Bluebird Vision 2015 User manual

BBCV
BLUE BIRD VISION
10038314
2015
COUNT ON BLUE BIRD COUNT ON BLUE BIRD
10038314
CUMMINS POWERED DIESEL
DRIVERS HANDBOOK
2015 BBCV CUMMINS POWERED DIESEL DRIVERS HANDBOOK

10038314
Edition A

VISION D R I V ERSHANDB O O K
2
© 2014 Blue Bird Body Co. All rights reserved.
All Blue Bird products sold for use in the United States of America and its insular areas comply with all applicable Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) as of the date of manufacture indicated on the compliance label and applicable Federal ADA
requirements.
Many of the components of Blue Bird buses are obtained from outside suppliers. Where maintenance and/or service information
conflicts with the component manufacturer’s documentation, the manufacturer’s documentation prevails.
In the event of any conflict between the requirements of this publication and any applicable legal requirement, the legal require-
ment prevails. Technical requirements that exceed the legal requirements are not considered to conflict.
Blue Bird Body Co. continually endeavors to improve its products and reserves the right to change specifications without notice
and without incurring obligation. Text, illustrations, photographs, and specifications in this manual are based on information
available at the time of printing. Some equipment and features shown may be optional.

CONTENTS
3
INTRODUCTION / 7
Blue Bird Strength; Blue Bird Innovation / 7
Backed By Blue Bird / 8
Blue Bird Authorized Dealers / 8
Blue Bird School Bus Support / 8
Blue Bird School Bus Training / 8
Blue Bird Parts Sales / 8
Blue Bird Technical Publications / 8
Blue Bird Bus Warranty / 8
Reporting Safety Defects / 9
Driver Certification / 9
About 2013 Emissions Standards / 10
Regarding Modifications / 12
About This Driver’s Handbook / 14
Safety Precautions / 14
Scope and Content / 14
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS / 15
General Specifications, Chassis / 15
Alternator / 15
Axle & Suspension, Front / 15
Axle & Suspension, Rear / 15
Batteries / 15
Braking System / 15
Bumpers / 16
Controls / 16
Cooling System / 16
Drive Line / 16
Engines / 16
Intake / 17
Exhaust / 17
Frame, Chassis / 17
Fuel System / 17
Horn / 17
Instruments / Gauges / 18
Steering / 18
Tires / 18
Tow Hooks or Tow Eyes / 18
Transmission / 18
Wheels / 18
Wiring / 18
General Specifications, Body / 19
Panels & Compartments / 19
Emergency Doors / 19
Entrance Doors / 19
Electrical / 19
Fans (optional) / 19
Floor / 20
Heater/Defroster / 20
Insulation / 20
Lettering / 20
Lights / 20
Mirrors / 21
Paint / 21
Panels, Exterior / 22
Panels, Interior / 22
Reflectors / 22
Rubrails / 23
Safety Equipment / 23
Seats / 23
Stepwell / 23
Stop Arm, Crossing Arm / 23
Sun Visor / 23
Switch Panels / 24
Ventilation / 24
Windows / 24
Windshield / 24
Windshield Wipers / 24
Wiring / 24
Dimensions / 25

VISION D R I V ERSHANDB O O K
4
DRIVER ORIENTATION / 27
Driver Orientation / 27
Emergency Equipment Locations / 27
First Aid Kit / 27
Body Fluids Clean-up Kit / 27
Fire Extinguisher / 27
Triangular Roadside Hazard Reflector Kit / 27
Battery Disconnect Switch (Optional) / 28
Flare Kit / 28
Crowbar / 28
Driver’s Area / 29
Left Switch Console / 30
Radio Switch Panel / 31
Upper Left Switch Panel / 32
Heater Control Panel / 33
Lower Left Switch Panel / 34
Right Console Switch Panel / 36
Driver’s Instrument Panel / 37
Instrument Cluster / 38
Message Display Center / 39
Warning Bank Indicators / 40
Set the Clock / 42
Dimmer Adjustment / 42
Contrast Adjustment / 42
Backlight Color Adjustment / 43
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Optional) / 43
Heat and Air Controls / 44
Heater Valve Lever / 45
Heater Filters / 45
Heater Cores / 45
Steering Column / 46
Steering Wheel Position / 46
Left Switch Stalk / 46
Right Switch Stalk / 46
Cruise Control (Optional) / 46
Parking Brake, Units With Air Brakes / 48
Parking Brake, Units With Hydraulic Brakes / 48
Hand Operated Parking Brake (Optional) / 49
Driver’s Seat, Standard / 50
Driver’s Seat, Air / 52
Driver’s Lap & Shoulder Belt / 53
Interior Compartments / 54
Child Restraint Seats / 56
Young Children And Infants / 56
How Child Restraints Work / 56
Universal Child Restraint Anchorage / 57
Securing A Universal Child Restraint / 57
Passenger Seats / 58
Passenger Area Heaters / 59
Passenger Windows / 60
Emergency Exits / 61
Rear Emergency Door / 61
Vandal Lock / 61
Emergency Pushout Windows / 62
Emergency Roof Hatch / 63
Entrance Door Emergency Release / 64
Exterior Compartments / 65
Engine Compartment / 65
Battery Compartment / 66
Fuel Filler / 66
DEF Filler / 66
Product Identification Information / 67
Federal Vehicle Compliance Label / 67
Body Serial Number and Service Number Plate / 67
Axle Record and Chassis Service Number Label / 67
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) / 67
Data Plates Reference / 68
VECI Label / 69
PRE-TRIP INSPECTION / 71
Before Placing the Bus in Service / 71
Daily Pretrip Inspection / 71
Exterior Walkaround / 71
Entrance Area Inspection / 74
Engine Compartment Inspection / 75
Instrumentation & Driver’s Alert Checks / 77
Exterior Lights Check / 78
Buses with Automated Pre-Trip Exterior Light Check
Feature / 78
Passenger Area Inspection / 79
Emergency Equipment Check / 80
Prepare For Driveaway / 80
Mirrors and Mirrors Adjustment / 81

table o f contents
ROUTINE OPERATION / 83
Routine Operation / 83
Maneuvering Safety / 83
Prior to Starting the Engine / 84
Starting the Engine / 84
High Idle Function / 85
Engine Cooling System / 86
Coolant Types / 86
Coolant Testing and Replacement / 87
Service Brakes / 89
About Hydraulic Brakes / 89
Parking Brake (With Hydraulic Brakes) / 90
Parking Brake (Hand Operated) / 90
About Air Brakes / 91
Parking Brakes (With Air Brakes) / 91
Parking / 92
Allison Automatic Transmissions / 93
Allison Model 2000 Series Transmission / 93
Allison 2000 Series Transmission Gear Selection / 94
Allison Model 3000 Series Transmission / 95
Allison Model 3000 Series Transmission Gear Selection / 96
Range Inhibit Feature / 97
Allison Automatic Transmission Driving Tips / 97
Transmission Indicator Lights / 99
Transmission Service Prognostics / 100
2000 Series Product / 100
3000 Series Product / 101
Gen 4 Electronic Controls (early 2014) / 101
Gen 5 Electronic Controls / 101
Wheel Differential Lock / 102
Engaged Position (Locked) / 102
Disengaged Position (Unlocked) / 102
Important To Remember / 103
Exhaust System / 104
DPF Regeneration In Blue Bird Buses / 105
Aftertreatment Terms / 105
Levels of Notification / 106
High Exhaust Temperature Notification / 106
Level 1 Regeneration Notification: DPF Indicator Appears / 107
Level 2 Notification: DPF Indicator Blinks / 107
Level 3 Notification: Check Engine Indicator Appears / 108
Level 4 Notification: Stop Engine Indicator Appears / 108
Stationary Regeneration Precautions / 109
SCR System in Blue Bird Buses / 110
DEF Levels of Priority Notification / 112
ENROUTE EMERGENCIES / 117
Enroute Emergencies / 117
Using Triangular Hazard Reflectors / 117
Using Booster Cables / 118
Starting Problems / 119
Jacking and Towing / 120
Jack Points / 120
Towing / 120
Caging the Park Brakes / 121
Air Tank Schrader Valve / 122
CARE & MAINTENANCE / 123
Seat Belt Inspection And Maintenance / 123
Seat Inspection And Maintenance / 123
Driver’s Seat Lubrication / 123
Seat Care and Cleaning / 123
Seat Cushion Removal and Installation—DOT Seats & Seat
Belt Seats / 124
Track Mounted Passenger Seats / 124
Doran Warning Light Monitor / 126
Troubleshooting / 126
Doran Calibration (Universal Monitor Only) / 128
Circuit Breakers & Fuses / 129
Accessories and Added Components / 129
Hazard Rating (NFPA/HMIS) / 130
Rating Scale / 130
Keeping Your Bus Looking New / 130
Wax / 131
Bus Downtime Treatment / 131
Powertrain and Chassis Cleaning / 133
Windshield Washer & Wiper / 134
Wiper Assembly Replacement / 134
Scheduled Maintenance / 134
Fluids & Filters / 135
Maintenance Task Schedule / 136
Emission Control Device EPA Compliancy / 151
Oil Drain Intervals (ISL) / 154
Oil Drain Intervals (ISB) / 155
Aftertreatment Diesel Exhaust Fluid Dosing Unit Filter / 156
Aftertreatment Diesel Particulate Filter / 159
Aftertreatment Exhaust Piping / 161
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level / 161
Operating Characteristics of Engines with Aftertreatment / 162
Regeneration / 163
Aftertreatment Warm-Up / 165

VISION D R I V ERSHANDB O O K
6

INTRODUCTION
7
We at Blue Bird Body Co. wish to thank you for your investment of trust
in Blue Bird quality, and congratulate you on being a Driver of one of the
most innovative vehicles in pupil transportation; the Blue Bird Vision.
Blue Bird Strength; Blue Bird Innovation
The BLUE BIRD VISION is the first C-Type (“conventional”) school bus built upon a chassis
designed specifically for pupil transportation, rather than mounted upon a multi-
purpose truck chassis. The VISION’S chassis is purpose-built at Blue Bird’s Fort Valley,
Georgia plant, as are Blue Bird’s ALL AMERICAN transit-type buses.
The BLUE BIRD VISION, with its ALL AMERICAN FE and RE siblings, comprise a complete
line of built-from-the-ground-up buses, providing an ideal fit for any school route
need.
Unlike most“conventional”type school buses, the VISION is anything but ordinary.
The VISION is the result of Blue Bird’s steadily innovative engineering and over 85
years of school bus experience, applied to the C-Type category.
For 2015, there are a myriad of technical refinements inside the bus and/or under
the hood with which the Driver may or may never interact with directly; but which
nonetheless contribute to an overall improved operating and ownership experience.
Built to purpose. Built to last. Built to bring to your operation a new level of value,
efficiency, and rugged reliability.
h Y
…n ngrlis!

VISION D R I V ERSHANDB O O K
8
Backed By Blue Bird
Blue Bird provides all the behind-the-scenes support you depend upon for success in
your school transportation operation:
Blue Bird Authorized Dealers
Blue Bird administers its full range of Customer Services through a nationwide net-
work of local or regional Blue Bird Authorized Dealers. The Dealer through whom
your bus was purchased should always be your first point of contact for information
and assistance.
Blue Bird School Bus Support
Your Blue Bird Dealer is equipped and staffed to handle your service-related issues,
and also has immediate and direct access to Blue Bird’s own factory-based Customer
Support. All Blue Bird Support Representatives are true technical experts with long
histories at Blue Bird and are eager to support your service related needs.
Blue Bird School Bus Training
The Training staff of Blue Bird Technical Communications conducts an ongoing pro-
gram of Factory and Dealer workshops, to ensure that Dealer technicians are always
up-to-date on the latest service information and techniques. Some of these training
classes are open to customer personnel.
Blue Bird Parts Sales
Blue Bird’s modern Service Parts facility ships parts directly to Blue Bird Authorized
Dealers and Blue Bird Bus Spec and Bus Care centers nationwide. Blue Bird Parts Sales
consists of modern warehousing facilities, efficient ordering and inventory control
systems, and expert technical staff who know your bus inside and out. Service Parts
also publishes its own parts catalogs, available for customer purchase.
Blue Bird Technical Publications
Blue Bird Driver’s Handbooks and Service Manuals are produced and continually up-
dated by a full-time in-house staff with full access to manufacturing assembly lines
and Blue Bird Engineering. Additional manuals are available for purchase through
your Blue Bird Authorized Dealer.
Blue Bird Bus Warranty
For your convenience and efficiency, warranty claims are handled at the local Dealer
level, as are all other Customer Services. Be assured that your Blue Bird is backed by
one of the strongest factory warranties in the industry. Refer to the standard limited
warranty statement supplied with your bus for the terms and limitations of the lim-
ited warranty. Contact your Blue Bird Dealer if you have questions about the limited
warranty or for assistance in obtaining repairs covered by the limited warranty.