Daily Pre-Trip Inspection - by R.J. Long

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Daily Pre-Trip Inspection
by R.J. Long
 
Upon approaching bus, check for anything unusual hanging from under the coach, and for any fresh fluid leaks. Check engine oil, belts and hoses, water level.
 
Enter coach

• Start engine
• Check oil pressure gauge and warning light
• Check voltage gauge for charging condition
• Check air pressure gauge for air build up
• Check & adjust mirrors
• Check seat adjustment & seat belt
• Turn on:
• Headlights -- high beam
• Emergency flashers
• Fast idle switch (if equipped)
• Governor cut-out (130 psi. max.)

 
Exterior Check
 
Front Using a Top-to-Bottom, Left-to-Right (TTB-LTR) pattern, check:

• Front steps condition
• Top clearance lights
• Windshield for cracks & cleanliness
• Mirror securement
• Headlights -- high beam
• License plate
• Emergency flashers
• Wiper blades for condition

 
Left Side (TTB-LTR)

• Front Clearance light and reflector
• Left front mirror and mount
• Front wheel, tire tread depth (4/32" minimum), oil seal and lug nuts.
• Physically check lug nuts for tightness.
• Front side turn signal
• General appearance -- windows, dents, scratches, lettering
• Middle clearance light and reflector (if equipped)
• Rear dual tire tread depth (2/32" minimum) and inflation, wheels, oil seals and lug nuts.
• Physically check lug nuts for tightness
• Rear side turn signal (if equipped)
• Rear side clearance light and reflector

 
Rear (TTB-LTR)

• Top clearance lights
• Brake lights
• Emergency Flashers
• License plate & light
• Fluid leaks with engine running
• Exhaust pipe

 
Right Side (TTB-LTR)

• Rear side clearance light and reflector
• Rear dual tire tread depth (2/32" minimum) and inflation, wheels, oil seals and lug nuts.
• Physically check lug nuts for tightness
• Rear side turn signal (if equipped)
• General appearance -- windows, dents, scratches, lettering
• Middle clearance light and reflector (if equipped)
• Check fuel tank cap
• Front tire tread depth (4/32" minimum), wheel, oil seal and lug nuts.
• Physically check lug nuts for tightness.
• Front side turn signal
• Front clearance light and reflector

 
Re-enter Bus
 
Interior Check In Driver's Seat:
 

• Turn headlights onto low beam
• Turn off emergency flashers
• Check parking brake for "On" position
• Turn off fast idle (if equipped)
• Foot on service brake, place transmission in reverse
• Release service brake slowly.
• *If bus moves, have brakes inspected/serviced immediately*.
• Transmission back in neutral
• Fast idle on (if equipped)
• Check all gauges
• Check wiper operation
• Check horn(s)

 
Exit coach
 
Check low beam headlamps
 
Return to driver's seat
 
Air Brake check:

• Governor cut-in (85 psi minimum)
• Governor cut-out (130 psi max.)

 
Static air loss:

• Shut off engine, observe air gauge (2 psi/minute max.)
• Release parking brake*, observe air gauge (2 psi/minute maximum loss)
• Service brake on, observe air gauge (3 psi/minute maximum loss after initial application drop)

 
Low Air Warning:

• Master (ignition) switch ON
• Engine OFF
• Pump air down, observe air gauge for point at which low air warning light & buzzer comes on (55 - 75 psi.)

 
Emergency Brake Operation:

• Master switch ON, engine OFF, Parking brake OFF.
• Pump air down, observe air gauge for point parking brake "pops" on (30 - 45 psi.) (DD3 and spring brakes only)
• Start engine, place transmission in Drive, try to move bus. If bus moves, have brakes inspected or serviced immediately.
• Push down and hold parking brake knob. Allow bus to roll, release knob. Bus should come to an immediate stop.

 
Final Checks
 

• Transmission in Neutral
• Fast Idle ON (if equipped)
• Check all switches for proper operation
• Check Emergency equipment:
• Fire extinguisher (pressure, seal, date, rating)
• Reflectors (3)
• Recheck mirror adjustment
• Recheck seat adjustment and seat belt
• Two service brake stops before leaving yard, or pulling into traffic.

 
Note:
Be sure to chock wheels before releasing parking brake and leaving driver's seat.
 
The above pre-trip inspection procedure follows established Federal DOT, California State DMV and DOE guidelines as required by law.
 
Remember to "CLAP"
An easy way to remember the air brake check is to spell out "CLAP".
 

• C = Compressor: At what psi does the compressor governor cut-in and cut-out?
• L = Lines: Are there any leaks in the air lines? (This is the static air loss portion)
• A = Alarms: Do the low air pressure warning systems work?
• P = Parking: Does the emergency-parking brake work correctly?

 
Remember to "CLAP" every day before moving your coach!
 
Compiled, edited & © R.J. Long, March, 2001. Internet © BNO. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced with permission of the author.