Blogs

How Long Do Belts and Hoses Last on Your Car?

Belts and hoses are relatively simple parts and they’re not usually expensive. But when they fail, that can keep your car grounded indefinitely, right? So the question often becomes how long can those parts last before you need to have them replaced. Max Mile Car Care Center has some information to help you to get the most out of the hoses and belts on your car.

It Depends, Honestly

Belts, hoses, and other parts under the hood and in the passenger area of your car are made from a mix of synthetic and real rubbers and plastics. Over time, both rubber and plastic can harden, become brittle, and even shrink. That all affects how long those parts last. If there are other variables at play, too, that changes the answer even more. If the belts and hoses are under significant strain, they’re more likely to fail earlier than expected.

Where You Keep Your Car Makes a Difference

If you’re lucky enough to be able to keep your car in a garage when it’s not in use and park it in protected areas when you’re out and about, you’re likely to be able to increase the lifespan of hoses and belts on your car. But that’s not foolproof, because of course they’re still aging and they’re still working. Cars that spend all of their time completely exposed to the elements are likely to have a much shorter lifespan for all sorts of rubber and plastic parts, not just the belts and hoses.

Preventive Maintenance Goes a Long Way

What helps the most when you’re trying to extend the life of your belts, hoses, and other potentially fragile pieces of rubber and plastic is preventive maintenance. By following the schedule set forth in your car’s owner’s manual, you’re going to have the belts and hoses checked as often as necessary in order to make sure that they’re all in proper working order. Skipping that routine maintenance makes it more likely that you might experience an unexpected failure in one or more parts. If you can avoid that, it’s always preferable to do so.

Max Mile Car Care Center in Hallam, PA is happy to help with all of your preventive maintenance needs, including checking out your hoses and belts to make sure that they’re in the best possible condition. Give us a call to set up an appointment and we’ll let you know where you stand.

Image by kadmy from bigstockphoto.com
keyboard_arrow_up

Accessibility Toolbar