The document provides guidance on developing an effective preventive maintenance (PM) plan. It explains that PM involves scheduled maintenance activities aimed at preventing mechanical failures and ensuring safe vehicle operation. An effective PM plan should include adhering to maintenance schedules, conducting daily inspections, documenting inspections and repairs, and keeping comprehensive maintenance records for each vehicle. Sample PM schedules are provided based on mileage and time intervals. The document stresses the importance of documentation and record keeping to the success of the PM plan.

1. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

2. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Does your system have a preventive
maintenance plan ?

3. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
PM is a schedule of planned maintenance
activities aimed at the prevention of
mechanical breakdowns and failures.

4. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
The primary goal of preventive maintenance
is to prevent the failure of equipment
before it actually occurs, ensuring that the
vehicles are safe to operate and
maximizing the vehicle’s useful life.

5. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Useful Life Criteria
 6-S, Minivan, 5 years, 100,000 miles
 6-1MV, Modified minivan, 5 years, 100,000 miles
 7-1MS, Modified van, 5 years, 100,000 miles
 7-1MR, Modified van, 5 years, 100,000 miles
 12-M, Modified van, 5 years, 100,000 miles
 7-1B Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles
 8-2B Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles
 12-2B Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles
 16-2B Bus, 6 years, 150, 000 miles
 16-2BHD Bus, 6 years, 150, 000 miles
 12-B Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles
 24-B Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles
 24-BHD Bus, 6 years, 150,000 miles (See Attachment A)

6. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Items Needed for Disposition
 2 Appraisals
 Mileage
 Years
 Disposition form (See Attachment B)
 Page D-7, Red Administration Handbook
 All decals removed

7. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
PM plan is the foundation of an effective
transit system maintenance program and
is required for all LADOTD transit systems.

8. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
The plan should describe how your agency
handles the following PM activities.
 Making preventive maintenance arrangements
 Adhering to a preventative maintenance schedule
 Conducting daily vehicle inspections
 Completing corresponding inspection checklist & follow
up on deficiencies
 Keeping a comprehensive maintenance record on file for
each vehicle/Documentation (checklists, reports,
receipts, etc.)

9. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Making Preventive Maintenance Arrangements
 PM plan should describe how you maintain the fleet and
equipment
 Maintenance department or private garage
 Who is in charge of scheduling vehicles for PM work?
 How is information conveyed?
 Who is responsible that PM schedules are followed?
 How are PM Intervals determined?
 See Attachment C (Maintenance Communication)

10. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Adhering to a preventative maintenance schedule
 Equipment manufacturer recommendations/Basic roadmap
 Mileage intervals/Manufacturer guidelines
 Seasonal variations/Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
 Environmental conditions/Dusty roads, stop and go driving
 Vehicle Cleanliness/ Establish a regular program for washing &
cleaning, road salt or brine will accelerate rusting. Dust from roads
causes poor driving conditions, passengers are not comfortable in a
dirty vehicle.
 See Attachment D (Preventive Maintenance Table) and Attachment
E (Preventative Maintenance Checklist) Page P-2, Red
Administration Handbook

11. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Conducting Daily Vehicle Inspections
 Daily pre-trip inspection sheet (required on all vehicles)
 Critical to success of the PM plan/Minor problems-corrected
 Drivers trained how to conduct inspections
 Properly complete form/all defects accurately noted
 Form should have all areas that driver is to check
 Space provided to document any problems
 Information should be the base for the PM program and forwarded
to maintenance department or repair shop when defects found
 See Attachment F (Daily driver pre-trip inspection) Page P-3, Red
Administration Handbook

12. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Conducting Daily Vehicle Inspections/continued
 Mechanics should perform thorough inspections when in
the shop
 Mechanics certifications/Automotive service excellence
 Mechanic inspection sheet (See Attachment G and G1)
 PM inspections/Certain mileage intervals

13. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Warranties
 All warranty information in vehicle packets upon pickup/READ,
READ, READ
 3 years/36,000 miles
 Chassis/Ford, Chevy, Dodge/Local dealer
 Modifications National Bus Sales (800) 282-7981 (Goshen or Elkhart
Coach, Braun Corp)
 Bus Group (866) 726-5142 (ElDorado, Transtech or Aerotech)
 Transportation South (800) 367-9463 (Startrans or Starcraft)
 Must have authorization before work is done
 DOTD contact & technical support information
(See Attachment H)

14. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Documentation
 Maintenance records are required to be kept on file for each vehicle
 Records should include specific details when maintenance was performed,
whether preventive or unscheduled
 Pertinent information/mileage, dates, description of repair, cost, who
performed work
 Agencies are encouraged to develop spread sheets to help document oil
changes, tire rotations, inspections, etc. (See Attachments I thru L)
 Monthly maintenance reports are required on every active LADOTD public
transportation vehicle until its has reached its useful life. Report form is
required by the 15th day of the following month for the previous month.
 Monthly Maintenance/Expense Record (See Attachment O), Page R-14,
Red Administration Handbook
 (See Attachments M & N) for detailed instructions/Page R-9 & R-10, Red
Administration Handbook

15. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Sample Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Schedule
 Regularly Scheduled
wash vehicle interior and exterior
 Unscheduled, based on need, replace
Alternator
Starter motor
Windshield wiper motor
Windshield wiper blades
Exhaust components; muffler, hangers, etc.
Headlights, marker lights, etc.
Vehicle interior; fittings, seats, etc.
Wheelchair lift components
Wheelchair restraints

16. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Sample Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Schedule
 Every year
Flush radiator
Replace coolant
Service air conditioner
 Every two years
Replace all hoses
 Every four years
Replace battery

17. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Sample Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Schedule (Mileage Specific)
Specific mileage recommendation should come from the original
equipment manufacturer.
• Every 3,000 – 5000 miles
Change oil, oil filter, fuel filter (diesel)
Lubricate chassis
Rotate tires
 Every 10,000 miles
Inspect drive belts, adjust tension, change air filter (dusty area)
 Every 15,000 miles
Change air filter and PCV valve
 Every 20,000 miles
Change front and rear brake pads

18. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Sample Vehicle Preventive Maintenance Schedule (Mileage Specific)
 Every 25,000 miles
Engine tune-up
 Every 30,000 miles
Change fuel filter, spark plugs
Service transmission, replace filter and fluid
Pack wheel bearings
 Every 60,000 miles
Replace EGR value and clean EGR passage
Ignition cables, distributor cap, and rotor
Vacuum-operated emissions system components
 Every 80,000 miles
Replace oxygen sensor, if so equipped

19. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Wheelchair lift maintenance should be
performed at scheduled intervals
according to the number of cycles or
elapsed time, whichever comes first. Your
Specific schedule should be based on the
lift manufacturer’s specifications.

20. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Summary of PM Plan
 Documentation of how PM is arranged & who is
responsible
 What the PM schedules are for your vehicles & what PM
inspection items are included
 What is expected for the drivers’ daily vehicle
inspections and how vehicle defects are communicated
 How are all maintenance records compiled, stored, etc.
 All relevant forms and checklists should be included in
the plan

21. PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
QUESTIONS ?