Your vehicle’s belts and hoses may be small, but they’re vital to its operation. From keeping your engine cool to running your power steering and alternator, we make sure these unsung heroes stay in top shape—before they leave you stranded.
Squealing or chirping noises coming from your car can often indicate issues with the belts and hoses. These sounds are typically caused by a loose or worn-out serpentine belt, which drives multiple components like the alternator, air conditioning, and power steering. A squeal may also signal a misalignment or tension problem with the belt. Additionally, hoses, especially those related to the cooling or braking system, can cause high-pitched sounds if they are cracked, leaking, or under excessive pressure. Addressing these issues early can prevent further damage to your vehicle’s engine and associated parts.
A sudden loss of power steering or air conditioning can indicate a problem with your car’s serpentine belt. This belt drives multiple systems, including the power steering pump and A/C compressor. If it becomes loose, worn, or breaks entirely, these components can stop working, making steering difficult and causing the A/C to fail. Prompt inspection and replacement are key to restoring full functionality.
An overheating engine is often a sign of failing belts or hoses, particularly those involved in the cooling system. A worn or broken belt can prevent the water pump from circulating coolant, while a cracked or leaking hose can lead to coolant loss. Both issues reduce the engine’s ability to stay cool, increasing the risk of serious damage.
A sudden loss of power steering or air conditioning can indicate a problem with your car’s serpentine belt. This belt drives multiple systems, including the power steering pump and A/C compressor. If it becomes loose, worn, or breaks entirely, these components can stop working, making steering difficult and causing the A/C to fail. Prompt inspection and replacement are key to restoring full functionality.
Exposure to heat, vibration and sometimes contamination causes the belts and hoses to wear out faster than most other components in your car. This is why getting your car inspected regularly is so crucial. Here are the belt and hose types in your car, along with their applications. While many accessories found in your car are powered by the charging system, others actually use the engine itself as their source of power.
This type of power is delivered by a system of pulleys and belts. Some examples of these accessories include the alternator, the water pump for engine cooling, the power steering pump, the air conditioning compressor, and the radiator cooling fan. Many of the late model cars use a single serpentine belt rather than the individual belts to drive these accessories.
The hoses that carry your car’s fluids are made of two layers of rubber with a layer of fabric found in between. Typical hoses include:
These hoses carry coolant to the engine and heater core.
Transports gasoline from the tank to the engine.
They connect the power steering pump to the steering gear.
