School Bus Driver Training

Unit E Preventive Maintenance

Objectives

 At the end of this session school bus operators will be able to:  Identify and describe basic procedures involved in normal daily pre-trip, on-the-road, and post-trip inspections   Detect impending vehicle defects and know how to report them in a meaningful manner Recognize common driving errors or abuses that cause excessive component wear  Employ proper driving habits to prolong the life of the bus

Importance of Preventive Maintenance  Minimizes bus failures and costs  Maximizes SAFETY, comfort, and level of service

School Bus Driver’s Role?

 Pre-trip Inspection  Operational Inspection  Detect problems, don’t fix them  Practice good driving habits  Post-trip Inspection  Communication  Problems cannot be repaired if they are not reported

Pre-trip Inspection

 Purpose: Identify problems that could cause a crash or breakdown  Develop a routine 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Vehicle overview Engine compartment inspection Inside bus inspection Outside bus inspection (walk around) Brake test

What Do You Need?

 Checklist  Rags/paper towels  Cleaners  Work gloves  At least 15 minutes

Remember…

 Federal regulations require that before driving your bus that you:  Be satisfied that it is in safe operating condition;  Review the last driver vehicle inspection report; and  Sign the report, only if defects or deficiencies were noted by the driver who prepared the report, to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed.

Basic Pre-trip Inspection

     Vehicle Overview Engine Compartment Inspection Inside Bus Inspection Outside Bus Inspection (Walk around) Check Brake System

1. 1. Vehicle Overview Refer to Figure E-1 in Publication 117

1. 1. Vehicle Overview

 Check for leaks  Check for previous problems  Check for obstructions

2. Engine Compartment Inspection

 Engine Compartment Inspection Recommended start: engine cool, fluids stable  Ensure the parking brake is on and/or wheels chocked.

 Oil level  Coolant level and hoses  Power steering level and hoses  Windshield washer fluid level  Battery fluid level, connections and tie downs  Automatic transmission fluid level  Wiring insulation

Under the Hood

  Belts: tightness and excessive wear   Alternator Water pump  Air compressor Leaks    Fuel Coolant Oil       Power steering fluid Hydraulic fluid Brake fluid Windshield washer Battery fluid Automatic transmission fluid

Check Oil

     Check daily before you start your trip Most vehicles will have the oil cap clearly marked The oil on the stick will indicate if the oil level is low Fill with oil to the designated full line if it is low Never leave the garage if your oil level is low

Remove Oil Dipstick and Check Fluid Level

Wipe fluid off, re-insert dipstick and look again to determine oil level

Check Oil Level Daily

Locations the Oil Filler Cap and Dip Stick Locations Vary

Check Belts

Check Washer Fluid Level

Check Other Fluid Levels as Appropriate

Check Battery

3.3.

Inspect Inside of Bus

 Driver Compartment  Passenger Entry  Passenger Compartment

Start Engine for Inside Bus Inspection  Parking brake on!

 Put engine in neutral  Turn off heaters  Start engine  Use your ears for unusual engine noise  For diesels, make sure injector pump is engaged

Driver Compartment

 Check all gauges  Oil pressure  Ammeter/voltmeter  Coolant temperature  No warning lights should be on  Vacuum gauge (if applicable)  Fuel gauge  Air gauge

Check that All Gauges Function Correctly

Driver Compartment

 Check all controls  Steering wheel  Clutch  Accelerator  Brakes (and brake pressure)  Horn  All lights and signals  Wipers operate properly  Washer fluid operates properly

Check Controls

Driver Compartment

 Check all lights  Headlights  Dimmer switch  Turn signals  Four-way flashers  Clearance, identification, marker lights  Eight-ways  Strobe (if applicable)

Check Lights

Check and Adjust Mirrors

 Clean  Adjusted  Maximize viewing area

Adjust Left and Right Flat Mirrors

Adjust Convex Mirrors

Look at Both!

Why?

Adjust Left and Right Cross View Mirrors

Left Cross View Mirror

Right Cross View Mirror

Adjust Inside Rearview Mirror

Passenger Entry

 Service doors  Stairwell  Handrail

Passenger Compartment

 Interior walk through  Emergency door  Other emergency exits  Bus emergency equipment

Interior Walk Through

Rear Emergency Door and Other Emergency Exits

On-Board School Bus Safety Equipment          Spare electrical fuses (if applicable) Portable emergency warning devices First aid kit Body fluid clean up kit Properly charged and rated fire extinguisher Pry bar Emergency phone numbers Crash reporting packet Seat belt cutter (optional)

On-Board School Bus Safety Equipment  Ensure that if you use any safety equipment you replace it or notify a supervisor to have it replaced  Be sure that all equipment is stored safely and securely

Check Emergency Equipment

Body fluid clean up kit First aid kit Portable Emergency Warning Devices Fully charged fire extinguisher

Properly Secure Equipment

Remaining Items Inside the Vehicle  Check that seat belts operate properly  Check defrost and heater fans  Check that windows are clean  General cleanliness  When complete, turn on all your lights!

Outside Bus Inspection (Walk around)  Tires Wheels and Rims  Walk around  Check all lights  Headlights  Eight-ways  Side marker lights  Brake and backup lights  Strobe (if applicable)  Check under bus

Tires, Wheels, and Rims

Always Check the Tread Depth Front tires: 4/32 inch Rear tires: 2/32 inch Edge of coin to top of head 4/32”

Check Tires

Right Front and Side

 Mirror  Front wheel  Front suspension  Crossing arm control  Brake  Front Axle  Steering system  Windshield  Lights and reflectors

Red Flashing Lights Amber Flashing Lights Mirrors Turn Signal Lights Crossing Control Arm Headlights Mirrors Turn Signal Lights

Right Front and Side Clearance Lights Side Windows Mirrors Fuel Cap Rear Emergency Door Tires, Wheels, Lug Nuts Service Door

Left Front and Side

 Same as right front  Left side stop arm and wing guard  Fender and crossover mirrors  Fuel tank(s)  Battery check  Other visible parts

Left Front and Side Windshield and Wipers Clearance Lights Mirrors Engine Compartment Side Stop Arm Battery Side Windows Tires, Wheels, Lug Nuts

Check that Fuel Cap is On and Secure

Left and Right Rear

 Lights and reflectors  License plate  Splash guards  Rear emergency door  Suspension and brakes  Exhaust

Red Marker Lights Red Flashing Lights Amber Flashing Lights Red Marker Lights Red Marker Lights Brake Lights Turn Signals (Hazard Warning Lights) Tail Lights Tailpipe Back-up Lights Brake Lights Turn Signals (Hazard Warning Lights) Tail Lights

Check Rear Emergency Door

5. Check Brake System

 Parking brake  Service brakes  Hydraulic brake test  Air brakes* * Refer to Sections 5 and 10 of the CDL Manual

Automatic Brake Adjusters

 Should not have to be manually adjusted  Manual adjustment masks a mechanical problem, it does not fix it!

 Report ASAs that are out of adjustment to your mechanic

Finish your Pre-trip

 Turn off lights  Secure loose items  Fill out paperwork

What if I find something wrong during the pre-trip inspection?

REPORT AND DOCUMENT!

Example

 Symptoms  Dripping trail or puddle under engine  Liquid is thick, wet, yellow-green  Increasing engine temperature  Problem?

 What do you do?

Example

 Symptoms  Dripping trail or puddle under engine  Liquid is thick, dark brown to black  Noisy engine  Increasing engine temperature   Problem?

What do you do?

Operational Preventive Maintenance  Also known as on-the road or in-service preventive maintenance  Detecting unusual vehicle behavior  Good driving habits for maintenance  Use your senses!!

Detecting Abnormal Vehicle Behavior         Continuously check gauges Check parking brake Check service brakes   Air brakes Hydraulic brakes Check transmission Check steering Check suspension Check engine Check tires

Detecting Abnormal Vehicle Behavior      Be familiar with your bus Use ALL senses: Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch Normal gauge readings Feel of ride Sounds  Pre-existing problems?

Detecting Abnormal Vehicle Behavior      Anything loose, weakening, broken, leaking?

Anything look/seem different than usual?

Problems that are increasing noticeably with time?

Trace to the source Check for related problems

Good Driving Habits for Maintenance  Basic Bus Operations  Engage starter  Tire checks  Idling  Proper Use of Clutch  Not a brake!

 Don’t ride  Adjust

Good Driving Habits for Maintenance  Proper Use of Brakes  Use engine to slow bus  Avoid quick stops  Know when to disengage clutch  Protect Rear Axle  Don’t spin tires  Careful on different surfaces

Good Driving Habits for Maintenance  Manual transmission  Start in low gear  Downshift up and down hills  Stop completely before shifting into first or reverse  Automatic transmission  Use gearshift appropriately  Don’t use accelerator to hold a vehicle

Post-trip Inspection

  Post-trip inspections are required by federal regulations (49 CFR Section 396.11) At a minimum, your report must include:            Service brakes Parking (hand) brake Steering mechanism Lighting devices and reflectors Tires Horn Windshield wipers Rear vision mirrors Coupling devices Wheels and rims Emergency equipment

Post-trip Inspection

 Check fuel level, fill  After parking, let engine idle  Check interior  Damaged seats  Leftover students or backpacks  Check exterior  Report

Passenger Compartment Check  Some school bus seat backs are high and can hide students and items.

Post-trip Interior Check Reminder

Reporting Problems: Communication is Critical      Report problems immediately Report problems accurately Don’t operate an unsafe vehicle Verbal communication can help resolve problems but it isn’t a substitute for written documentation Remember:   Location Timing   Sounds Other descriptive characteristics

Communication Accuracy

 Location:  Left/right  Front/rear  Inside/outside  Upper/lower/underneath

Communication Accuracy

 Timing:  Sometimes, always, often, occasionally  Certain times  More, less  Slowly, suddenly, fast  Sounds:  Loud, soft, faint, noisy  Bell, buzzer, bang, snap, sputter, clank, rumble, groan, squeak, whine, rip, scrape, road, race, clunk, ping, hiss

Communication Accuracy

 Describing problem:  Grabbing, sticking  Broken, loose, worn, crushed, pinched, torn, not aligned, jammed, stuck, fayed, leaking, dripping, spilling, weak, rusted, cracked, missing  Hot, warm, cold, cool, frosty  Burning, sweet, smoky, cloudy, bitter,  Color, clear  Oily, wet, sticky, slick, thick

Responsibility

 Anything unusual is a potential problem  Danger to you  Danger to your students  Danger to other motorists  Anyone who knows about a problem is responsible for addressing it: 

Write it down



Pass it on



Fix it

Responsibility

 Take action on maintenance decisions  Never ignore a defect  Fix it temporarily/permanently  Monitor problem  Pull vehicle from service  Substitute vehicle  If on the road, may need to shut down