Most people take pride in owning a reliable, attractive car or truck. The key to keeping a vehicle dependable and aesthetically pleasing is a normal maintenance regimen. To some, taking their vehicle to the car wash every two weeks and to the local service facility is their idea of routine maintenance. But cars and trucks need more than this to maintain their showroom appearance, to continue to run correctly, and to optimize the factory's safety features
Belts & Hoses
Before starting any long trip or after every 50,000 miles of use, is a good time to have us inspect your engine's accessory belts. Today, many cars are equipped with a serpentine belt that runs all of the accessories, so if that belt breaks, you can lose your power steering, water pump and charging system immediately. We inspect the engine and look at the belt (or belts) to see if there is visible damage, abnormal wear or small hairline cracks. We recommend that any belt that shows signs of wear be replaced. Remember, even if a belt appears to be in good condition, it should be replaced every 50,000 miles as preventative maintenance, regardless.
Like belts, radiator and heater hoses are also made of rubber. Their condition should be checked periodically. Both the upper and lower radiator hoses can rupture from internal pressure and age without the driver knowing it. When that happens, the coolant spews out, and the engine can seize from excessive heat buildup.
In general, inspect all hoses for wear, including hairline cracks and soft, bulging spots. Hoses that come in contact with brackets or other metal parts are prone to wear in these areas. Even if the hoses pass visual inspection, we recommend changing all the water hoses every 50,000 miles.
It is especially important with the oncoming hotter weather that the hoses and belts be in good condition to prevent breakdowns and potential serious damage to you vehicle. Make appointment with us to have your car made ready for summer. It will pay to prevent.