Maintenance Guide for Recent Ford E-350 & E-450 Shuttle Buses


Congratulations on your purchase of a Ford E-350 or E-450 shuttle bus from Major Vehicle Exchange. We are dedicated to providing you with reliable vehicles and the information you need to keep them running smoothly. This guide offers essential maintenance advice specifically tailored to your shuttle bus.


* Website: getanybus.com
* Contact: Charlie at 516-333-7483

Daily and Weekly Inspections: Your Key to Safety and Longevity

Before hitting the road, prioritize safety and maintenance with these crucial checks:

 * Tires: Inspect for wear and tear, proper inflation, and any signs of damage.
 * Fluids: Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid levels.
 * Signal Systems: Ensure all lights (headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights) are all functioning correctly.
 * Emergency Systems: Verify that emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are readily accessible and in working order.

Important Notes:

* This guide applies to Ford E-350 and E-450 Super-Duty vehicles with dual rear wheels.

* Part numbers may vary depending on the year of manufacture. Always double-check for compatibility.

Regular Service Intervals

Adhering to a routine maintenance schedule is vital in preventing costly repairs and ensuring the safety of your passengers. Here’s a general guideline:

* Every 7,500 miles or 6 months:

   * Engine Oil and Filter Change (Synthetic highly recommended)

   * Tire Rotation

* Every 10,000 miles or 12 months:

   * Brake Inspection

* Every 15,000 miles or 12 months:

   * Cabin Air Filter Replacement if equipped

* Every 15,000-30,000 miles or 12-24 months:

   * Engine Air Filter Replacement

* Every 30,000 miles or 24 months:

   * Fuel Filter Replacement

* Every 30,000 miles or 3 years:

   * Transmission Fluid Change

* Every 30,000-60,000 miles or 2-3 years:

   * Differential Fluid Change

* Every 100,000 miles or 5 years:

   * Coolant Flush

   * Spark Plug Replacement

* Every 2 years:

   * Brake Fluid Replacement

* Every 12 months:

   * Suspension and Steering Check


Common Repairs

Familiarize yourself with these common issues to ensure timely repairs:

* Brake System:
   * Issues: Worn brake pads, warped rotors, frozen calipers, and leaking brake lines.
   * Repair: Replace brake pads, resurface or replace rotors, and flush brake fluid. Locate OEM supplier if possible for brake lines.

* Suspension and Steering:
   * Issues: Worn shock absorbers, ball joints, steering linkage problems.
   * Repair: Replace worn components.

* Batteries: Series 65 Minimum 850 CCA (Two per vehicle)

* Transmission:
   * Issues: Fluid leaks, hard shifting, overheating.
   * Repair: Fluid changes, solenoid replacements, potential rebuilds.

* Engine:
   * Issues: Misfiring, intake manifold leaks, oil leaks. Never operate a vehicle with a check engine light on or an overheated motor!
   * Repair: Replace spark plugs, ignition coils, and various gaskets.

* Exhaust System:
   * Issues: Exhaust leaks, exhaust manifold leaks, muffler leaks, catalytic converter failure, O2 sensor problems.
   * Repair: Replace exhaust components (manifolds, mufflers, sensors, pipe hangers, and pipes).

Wheelchair Lift Maintenance

If your shuttle bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift, regular maintenance is crucial for safe and reliable operation:

* Visual Inspection: Look for physical damage and wiring issues.

* Lubrication: Grease pivot points and bearings.

* Electrical Check: Test wiring and connections.

* Safety Features Check: Test safety interlocks and manual backups.

* Cleaning: Keep the lift clean and free of debris.

* Record Keeping: Maintain a service log for each lift.

Troubleshooting Wheelchair Lifts

* Platform not deploying or retracting? This might indicate an electrical or hydraulic issue.

* Lift stalls midway? Check for low hydraulic fluid or weak battery power.

* Unlevel platform? Inspect pivot points and hydraulic cylinders.


Reliable Parts Sources

* All Points Bus Parts: (631-586-9355)

* A-Z Bus Sales Parts: 

* Alliance Bus Parts: 

* Amazon:

* Bus Parts Experts: 

* BusParts.com (Unity School Bus Parts):

* Carpenter Bus Sales: 

* Central States Bus Sales: 

* Coach & Equipment Bus Parts:  https://www.coachbusparts.com

* Diamond Coach Bus Parts: 

* Ford Parts (OEM): FordParts.com

* Glaval Bus Parts: 

* NAPA Auto Parts (OEM and Aftermarket): NAPAonline.com

* Parts Geek (Aftermarket): PartsGeek.com

* RockAuto (Aftermarket and OEM): RockAuto.com

* SWR Bus Parts: 

* TESCO Bus Parts: 

Common Ford E-350 and E-450 Parts with Part Numbers (Reference Only)

* Engine and Drivetrain Parts

   * Air Filter: Motorcraft FA1886

   * Oil Filter: Motorcraft FL820S

   * Fuel Filter: Motorcraft FG986B

   * Spark Plugs: Motorcraft SP546 (Varies by year and type)

   * Ignition Coil: Motorcraft DG511


* Sheet Metal and Body Parts

   * Hood: 6C2Z-16612-AA

   * Front Left Fender: YC2Z-16006-AA

   * Front Right Fender: YC2Z-16005-AA

   * Driver’s Door: 8C2Z-1520000-A

   * Passenger Door: 8C2Z-1520001-A


* Interior Parts

   * Driver’s Seat Assembly: (Varies by vehicle)

   * Instrument Cluster: (Varies by year)

   * Climate Control Panel: (Varies by year)


* Lighting and Electrical

   * Headlight Assembly (Driver Side): 6C2Z-13008-AA

   * Tail Light Assembly (Driver Side): 6C2Z-13405-BA

   * Oxygen Sensor: Motorcraft (Varies)

* Radios and Audio Components

   * Radios (Varies)

   * Radio Display Module: (Varies)

   * Front Door Speaker (Driver Side): YC2Z-18808-AA


Remember: This guide provides general information. Always consult your owner’s manual and seek professional assistance for complex repairs or if you have any questions. Safe travels!


                                                                 Follow Us On Our Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube   

Comments are closed.