Few of your belongings require as meticulous maintenance as your vehicle. Any oversight could put you and your passengers at risk. One important step in ensuring your safety on the road is making sure that your vehicle’s belts and hoses are in tip-top shape.
What Do Belts and Hoses Actually Do For Your Vehicle?
Just like tires are essential for your vehicle to run, your car wouldn’t be able to take you all around your city without belts and hoses. A hose that doesn’t function properly can cause your engine to overheat and potentially damage your vehicle. Hoses work hand-in-hand with belts to make sure the operating temperature stays consistent. The belts also allow your crankshaft to turn the camshaft. If the belt broke, your engine would stop working completely.
How to Know If Your Hoses Need Replacing
Over time, your hoses can age and become hard and brittle. They can blister, crack, and even split. Take a look under your hood every once in a while and see if you notice any hose damage. If you do, your hoses will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Take your car into the auto shop to prevent any major car repair in the future.
How to Know If Your Belts Need Replacing
If you have a damaged belt, your power steering can stop working, among other issues. When the belt comes off, your engine can lock up and end up costing you a lot of money to repair. Belts break down over time due to heat, age, and mileage. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have maintenance done on a regular basis. The Car Care Council says that timing belts are typically replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Listen for squealing or other noises and take that as a sign that you should bring your vehicle into the auto repair shop sooner rather than later.
For your safety and the safety of others on the road, your car needs to stay in good shape. Signs that your belts or hoses may need replacing include weird noises and breaks and cracks in your hose. So, keep an eye out for those things and head to the auto mechanic shop when necessary.
