7 Ways to Protect Your Bus or Van From the Summer Heat

Eddie Cochran sang “There ain’t no cure for the summertime blues” back in the 1950’s.  And while there is no reliable documentation of his having ever owned a bus, today’s bus and van owners, or any vehicle for that matter, can take his words to heart.  There might not be a cure when the summer sun heats your seat, steering wheel, and dashboard to temperatures between 180 and 200 degrees, but there are some things you can do to lessen the sizzle.

1. Open a window – Sunlight entering your parked vehicle bounces off the interior surfaces and creates a mini greenhouse effect, causing you to feel that blast of hot air when you open the door.  Lowering your window a mere 2 inches can reduce the interior temperature of your car by 30 degrees on a 98 degree day!  This can really help you survive the initial heatwave when you get into your car.  In addition, roll the windows all the way down for a few minutes as you drive, turn the AC on from “Circulate” to “Exterior”, and let that hot air get pulled outside.  This helps pull the hot air out of the AC system as well, then when the AC runs cold you can put your windows up and the system back to “Circulate”.  Only drive with your windows down when you are traveling at low speeds, because the wind drag will affect your gas mileage.  Even when the outside temperature is only in the lower 70s, the temperature inside a closed car can reach 100 in a little over 20 minutes
2. Use a reflective sunshade – A reflective sunshade can be carried easily and put up beneath the windshield when the bus is not in use.  This not only reduces the interior temperature by 15 degrees but can reduce the temperature on the dashboard and seats by 40 degrees.  In addition to helping cool the vehicle, it also can help protect your dash and seats from UV light and heat deterioration and fading or cracking.  A good protectant should also be applied regularly to help hydrate and block harsh sunlight as well.  If allowed in your state, window tinting can reduce interior heat by 45%, depending on your insulation.  But you should definitely check your local tinting laws for buses, because they are different than regular passenger vehicles.
3. Seek the shade – Unless you are parking under a specially designed cover or in a garage designed to handle larger vehicles, chances are you’ll be parking your bus outside.  If possible, seek shade.  Even a carport type cover can help lower the overall temperature in your bus, and help it cool off quicker.  Trees are a last resort and can offer shade, but they also typically come with sap, bird droppings, and other debris that can destroy the finish of your bus or any vinyl body wrap you have installed.  This makes it age more quickly and should only be done if you can wash it frequently.  Tarps and covers are an option for long term storage or infrequent use, but not practical for daily usage.  If you must park it on an open lot, try to park close to a tall building, if possible, to at least be parked in the shade half of the day. 
4. Check your tires – Heat is not a friend to rubber, and can quickly degrade your seals, windshield wipers, and tires.  Tires can lose pressure in cold weather and gain pressure in hot weather.  This causes and knicks or bulges to weaken and can lead to a blowout when driving over hot asphalt or concrete.  You can buy a tire gauge to carry in your bus and check your tire pressure every time you fill up with gas.  You should also carry a compressor or in the least a can of tire repair in your roadside emergency kit. 
5. Maintain your battery – Most people assume that cold weather is harder on a vehicle battery, when it is actually the extreme heat that causes a battery’s life span to drop by almost half.  Hot weather speeds up the chemical reactions inside a battery, but it also shortens the battery life.  Test your battery frequently during hot weather and make sure it still has fluids.  Clean off the posts and make sure the cables are tight.  If it is old (3-5 years is an average battery life) you should consider replacing it before it leaves you stranded in the heat.
6. Hydrate – Just like humans, buses and vans need liquids to regulate temperature.  The hotter the weather, the more liquids needed.  Check your oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid regularly when the temperature rises.  Your coolant level is very important, because it regulates the engine.  Low coolant levels are hard on the engine and can cause overheating and failure.  You should also make sure the belts are secure and not cracked.  If you notice the AC not cooling off properly, you might need to add some refrigerant.  If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, set up an appointment with Hudson Bus Sales for our mobile service.
7. Keep it clean – Cleaning off any grease, grime, or debris will help protect your bus’s paint that has UV inhibitors.  Bird droppings and some bugs can be extremely caustic for paint and vinyl graphics.  A good cleaning and waxing should be part of your regular maintenance routine.  Take special precautions if your bus or van has graphics or wraps, as some chemicals can be harmful for them.  You should also be careful about using too hard of a spray nozzle when power washing the graphics.

Summer heat can range anywhere from mild to harsh, depending on your geographic location, with temperatures hot enough to bake cookies on your dash.  Taking precautions and preparing for it can not only make it more comfortable for you and your passengers, but also prolong the service life of your bus or van.  If you’d like to see about purchasing a new MFSAB Bus, commercial shuttle, or transit van, you can contact Hudson Bus Sales here.  If you have a bus you would like to sell, click Sell My Bus for a no obligation quote.