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Belts & Hoses
Belts & Hoses
Your vehicle’s belts and hoses are involved in processes within the cooling system, air conditioning system, charging system, and engine. These belts and hoses play crucial roles in functional operations inside your vehicle. The heater hose and radiator hose carry liquid coolant to and from the engine, radiator, and heater core. The timing belt is responsible for maintaining engine precision by synchronizing the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, which move the engine’s valves and pistons. However, not all vehicles contain timing belts. In place of timing belts, some vehicles use timing chains. On the outside of the engine, the serpentine belt transmits power from the front of the engine to other systems in the vehicle, like the air conditioning system and charging system. Some factors that contribute to wear and tear on your belts and hoses include vehicle age, mileage, belt tension, hose clamp failure, electrochemical degradation, and oil contamination. In the long run, routine maintenance and replacements of your vehicle’s belts and hoses will prevent breakdowns and costly repairs.
Benefits of Belts & Hoses
When compared to other components in your car, belts and hoses have one of the shortest life spans. These items are constantly exposed to engine heat, vehicle vibrations, and harmful chemicals, which all have the potential to cause cracks and leaks. Some symptoms to be aware of for belts and hoses nearing failure include squeaking, screeching, or grinding noises that begin when starting your engine or appear during vehicle operation. It's worth noting that grinding sounds near belts are usually associated with a bad pulley bearing rather than the belt itself, as the pulley bearing may freeze up and ultimately lead to a belt replacement. Other symptoms of a bad belt or hose include loss of power, leaking coolant or other fluids, illuminated dashboard lights, rising steam from the engine, and air conditioning failure. While routine maintenance of belts and hoses is always important, summertime is an especially important season to keep an eye under the hood due to increased temperatures, which will accelerate deterioration of the rubber components. Since belts and hoses can be difficult to inspect visually, be sure to follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for scheduled maintenance.
Heater Hose Replacement
Basics Behind Brake Rotor Replacement Services
at Friendly City Tire
Your brake system’s rotors, in conjunction with the brake pads, help bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Commonly made of cast iron, rotors are discs that mount to the wheel hub. When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads compress against the rotors and slow your wheels. Rotor design may vary from vehicle to vehicle and from brake system to brake system. Variations in design help dissipate the heat created between the brake pads and the rotors when you slow your vehicle. Disc brake systems can account for heat dissipation in two ways: either the rotors will have a ventilated design, or the brake pads will contain a slot on the surface. These vents and slots provide passages so air circulation can effectively cool the rotor. Proper heat dissipation is extremely important for prolonging the life of your rotors. Drivers are encouraged to watch their brake rotors and seek rotor repairs or rotor replacements when necessary.
Why Should You Have Brake Rotor Replacement Services Performed at Friendly City Tire?
Brake pads and rotors work together to stop your vehicle and share similar wear patterns. As brake pads compress against the rotor to stop the vehicle, the friction required to slow your wheels creates a large amount of heat that, if not properly dissipated, can wear down your brake pads and rotors. A vibrating brake pedal is one indication that your rotors are damaged and need to be replaced. When a rotor is removed from the brake assembly, the rotor will be inspected for cracks and other damage incurred during routine operation. Periodic inspections of rotors will prolong rotor repairs and replacements while ensuring your brake system continues operating as expected. Seeking brake rotor replacements within the service intervals indicated by your owner’s manual, or as wear and tear dictates, is an important part of brake maintenance. If you are wondering if a rotor replacement is right for your vehicle, please consult with a member of our service staff today.
Radiator Hose Replacement
Basics Behind Heater Hose Replacement Services
at Friendly City Tire
Heater hoses play a crucial role in a vehicle’s heating system, which operates in conjunction with the cooling system. Running engines produce a tremendous amount of heat that will need to be transferred away from the engine in order to prevent overheating and subsequent breakdowns. Heater hoses are responsible for carrying coolant to prevent overheating. Coolant or antifreeze flows through the engine, absorbs the excess heat, and carries the heat away from the engine. More specifically, heater hoses are responsible for transferring coolant away from the engine to the heater core, where the warm air can be blown inside the compartment of your vehicle by engaging the adjacent fan. Heater fans blow through the heater core to heat the vehicle and cool the antifreeze inside of it. The hoses transfer the coolant back into the path of the cooling system at a lower temperature so the coolant can continue to regulate consistent temperatures inside the engine.
Why Should You Have Heater Hose Replacement Services Performed at Friendly City Tire?
Made of durable rubber, heater hoses are built to sustain the hot coolant that is carried from the engine to the heater core. Poor climate control is a sign of problems with your vehicle’s hoses. When your heater hoses near the end of their useful life, they will become hard and brittle or soft and mushy. If they crack, the coolant will leak and pool underneath your vehicle. When this happens, allow a member of our service staff to replace your heater hoses. A leaky hose means your heating system will not effectively heat your vehicle, and your cooling system will not have a proper supply of coolant. Leaky heater hoses can result in your engine overheating. As such, we encourage you to periodically inspect your heater hoses to determine the correct time to replace them.
Serpentine Belt Replacement
Basics Behind Serpentine Belt Replacement Services at Friendly City Tire
As the timing belt synchronizes engine processes, the serpentine belt powers peripheral processes in the engine compartment, like the power steering pump, water pump, cooling fan, air conditioner, and alternator. The serpentine belt receives its name from the snake-like path it takes through the various steering and electrical components it powers. Belt tension also plays an important role in serpentine belt maintenance. A properly tensioned belt helps promote long belt life while ensuring that all components are not overloaded or strained during operation. Serpentine belts are tough, built to sustain years of continued and heavy use, but they do have a natural life projected by every manufacturer. Periodic inspections of your serpentine belt will help prevent breakdowns, though replacing your serpentine belt is a natural part of overall car maintenance. If you suspect trouble with your serpentine belt, please give us a call or contact us for assistance.
Why Should You Have Serpentine Belt Replacement Services Performed at Friendly City Tire?
Because your serpentine belt powers varying processes in the front of your engine, failure of the belt will result in failure of the other processes. If the serpentine belt fails to power the water pump, an important part of the cooling system, your engine could overheat and break down. Steering would also be impossible without a fully functioning belt. Regular inspections can keep your serpentine belt operating as intended. Visual inspections are the best way to detect early signs of serpentine belt issues, like frays and cracks. Trouble turning or steering at low speeds is another sign of possible belt failure. A loose belt can result in overheating, engine noise, or a dead battery. Manufacturers advise adhering to specific maintenance intervals for scheduling a serpentine belt replacement. When it’s time to replace your serpentine belt, just give us a call or contact us online.
Timing Belt Replacement
Basics Behind Timing Belt Replacement Services
at Friendly City Tire
The timing belt, or timing chain in some vehicles, is a drive belt that synchronizes the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft with the opening and closing of your engine’s valves. Depending on the vehicle, it may also rotate the water pump. When the crankshaft turns, the timing belt turns the camshaft, which opens and closes the engine valves to allow the pistons to move up and down. Your vehicle’s engine operates in four phases: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. During the intake phase, intake valves open and exhaust valves close as fuel and air enter the cylinders. As the air and fuel is mixed, compressed, and ignited by spark plugs during the compression and combustion phases, the valves close. The remaining air and fuel is pushed out of the exhaust valve during the exhaust phase. The timing belt is responsible for synchronizing this process and for opening and closing valves during normal engine operation.
Why Should You Have Timing Belt Replacement Services Performed at Friendly City Tire?
Avoiding a timing belt replacement can result in complete engine failure. A worn or stretched belt can disrupt the operating order of the valves and pistons, which can result in a piston hitting a valve and damaging the engine. Timing belt failure warning signs include rough idling or difficulty starting the engine. Cracks on the belt, which is made of reinforced rubber, are an indication that it may soon break. Replacement of your timing belt will help keep your engine performing as it should and ensure you avoid expensive future repairs. During our replacement service, your belt will be replaced and synchronized with the crankshaft and camshaft to restore proper operating precision and order. It is widely recommended that you have your water pump changed during a timing belt replacement service as well. If your water pump fails later, it can do great damage to your vehicle. Since the water pump is easy to change during a timing belt replacement, consider having a new one installed at this time. Referring to your owner’s manual will help determine the appropriate service intervals for timing belt maintenance.