How often you should have your car, truck, or SUV’s belts and hoses changed really depends on your manufacturer’s recommendations and how many miles you put on your automobile. In some cases, belts and hoses can fail prematurely, which can turn into an expensive repair depending on the damage to other parts. Preventative maintenance helps automotive technicians spot trouble with belts and hoses before they become a huge problem, and here’s a general guide for belt and hose replacement.
Belts
Depending on your automobile’s year, make, and model, you either have a timing belt or a timing chain. If you have a timing chain, it should be checked every 100,000 miles just to make sure it isn’t stretched too much. If you have a timing belt, replace it every 40,000 to 60,000 miles depending on your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. If the timing belt breaks, it can cause severe engine damage.
Your automobile also has a v-belt if it’s older, which transfers engine power to crucial vehicle components such as the alternator and power steering pump. This belt should be replaced every 30,000 miles. If you have a newer car, truck, or SUV, it has a serpentine belt as opposed to a v-belt. The advantage of the serpentine belt is you can wait until 50,000 miles to have it changed.
Hoses
On average, hoses last about four years, although they can last longer. The thing to look for with hoses is whether they are cracking, loosening, or showing other signs of wear and tear. Once they begin to show their age, it’s best to replace them so you don’t lose crucial fluids or vacuum pressure out of your engine or brake system. If you see spots on your garage floor, the leak could be coming from a hose.
Preventative Maintenance
As we mentioned above, we inspect belts and hoses during preventative maintenance services and vehicles that are well-maintained can often go longer between belt and hose changes. If the serpentine belt remains in good shape, you might not have to have it changed until 70,000 miles. Hoses can go maybe a year longer before they need replacement. If the rest of your engine isn’t working too hard, the belts and hoses don’t have to work too hard, either.
Call Integrity Auto Repair today for an automotive service appointment. We’ll inspect your vehicle’s belts and hoses and let you know how many miles and years they have left on them. If anything needs to be replaced, we’ll do so right then and there so you can drive off with confidence.
