 miles per year ⁴.

How many miles does a diesel bus get?

On average, a clean-diesel school bus can travel about 510 miles on a tank of diesel vs. only 270 miles on gasoline, based on the same standard-sized fuel tanks. Newer engines, like the Detroit™ DD5™ and DD8™ diesel engines, show an additional three percent increase in fuel efficiency.

Are gas or diesel buses better?

A diesel engine requires less fuel to produce the same output as a gas engine. A conventional gas engine operates via a spark ignition system, which burns more fuel than a diesel engine's combustion system. As a result, diesel buses are more fuel-efficient per gallon and burn less fuel while idling.

How long do school bus diesel engines last?

Over the long haul, newer diesel engines will last 15-20 years in a fleet, while a gasoline engine may need to be replaced once or even twice during the life of a school bus. “All of these are important for fleet managers to stop and consider when choosing a new school bus,” says Hedgecock.

How many miles per gallon does a gas bus get?

The average bus gets between 6 and 9 mpg, depending on many factors (size of bus, wind, speed, and of course how heavily loaded). That being said, it's not usually gas mileage. The majority of buses have diesel engines. Some run on propane, and a few on gasoline, but mostly diesel.

What is the most fuel-efficient school bus?

Diesel school buses are already the most fuel-efficient in the industry, due to a higher BTU count compared to other fuels, providing better fuel economy and a longer operating range compared to similar-sized gasoline, propane or compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.