Belts and hoses play a huge part in many of your vehicle’s major systems, including the cooling system, heater core, alternator, air conditioning, radiator, and more. Their consistent performance is absolutely critical to the safe operation of your car, truck, or SUV. As the belts and hoses in our vehicle are constantly being exposed to high levels of stress and heat, they are more likely to become cracked, worn, or damaged than other automotive parts.
That’s why making sure you have a technician you can depend on to make sure the belts and hoses in your vehicle are always in good working order is vital to prolonging the life of your vehicle. By having the belts and hoses in your vehicle regularly inspected by the professionals at a Colony Tire & Service location near you, help avoid potentially expensive repairs that can come in the future due to a snapped belt or a hose failure.
Driving a vehicle that is approaching the timing belt mileage recommendation limit is like riding around with a ticking time bomb — you just don’t know when it will wear down enough to finally lose its grip. The results of a bad timing belt that has malfunctioned can be catastrophic. In older cars, fixing engine damage inflicted by a bad timing belt can even meet or exceed the current value of the car.
The serpentine belt snakes around major engine components, including the water pump, power steering, alternator, and air conditioner. It is responsible for maintaining steering and electrical performance. All it takes is one snapped belt and the entire mechanical process can completely shut down. In order to avoid this, we recommend visiting a Colony Tire location near you to have your serpentine belt replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
The radiator hose runs from the radiator to the engine. It’s often black in color and looks to be made of thick rubber. When a radiator hose malfunctions, you may see a pool of radiator fluid built up under the vehicle after you’ve been parked. However, in most cases, pressure gradually builds up in the hose, which can cause it to burst without warning. Luckily, minor preventative maintenance work from Colony Tire can catch this problem before that ever happens.
A running engine produces a tremendous amount of heat. This heat needs to be transferred away from the engine in order to prevent overheating — this is where the heater hose comes into play. A good heater hose can last for up to ten years if properly cared for. However, failing to have this important piece of your car’s heating and cooling system regularly inspected/serviced can lead to catastrophic engine failure, which will leave you stranded on the side of the road while you anxiously wait for a tow truck.
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