Caring for the Diesel Engines in Your School Bus Fleet

With budgets that seem to be contracting further with each fiscal year, school districts are looking to save money in every way they can. One method of reducing expenditures is to adhere to a strict regimen of care and maintenance for the diesel engine on the school buses in your fleet. Considering that poor maintenance and shoddy operation can result in diesel engine replacements that can rival the expense of buying a used school bus, taking care of these engines makes sense.

• Change the fuel filters – Fuel filters are often taken for granted and overlooked in the maintenance schedule for diesel engines but letting these filters get clogged can lead to expensive consequences such as the damage of injectors and injection pumps
• Change out air filters – Keeping air filters around until they get clogged hurts mileage and makes the turbo work harder to deliver air to the engine.
• Changing fluids – Fluids that should be changed regularly include engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. 
• Warm the engine before heading out on the route – Engine parts warm up at their own pace, so have drivers warm the engines to allow oil to thin and lubricate the turbo and rest of the machinery properly.
• Pay attention to smoke coming from the engine – Black, white and blue smoke signify different issues with a diesel engine. 

While a little smoke is normal in the cold, if smoke continues to be emitted when the engine is warm the bus should be taken in for service.

Proper maintenance of your school bus fleet can keep it running without incurring unnecessary repairs. Additionally, your school buses with run cleaner and more efficiently.

3 Tips on Finding Financing for Cleaner School Buses

As resources at local government levels become scarcer, many school districts wishing to upgrade their fleets of school buses are being forced to stand by while they attempt to find funding. Truth be told, this aspect of trying to buy buses that offer the healthiest environment possible while students are being transported from home to school and back has become more difficult as well as lenders have become more cautious with their funding.

While the current environment may be extremely challenging, there are still financing sources that can make upgrading a fleet of school buses a reality. Here are 3 tips on finding the financing your district needs to buy cleaner school buses:

• Assemble a detailed account of the age of the buses in the district fleet as well as their overall condition – This process will help to determine the available sources for funding as well as the most advantageous programs for rebates and other forms of assistance.
• Assess whether the district has the ability to match funds – It’s not uncommon for financing to require the matching of funds from the school district. Having a handle on whether matching funds are available can speed the process of getting funded.  
• Look for partners – There may be non-financial assistance in the form of non-profit groups that can connect the school district to local business that offer sponsorships, such as corporate sponsorships or charitable events.

While funding may be challenging at this point in time, it can still be found. Starting the process by being prepared with data related to your existing fleet as well as the funding available from local sources and your district will be well on the way toward the purchases of a new fleet of buses.