If you have an MCI coach with an Allison GEN IV B500/R transmission, knowing your fluid type and following proper change schedules will help keep your coach shifting smoothly. It is also required for maintaining basic and extended warranties.

Starting with the 2007 model year coaches, MCI has partnered with Allison and enrolled in its EDGE program. With the EDGE program, all MCI coaches equipped with an Allison transmission come with a standard three-year warranty from Allison, and an optional two years of additional coverage may be purchased from Allison. Previously, transmissions were covered by a two-year warranty, and an additional three-year extended warranty was offered. Under the EDGE program, all Allison transmissions installed on new MCI coaches are equipped with TranSynd® fluid and Allison genuine filters.

Transmissions still under basic or extended warranty must use fluids meeting the Allison lube specifications listed in TES (Transmission Engineering Specifications) 295 (see Chart 1) and genuine Allison high-capacity filters (part number 29548987) available through MCI Parts or any authorized Allison dealer.

ALLISON TES 295 Approved Oils List

Approved Marketer	Product Brand name	TES 295 Approval Number
Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants	TranSynd®	AN-011001
BP Lubricants	Autran Syn 295	AN-031002
Cognis Corporation	Emgard 2805	AN-031003
International Truck & Engine Company	Fleetrite Synthetic  ATF	AN-031004
ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties Company	Mobil Delvac Synthetic ATF	AN-051005
John Deere & Company	HD SynTran	AN-071006
Volvo Trucks North America	Bulldog Synthetic ATF	AN-1010007
Chart 1

Transmission fluid does not need to be changed with every filter change; however, when replacing filters you may lose about 10 quarts of fluid during the filter change and will need to refill the transmission to the proper level after the filter change is complete.

When using Allison Lube spec TES 295 fluid, change intervals should be as follows:

Fluid	150,000 miles / 6,000 hours / 48 months; whichever comes first
Main Filter	75,000 miles / 3,000 hours / 36 months; whichever comes first
Lube/Auxiliary Filter	75,000 miles / 3,000 hours / 36 months; whichever comes first
Internal Filter	Changed only during transmission overhauls
Initial 10,000 mile change	Not required with TES 295 fluids

This applies to all Allison transmissions participating in the EDGE Program (this includes all MCI 2007 or newer coaches) or Allison transmissions with a purchased extended warranty. Using any oil not listed in TES 295 or a non-Allison genuine filter may void your warranty. Unfortunately, even though Coach Guard® filters are excellent filters, Allison does not approve them for use during the Allison warranty period.

Also note that effective January 2010, per Allison Service Tip 1099N, Allison no longer authorizes the use of DEXRON® III or IV in any of its transmissions.

If you have an earlier model coach with a B500/R transmission, you can choose to follow the above lube requirements, or you can follow Allison's TES 389 approved oil chart (see Chart 2).

ALLISON TES 389 Approved Oils List

Approved Marketer	Product Brand name	TES 389 Approval Number
BP Castrol	Castrol ATF TQ DIII	AA-32222007
BP Castrol	Castrol The Protector Series ATF TQ DIII	AA-32232007
BP Castrol	Castrol TQ DIII	AA-32342007
BP Lubricants	Castrol Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose ATF	AA-32252007
BP Lubricants	Castrol Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose ATF	AA-32362007
Chevron Products Company	Caltex Texamatic 1888	AA-32352007
Chevron Products Company	Chevron Automatic Transmission Fluid HD-389	AA-32012007
Chevron Products Company	Chevron Automatic Transmission Fluid HD-389	AA-32202007
Chevron Products Company	Chevron Automatic Transmission Fluid HD-389	AA-32242007
Chevron Products Company	Chevron Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid Heavy Duty	AA-31992007
Chevron Products Company	Texaco Automatic Transmission Fluid HD-389	AA-32002007
ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Co	Mobil ATF D/M	AA-32792008
Petro-Canada	Petro-Canada ATF D3M	AA-32082007
Shell Lubricants	Donax TA-389	AA-32212007
Shell Lubricants	Donax TX	AA-32332007
Chart 2

 

The service intervals for oils used from TES 389 are more frequent and are as follows:

Fluid	12,000 miles / 500 hours / 6 months; whichever comes first
Primary Filter	25,000 miles / 500 hours / 6 months; whichever comes first
Lube/Auxiliary Filter	25,000 miles / 500 hours / 6 months; whichever comes first
Internal Filter	Changed only during transmission overhauls
Initial 10,000 mile change	Not required when using a high capacity filter

Changing your transmission fluid and filters on time and on schedule will help keep your coaches running on time and on schedule. Using the right fluids and filters will also help keep your Allison Transmission protected from early wear and tear as well as keep your transmission covered under the Allison Warranty. If you need further assistance please contact MCI Technical Support at 800-241-2947, or you can contact Allison at (800)-524-2303.

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