What should a school bus equipped with an automatic transmission do when engine RPM exceeds the recommended limits?

• A. Stop immediately
• B. Down-shift
• C. Up-shift
• D. Maintain speed

Answer: (C)

When the engine RPM exceeds the recommended limits in a school bus with an automatic transmission, the proper course of action is to up-shift. This process allows the transmission to change to a higher gear, which can help reduce the engine speed and bring the RPM back within a safe range. By shifting to a higher gear, the engine can operate more efficiently and avoid potential damage caused by running at excessively high RPM levels.

In this scenario, simply maintaining speed or stopping immediately could exacerbate the problem by causing the engine to labor excessively or lead to an abrupt halt. Down-shifting, on the other hand, would increase engine RPM further, potentially pushing it beyond safe limits, which could lead to mechanical issues. Therefore, up-shifting is the recommended action to ensure the engine functions safely and efficiently.