Miscellaneous
Summer Maintenance Guide For School Buses
Summer is the perfect time to tackle school bus maintenance. Usually, only a fraction of the fleet is in service running summer-school routes. Operators can more easily rotate out school buses and ensure every model gets a thorough inspection. If repairs and parts replacement are needed, there is plenty of time to get them done before school starts up again.
Follow the below tips to make the most of summer school bus maintenance. For more summer maintenance advice or to shop school buses for sale, contact Creative Bus Sales.
The School Bus Body
Start by looking over the school bus’s body. A few small dents and scratches are fine, but larger areas of damage are more concerning. Check that the mirrors, grills, and windows are all in good condition. If the school bus has not been washed in a while, now is a good time for a thorough cleaning. This is also a great opportunity to restore the shine by polishing the bus so its ready for the start of school.
Engine Maintenance
Do a visual inspection of the school bus engine and be on the lookout for these red flags:
- Broken seals
- Blocked vents
- Leaking oil
- Valves, tubes, filters, plugs, and wires that do not look right
Then, do a test drive and make sure there are no odd sounds or instances of reduced performance.
The Lights
Functioning lights are an essential part of safe school bus operation. They help drivers see upcoming obstacles and improve the school bus’s visibility to other motorists. Get another person to help you test each and every light. Check for proper brightness, connections, and wiring.
The Horn
This summer school bus maintenance step is quite simple. Give the horn a quick honk and make sure it is working as it should.
The Brakes
Make sure the gears, brakes, clutch, and pedals are working correctly. Any signs of damage, such as odd noises or reduced performance, should be checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Oil And Lubrication
Make sure there is enough oil and lubrication in the school bus. Check in the moving pedals, steering columns, rotating joints and shafts, and wheel bearings.
The Tires
Measure the tread levels for every tire, then compare to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the tread is too low, the tires will need to be replaced
Be sure to inspect the tires for signs of damage. Go on a quick test drive and make sure the tires are not causing odd vibrations or sounds, which can be a sign of an issue.
The Safety Kit
Every school bus should be equipped with a safety kit. Check that the safety kit is fully stocked and does not have any expired items.
Each school bus safety kit should include:
- A fire extinguisher
- A first aid kit
- Spare school bus parts
- Flares, emergency triangles, and other emergency signaling items
Want more summer school bus maintenance tips? Ready to shop school buses for sale? The experts at Creative Bus Sales are here to help. We are the nation’s largest bus dealer and are here for you. Reach out today!
