School Bus Summer Maintenance Tips

Summer is a convenient time to conduct some thorough school bus maintenance. After all, only a handful of vehicles will be in service shuttling kids to and from summer school. Plus, there is plenty of time to get any repairs or parts replacements done before school starts again in the fall.

Keep reading for the essential school bus summer maintenance tasks. If you are in the market for a school bus, check out the selection at Empire Truck Sales. We proudly serve those throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Alabama.

The School Bus Exterior 

First of all, inspect the exterior of the school bus for any damage like dents or scratches. Ensure that its windows, grills, and mirrors are in good condition. If the bus is dirty, this is a great time for a thorough cleaning. 

Engine Maintenance 

To start off, do a visual inspection of the engine and look for broken seals, blocked vents, oil leakage, and other parts like valves, wires, filters, and tubes that appear odd. Afterward, take it for a test drive to check if there are any strange sounds or unusual performance levels. 

Lights 

Check that all lights (headlights and taillights) are working correctly as they are necessary for the safe operation of the school bus and help drivers spot obstacles in their path. Make sure they give out sufficient brightness and have strong connections between wiring. 

Horn

Test the horn by giving it a quick honk and check if it is functioning properly. 

Brakes 

Inspect the brakes, gears, pedals, and clutch to ensure they are in good condition. If you notice any strange noises or low-performance levels, contact an expert immediately for assistance. 

Oil and Lubrication 

Look for enough oil and lubrication on moving parts like wheel bearings, steering columns, rotating shafts, and joints. Refill if needed. 

Tires 

Check the tread level of each tire against the manufacturer’s guidelines; purchase new tires if needed. Additionally, inspect thoroughly for any damage like odd vibrations or sounds which indicate potential issues with them. 

Safety Kit 

Every school bus should be equipped with essential components of a safety kit like a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, spare parts, and emergency signaling items like flares and triangles. Inspect that all the items are present and none have expired. 

If you're looking to buy a school bus, check out the selection at Empire Truck Sales. We serve those throughout Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.