Car belts and hoses are essential to your car’s proper operation but are often the most overlooked parts in the engine compartment. Most vehicles are equipped with one to three or four engine accessory drive belts and several radiator, cooling system, and heater hoses. All of these belts and hoses perform unique and important functions within your vehicle. As you can imagine, if just one belt or hose is damaged or corroded, your vehicle can fail. That alone is a good reason to prioritize regular car belt and hose maintenance at Rad Air.
Hoses carry permanent coolant, or antifreeze, throughout the engine, heater, and radiator. This intricate system of hoses moves coolant from your radiator to the hottest part of your engine and then returns the overheated fluids back to the radiator to expel the heat and begin the cycle again. The release of the heat through the radiator is what keeps your car from overheating. If even one of these hoses becomes leaky or deteriorates to the point where it cannot do its job well, then your car will become vulnerable to overheating issues. The answer is to detect any damaged hoses as early as possible and replace them before a larger problem occurs.
Drive belts do many different jobs within your car’s engine. One of the most well-known belts is the serpentine belt—these run the pulleys that operate the power steering pump, water pump, alternator, and A/C compressor. As you can imagine, if any of the serpentine belts are worn or become loose or frayed, then all of these critical systems will leave you stranded on the side of the road. Timing belts, another type of belt, are also important to your car’s performance. A timing belt makes sure that the engine valves open and close in sync. If the timing belt or chain becomes loose or breaks, the engine pistons and valves can collide, causing serious (and expensive!) engine damage. If you hear squealing or squeaking noises, this is likely a sign of a belt that is either too long or worn out and needs to be replaced. A squealing or squeaking drive belt should be inspected and replaced as soon as possible.
The best way to maintain your car’s belts and hoses is to have your vehicle inspected regularly by a certified and trained automotive mechanic. While you can keep an ear out for the sounds of a squeaking or squealing belt, remember that a hose can fail without making any sound or giving any warning. This is why it is best to have an inspection done regularly to look for any failing belts and hoses before they cause major issues.
At Rad Air, we recommend having your vehicle’s belts and hoses inspected every time you visit us for an oil change. Typically, every 7-plus years or 100,000 miles, the belts and hoses should be serviced, though this will depend on your vehicle make and model and your unique driving style. We can provide top belt and hose replacement services at any of our locations across Northeast Ohio. Schedule your service today.