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r o u t i n e o p e r a t i o n
Service Brakes
Your Blue Bird VISION may be fitted with hydraulic disc brakes or air-powered drum
type brakes, depending on the options chosen at the time of manufacture.
Although they perform the same task, hydraulic brakes and air brakes differ in
“feel.” Air brakes also may require additional wait time before driving the bus during
warmup, to allow air system pressure to build to normal operation levels. The type of
brakes installed also determines the type of parking brake installed.
About Hydraulic Brakes
[WARNING] Hydraulic brakes are power assisted. The brakes will be notice-
ably less effective when the engine is not running. The bus should not be
moved without the engine running.
The hydraulic brakes are arranged in a dual system, whereby the front brakes and the
rear brakes operate independently of each other. The braking function is significantly
diminished by the loss of either the front or the rear brakes; however, it will be pos-
sible to stop the bus.
[WARNING] Do not continue to operate the bus with the loss of either the
front or the rear portion of the system. Stop the vehicle and obtain profes-
sional assistance immediately.
The hydraulic brake system includes an auxiliary electric pump which serves as a
backup for the hydraulic pressure supplied by the power steering pump. With the
engine not running and the key switch in the “ON” position, the electric pump will
come on. This will provide some assistance in the brake system, but it will be much
less effective than the power assist provided by the power steering pump.
[WARNING] Check the operation of this auxiliary pump before each trip. If it
fails to come on when the key is turned to the “ON” position, before the engine
starts do not operate the bus. Seek immediate professional assistance.
[WARNING] Inspect the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir on a regular ba-
sis. Too little fluid in the system will cause a malfunction. Be careful to put only
brake fluid in the brake system and power steering fluid in the steering system.
If the brake pedal depresses more than normal, or feels “mushy”, check the reservoir
level. If you need to add fluid (DOT–3) frequently, have the system checked out by a
professional mechanic.
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