The Detroit DD5 and DD8 engines offer the longest service intervals in the industry. These advanced engines can go up to 45,000-miles* before needing oil and fuel filter changes.
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Period. Why? Diesel is the most fuel-efficient engine type on the market. Diesel outperforms other fuels in operating range.
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.
School busses are based on diesel or gasoline internal combustion engines for the most part and have 12VDC (or maybe 24VDC as used in larger trucks) systems for starter and lighting.
Diesel powers over 90% of all school buses thanks to its combination of fuel safety, energy efficiency, reliability, durability, established fueling and maintenance network, range and operational flexibility, secondary markets and low acquisition and operating costs.
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.