Blue Bird VISION 2011 Driver'S Handbook Manual Download

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r o u t i n e

o p e r a t i o n

Allison model 3000 Bus series Transmission

The Allison electronic transmission provides five forward speeds and one reverse.
Fourth gear is a 1-to-1 ratio while the fifth gear is an overdrive with a 0.75-to-1 ratio.
The push-button shift selector is located on the right area of the dash. The transmis-
sion and selector must be in neutral to start the engine.

The service brake must be applied before the transmission will shift from neu-

tral to drive or reverse. If an attempt is made to shift the transmission into drive or
reverse without applying the service brake it will remain in neutral, an audible alarm
will sound, and the Range Inhibit light on the instrument panel will come on. If this
occurs, apply the service bake and then select the desired gear.

Transmission and shift selector will return to “N” when engine is stopped and

power switched off. If it does not return to “N” or if it starts in any other gear, the unit
has malfunctioned. Seek service immediately.

The push-button shift selector has “R”, “N”, “D”, down arrow, up arrow, a “MODE”

button, and a digital display. When a range button is pressed, a tone sounds, the
“SELECT” indicator displays the chosen operation (if the Electronic Control Unit [ECU]
determines the shift is acceptable), and the transmission shifts to the starting range
as indicated on the monitor display. In “DRIVE”, selection of a specific gear can be
accomplished by pressing the “UP” or “DOWN” arrow buttons. Conditions resulting in
the “CHECK TRANSMISSION” light, located in the instrument cluster, will disable the
pad and no tones will sound (see Check Transmission Light).

The “MODE” button, located on the push-button shift selector, activates an alter-

nate shift schedule. By default, the start up is in primary or power mode. Pressing the
“MODE” button causes the transmission to enter the economy mode. The display will
indicate the economy mode is engaged. In economy mode, the transmission shifts
to higher gear at lower engine rpm.

Allison model 3000 Bus series Transmission Gear selection

[WARNING]

When leaving the vehicle while the engine is running, the opera-

tor must ensure the transmission is in “Neutral”, the parking brake is engaged,
and the wheels are chocked. The vehicle may move unexpectedly without
these precautions.

r—reverse.

The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting from forward

to reverse or from reverse to forward. The select indicator and the monitor will dis-
play “R” when the vehicle is in reverse.

n—neutral.

Use neutral to start the engine, to check vehicle accessories, and

for extended periods of engine idle operation. Under normal operation, the trans-
mission is directed by the ECU to neutral during the startup procedure. This occurs
automatically with the push-button selector. If the vehicle starts in any range except
neutral, seek service immediately.