Successful Bus Cleanup Program Offers Money Saving Lessons for Iowa Motorists

Next to a home, a vehicle is likely the most costly item you own. But with each mile and year, vehicles not only lose value, their performance can drop. A new program designed to cut school bus emissions, however, is yielding lessons for all motorists.

By taking advantage of what state school officials are learning, you can take the driver’s seat to slow depreciation and slash operating costs. That helps keep money in your wallet, power under the hood and reduce emissions. Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Bus Emissions Education Program (BEEP) is designed to help school bus fleets rev-up performance while cutting costs and emissions. The goal is to make Iowa’s buses the cleanest in the U.S. by reducing harmful diesel soot particles.

Twice in 2004, voluntary school bus emission tests were offered free through BEEP. Donors such as Banker’s Trust and the Iowa Farm Bureau help fund the beneficial effort, and emission testing is courtesy of Radcliffe-based Mirenco, Inc. Since smoke often means unburned fuel, the valuable data helps schools target scarce resources to those buses that could reap the most cost savings and efficiency from a mechanic's touch. The tests help detect emissions and combustion inefficiencies that otherwise can go unnoticed even with good mechanical upkeep. Akin to a person who feels healthy but learns of a medical condition after a diagnostic test, knowledge can make a priceless difference. The startling results and basic lessons gleaned from emissions tests apply to individual motorists and cars as well, even without the aid of an exhaust test.

Still not sold on the benefits of simple maintenance? Then read what these bus mechanics who took advantage of the program have to say.

“I was surprised at the ease at which we saw some significant improvements,” explained Dave Kramer, maintenance supervisor for the Johnston School District. The simple test found that bus 29 was one of four buses of their 30-bus fleet with high emissions. An air filter change gave better fuel combustion and dropped unhealthy soot output 70 percent. The other buses were repaired by valve adjustments — the diesel equivalent of a simple tune-up for gasoline engines.

“Those are things that are extremely easy to do for minimal cost. I was surprised by the easy difference we could make with minimal effort. My mindset is that if we can do it, anyone can do it. You don’t need to be a mechanical guru. You can make significant differences by observation and simple things,” said Kramer, referring to all Iowa motorists and their vehicles.

He said poor combustion not only wastes fuel and creates smoke, it coats cylinder walls with fuel that washes protective oil from sealant rings creating more wear. Left unchecked it could have meant a new bus engine, which costs between $6,500 to $10,000 each. The air filter was an inexpensive, simple-to-install part that costs $5 for cars and $10 for buses.

A little wrench work yielded similar successes in eastern Iowa. All 14 buses in the Jesup Community School District fleet tested well for emissions, except bus 10. After simple repairs, though, “Every driver asked what happened to bus 10,” said Gary Henderson, head mechanic at Jesup Community School District. “It went from a 58 mph to a 68 mph bus overnight.” Before repair, unburned diesel fuel passed through the engine and tailpipe as excess soot. Better combustion yielded fuel savings and power with a simple valve adjustment and new air filter.

Dolores Bergert, transportation director for Central Community, said BEEP emissions data helped her pinpoint mechanical problems undetected by drivers. “The testing gives us insight on engine combustion problems. Then, we can get the engine repaired before it becomes a big problem. That’s a big benefit to us and is going to save us money.”

Money Saving Tips To Rev-up Power, Hold Resale And Cut Soot

While Iowa’s schools are benefiting from free emissions tests, you don’t need emissions data to profit from preventative maintenance. You can cut fuel costs, reduce harmful emissions and improve resale value while getting better engine performance with these simple, money-saving tips. Here’s how.

Read the directions
Read the owner’s manual. Following recommended maintenance helps prevent malfunctioning parts before they cause problems or serious and expensive damage. Some parts need routine checks, others such as filters and fluids, need routine replacement. If you don’t keep service records, start now.

Huff and puff
Dirty air filters are a common problem, despite the paltry cost ($5) and a quick do-it-yourself job. Dirty, clogged air filters choke airflow, starving combustion and emitting smoke you may not even see. This unburned fuel and extra emissions not only harms the environment, but can damage valves and cylinders, further reducing power and fuel efficiency. Regularly replace air filters following the owner’s manual, and replace more often if you drive in dusty conditions.

Oxygen Sensors: An exhaustive effort
Ignoring your oxygen sensor is an economic double-whammy. The sensor checks oxygen levels in the exhaust, then onboard computers adjust the fuel mix in the combustion chamber for peak, efficient performance. As sensors wear, engines can burn excess fuel at your cost.

Extra emissions also work the expensive catalytic converter to death. Avoid this by changing the oxygen sensor following the owner’s manual rather than waiting for the “check engine” warning light.

The Big Engine that couldn’t
Paying for a big, powerful engine only to sacrifice horsepower and waste fuel is foolish. Get routine tune-ups for peak performance and fuel savings. Ensure fuel injectors are checked for efficiency-robbing deposits that increase emissions and make the vehicle harder to start and drive. Tune-ups pay for themselves in fuel savings and averted engine wear.

For more information about the BEEP program contact Mindy Kralicek, air quality information specialist.