Best Auto Repair News & Updates

Every car requires its components to work as designed to keep the multiple systems of your vehicle running smoothly. Two particular parts that need to be fully-functional are belts and hoses within your car’s engine.

The most important belt in your car is the serpentine belt. Also called the drive belt, this belt connects the power steering, air conditioning, alternator, and other critical parts of your car to the crankshaft. The crankshaft is an important component of your engine that powers the alternator as well as the water pump in certain cars. Overall, all of these rely on the serpentine belt to properly function.

As time goes on and your car gains more mileage, the serpentine belt will acquire wear and damage from the heat of your vehicle’s engine. If not replaced when it should be, the belt can break, making it hard to steer your car.

For vehicles in which the crankshaft controls the water pump as well, a broken drive belt can lead to engine overheating, which will cause serious issues for your car. It’s easy to see that each of these parts relies on each other to work as they should. With adequate upkeep, you can prevent critical damage to your car and save yourself some money on going to the shop for repairs.

Belt Upkeep

There are a few simple things you can do to increase the lifespan of your vehicle’s drive belt.

First, you should be aware of where this belt is located in your car. The specific location varies from car to car, but for most models, this belt is at the very front of your vehicle’s engine. When checking to see where the belt is, be sure that your car is off and relatively cool.

Each time you get an oil change, your technician will probably check to see that your belt is not significantly damaged. However, it’s fairly easy to occasionally check it yourself. It’s important to ensure that the belt is seated properly on the pulleys. If it seems to be slipping off, your engine likely won’t function and you will see a loss in engine power and performance, you may hear a squealing noise, and your engine can overheat.

Belts usually last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. They do not need to be regularly replaced unless they show significant damage or are old and worn.

Symptoms of a Broken Belt

There are a few symptoms you can watch out for regarding a broken belt:

●        engine making a squealing noise

●        battery check light illuminated

●        damage to the belt

●        steam coming from beneath your car’s hood

●        engine overheating

Your Car’s Hoses

Another critical part of your car’s ability to function are the hoses throughout your vehicle. Most fluids in your car travel around to the proper locations through hoses, which are generally rubber. Different hoses have varying lifespans, but they’re all subject to wear.

How often to replace hoses depends on your car’s mileage, but the general consensus is once about every 4 years. Hoses can generally last for quite a while, but it’s important to replace them when you need to. If you neglect your car’s hoses, you’ll be way more likely to face other issues down the road.

If you think there’s an issue with one of your car’s hoses, there are a few things you can do to keep vigilant against hose damage. Watch out for:

●        kinks

●        stiff texture

●        cracks

●        bulges

●        Bubbles come from cracks

Any of these appearing on your car’s hoses is a bad sign and an indicator that you may need a replacement hose. You can also squeeze hoses (while your car is cool) and inspect the way that they feel. If they’re soft, you may not need a replacement. If they’re stiff or brittle, then you should get them replaced before they crack and leak.

Huron Automotive: Your Experienced Automotive Center

With two locations in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Huron Automotive is your premier auto repair shop. Our friendly, expert technicians are here to help with belt or hose replacements, along with general repairs and services on your car.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the above symptoms or signs of a broken belt or damaged hose, bring your car to see us today. We are happy to check it out and make quick and affordable repairs to get you back on the road safely.