How Often Should I Replace My Belts and Hoses?

The easy answer to these questions is serpentine belts should be replaced every 5 years or 50,000 miles, V belts every 3 years or 36,000 miles, while hoses should be replaced every 4 years or 40,000 miles. The hard part is making sure these replacements occur prior to a failure, because most owners don’t think about these important components until there is a failure. The bad news is the chance for that failure increases dramatically each year we don’t do something about them beyond the suggested replacement timeframes mentioned above.

How to tell your belts need replacing:

  • Squealing sounds from the engine
  • AC or Power Steering not working
  • Cracks and wear on belts also glazed or slick looking belts
  • Engine overheating

Heat and time are the main enemies of belts as the rubber will naturally harden over time with the heat that is generated as it bends and flexes around numerous pulleys millions of times. Those millions of revolutions will eventually cause the belt to loosen and slip, thereby not doing its job. Keeping an eye on your belts is always a good idea but understand that unlike some of the older belts that would show their deterioration via exposed cords, cracking or fraying, some newer belts can be hiding these symptoms internally without the external indicators.

How to tell you hoses need replacing:

  • Inspect your hoses for cracks or signs of unusual wear
  • Squeeze the cool hoses to insure they are soft and pliable
  • Bubble or bulges in the hose particularly the ends where they connect to the engine and radiator.

The main enemy of your hoses is corrosion that causes small cracks to form on the inside of the hose and eventually weakens the hoses fibers to the point of leaks or blow outs. So again, as with the belts, keeping an eye out for the warning signs above is a good practice. The problem is coming from the inside to the outside and hiding possible indicators to potential problems.

Belts and hoses can last a long time, but proactively replacing them before they fail is always better than potential side of the road stranding. In addition, there is a possibility that a belt or hose failure could cause severe damage to other parts of your vehicle.

Click Here to Set Up an Appointment

If you suspect one of your hoses or belts is about to fail, or maybe your just can’t remember when you last replaced them, Give Fifth Gear Automotive in Lewisville, TX a call to set up an appointment to inspect your system. Fifth Gear Automotive performs a thorough inspection of the belts and hoses with each visit and/or oil change to insure your vehicle is performing at its best. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms call to schedule service with Fifth Gear Automotive for a comprehensive inspection by one of our ASE certified mechanics.

Fifth Gear Automotive is a family owed, independent automotive repair shop with over 100 years of experience with all domestic and import makes and models, specializing in European auto repair and over 14 years serving Lewisville, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lantana, Double Oak, and the surrounding communities. We have one goal; Complete Customer Satisfaction on all your auto repairs.