For those of you who don’t know much about cars, car belts and hoses do a tremendous amount of work for your car. They control a ton of different functions and if not properly taken care of, you’re looking at a big dip in your bank account later on! A failure in either can cause a overheated engine, loss of power steering and electrical charging system. Basically if anything fails, your entire coolant system is destroyed, and your the interior of your car completely overheats. So, here’s everything you need to know for preventative caution!
Belts:
- Signs of a belt-tension problem include a high-pitched whine or chirping sound and vibration noises. Without proper tension, belts will slip and generate heat or fail to turn the accessories.
- Any belt should be changed when it shows signs of excessive wear. It’s recommended to inspect belts and hoses every 3,000 miles, or essentially every time you need an oil change.
- Look for any cracks, fraying of material or splits on the top cover.
- Look for glazing on the sides of the belts. Glazed belts can overheat, crack or slip.
- Twist a serpentine belt for any layers that are separating, cracking or missing certain parts of the grooves underneath.
Hoses:
- Hoses can be destroyed easily since they are not made from great material, however it’s hard to physically see if there’s any damage, which is why it’s important to take it to a professional.
- Hoses should be replaced every 4 years.
- Look for any abrasions or melted spots on the hose.
- Pay attention to if your car idles for a long period of time.
- Your engine light is probably on, since it’s probably overheating!
If you’re even suspicious that something might be going wrong, head into Garrett Auto! We’ll inspect your belts and hoses for you and make sure everything is running smoothly. If you’re a KSU student or faculty nearby, take 10% off with a valid ID! Schedule an appointment with us ahead of time or stop in anytime.