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Bus Service And Maintenance Tips

Jan. 22 2021 Maintenance By RWC Group

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Time takes its toll on all vehicles, wearing the various parts and systems down with repeated use, until even the highest quality buses eventually need routine service and maintenance. While there are tasks best left to a professional service department, there are plenty of do-it-yourself tasks that bus owners can tackle. We've gathered up the following bus service and maintenance tips. If you have any questions or need to schedule a service department visit, reach out to the friendly staff at RWC Group. We have dealerships in Arizona, Alaska, California, and Washington.

The Importance Of Bus Service And Maintenance

It's easy to forget about your bus's inner workings until something breaks and you need to schedule a repair. But it's essential to stay up-to-date on the vehicle's various maintenance tasks.

Proactive bus maintenance:

  • Helps prevent startup issues
  • Helps reduce the chances of an accident
  • Helps prevent flat tires
  • Keeps the fuel efficiency optimized, saving you money on fuel
  • Prevents sped-up wear that would shorten the bus's lifespan
  • Prevents unnecessary (and expensive) parts replacement

Check Your Owner's Manual

Before you start servicing your bus, glance over the owner's manual. There may be specific tasks your model requires or does not require. There should also be a detailed schedule letting you know what service tasks need to happen when.

Be Prepared For Sudden Issues

Always keep a well-stocked toolkit on your bus. If an unexpected problem arises, such as a flat tire, you will be prepared to address it.

Daily Bus Service And Maintenance Tasks

There are key steps you will want to take each day before you hit the road.

  • Check coolant levels
  • Check engine oil levels
  • Check transmission levels
  • Check hydraulic fluid levels
  • Look for signs of fluid leaks, especially focusing on the area underneath the bus and in the lines, piping, and hoses
  • Test the lights to ensure no bulbs have burnt out
  • Look for cracks, tears, and burns in drive belts
  • Ensure the drive belts tension is adjusted correctly
  • Check the tires' air pressure and tread level against the manufacturer's recommendations
  • Make sure the tires are free of damage, such as cracks in the sidewall

Regular Bus Service And Maintenance Tasks

Know When The Next Bus Servicing Is Needed

Some service steps are needed at certain mile markers, rather than each day. Make sure you keep track of the next mile marker, which will depend on your given bus model. For example, the first one tends to be either at 3,000 miles or 6,000 miles. It's crucial to accomplish the service task within 10% of the prescribed mileage, so keep careful records and stay on top of this to prevent issues.

Know What Specific Service Tasks To Tackle

The exact service task will depend on the specific model and mile marker. But we recommend always tackling two key tasks.

First, inspect the bus structure. Even small dents can be a sign of more significant internal damage. Walk around your bus and make sure the structure is in good condition.

Second, inspect the cooling systems. These need to be well-maintained in order to keep the engine running well. A common warning sign of damaged cooling belts is odd noises coming from your bus, which likely means the cooling belts need to be replaced.

Know When To Visit A Professional

Some service projects are easy to do yourself. Others require the expertise of a service department. If you aren't sure about your ability to effectively and efficiently handle a task, outsource it to a trusted service department. Remember that fumbling around with your bus's inner workings can end up causing more damage, resulting in a higher service bill.

Instead, seek out a trusted service department, such as the experts at RWC Group. All our service employees are ASE certified technicians and factory-trained. They use state-of-the-art diagnostics and have over $16 million in parts inventory at their disposal. We can get your bus serviced in a quick and affordable way!

We hope you found this guide to bus service and maintenance helpful. For more advice or to get a service department visit scheduled, chat with the experts at RWC Group. We can get your vehicle back on the road in no time. We also offer a range of buses for sale if you are looking to upgrade. Whatever you need, you can find with us!