The belts and hoses that your vehicle is equipped with are essential parts vital to the function of your engine’s cooling, charging, and air conditioning systems. Ensuring your belts and hoses are checked often will ensure your vehicle continues to function as it should.

Timing Belt

The timing belt allows the crankshaft to turn the camshaft. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will quit working immediately.

Serpentine Belt

Drive belts, commonly known as serpentine belts, provide power to major components such as the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, cooling fan, and more. While serpentine belts today have less tendency to stretch or slip, after time they will wear out. If the belt breaks the vehicle will still run, however, your vehicle is at risk for an overheating engine because it is unable to supply power to the water pump.  The serpentine belt should be inspected routinely and is most often replaced around 50,000 miles.

Hoses

The hoses in your vehicle connect to the radiator, heater, fuel lines, vacuum lines, air conditioning, and power steering. Portions of hoses connected to the engine are flexible to absorb vibrations from the vehicle. Most often hoses will wear from the inside, appearing stable on the outside. Dryness can affect rubber causing it to break down. It’s recommended to replace hoses at about 50,000 miles but should be checked for cracks, breaks, or dryness frequently.