There are a lot of factors that impact the overall performance and longevity of your vehicle. Imagine how much wear and tear your vehicle goes through each time you drive. Two factors that have major impacts on vehicle wear and tear are the engine temperatures and vibration. This is especially true when it comes to the life of belts and hoses.
So, what are belts and hoses? There are some accessories in your vehicle that are powered by the charging system, and others that are powered by belts. These belts are a system of pulleys that drive specific functions of the vehicle engine. Hoses carry vital fluids through your engine in order to lubricate and maintain the constant flow of machine parts. Below is a summary of critical belts and hoses within your vehicle’s engine:
| Function | Types | |
|---|---|---|
| Belts | Belts aid in the operation of specific accessories within your vehicle’s engine, such as: ◙ Radiator Cooling Fan ◙ AC Compressor ◙ Water and Steering Pumps ◙ Alternator | ◙ Serpentine Belt ◙ Timing Belt |
| Hoses | Hoses are flexible tubing that carry vital fluids to your vehicle's engine parts, such as: ◙ Coolant ◙ Gasoline or Oil ◙ Transmission Fluid ◙ Brake Fluid | ◙ Radiator Hose ◙ Fuel Hose ◙ Coolant Hoses |
When an engine is running, parts are constantly subjected to vibration and high temperatures, which makes them more susceptible to problems over time. Those problems may surface through loss of flexibility, cracking or aging, and even sometimes bulges.
As vehicle owners, we are not always thinking about hoses and belts until there is a problem or we are stranded on a highway. When our vehicles reach the point of hose or belt damage, an engine failure may end up being a costly problem.
There are a few simple things you can do to prevent your hoses and belts from reaching a point where you may have engine failure.
- Check your hoses and belts for wear and tear: Do a visual check of the hoses for things like being too loose, being cracked, aged, or bulged.
- Get repairs on hoses and belts: Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, can inspect your hoses and belts and make any recommendations for repairs.
- Monitor engine fluids: Keeping the engine fluids full and clean is an important part of keeping your engine and the critical parts lubricated and in good working order. At Geller’s Automotive, we will check all fluids during our inspection and make sure that if they need to be filled or replaced, that will be part of your vehicle’s servicing.
By following a few simple guidelines, you can keep your vehicle’s engine healthy and running at its peak performance. If you would like to get an inspection or servicing done on your vehicle’s belts or hoses, make an appointment today with Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey.
