Belts and Hoses

Prolong a Vehicle’s Life By Periodically Checking its Belts and Hoses

The technicians at Mesa Arizona’s Accurate Automotive see countless vehicles for innumerable reasons.  And when customers bring their vehicle into Accurate Automotive, the technicians perform a cursory examination of the vehicle to ensure that everything is in its proper order.  One of the most common issues that the technicians spot is belts and hoses that are old and cracking.  For some reason, many drivers simply seem to overlook their car or truck’s belts and hoses when it comes to vehicle maintenance.  Perhaps what these drivers fail to recognize is that proper vehicle maintenance not only makes a vehicle run smoothly, but it also prolongs the life of the car.  In most instances, investing a little time and money in the short run on things like new belts and hoses will save a significant amount of money in the end.

How can drivers inspect their belts?

More often than not, drivers know when their belts require attention because their vehicle makes an unusual squeaking noise when driven.  While this noise should never be ignored, the fact of the matter is that it is possible for drivers to spot problems with their belts even before the squeaking begins.  Drivers who stay on top of checking their vehicle’s belts can visually notice when their belts need attention before the problem becomes critical.  A routine examination of the vehicle’s belts on a monthly basis can go a long way towards keeping the vehicle running optimally.

The best time to examine a vehicle’s belts is when the car or truck’s engine is cool, before it has been running for a period of time.  Each of the vehicle’s belts can then be checked for cues that replacement is necessary.  When examining the belts, drivers should look for things such as cracking in the rubber, vehicle fluids that have accumulated on the belt itself, accumulation of rubber particles on the belt pulleys, and worn out grooves on the underside of the belt.  Any of these signs are good indicators that the belts need replacing.  The tension should also be checked to ensure that the belts are neither too tight nor too loose.  Drivers who are not comfortable performing this inspection should have the technicians at Accurate Automotive do so for them.

How can drivers inspect their vehicle’s hoses?

Hoses are somewhat more difficult to inspect than belts because they can appear just fine from the outside, but have issues on the inside of the hose.  The best way to determine whether a hose is wearing on the inside is by feeling the end of the hose for bumps.  Drivers should locate the end of the hose and pinch it between their fingers.  If it feels uneven and bumpy, this is an indication that the inside of the hose is worn out, and that it requires replacement.  Another thing to look for is vehicle fluid on the outside of the hose, which can many times wear down the hose material.  Drivers who find problems with their vehicle’s hoses should bring their car or truck into Accurate Automotive swiftly to have the issue resolved.

It is unfortunate that so many drivers neglect to inspect their vehicle’s belts and hoses.  Overlooking this simple maintenance step can cost drivers dearly.  Accurate Automotive highly recommends that drivers incorporate belt and hose inspections into their vehicle maintenance program.