Have Your Belts and Hoses Checked Before Summer

Summer is the best time for family vacations, road trips far from home, and soaking up the sun. Before you take off on your adventure, add a belt and hose check to your pre-summer to-do list. Stop by the Russ Darrow Service and Repair shop for a quick inspection of these vital parts so you can plan your days without worry.

Summer is coming up fast, and it’s time to think about how to keep your car, truck, or SUV in perfect running condition during the hot weather.  One way is to check your belts and hoses before summer at Russ Darrow. Don’t let a broken or worn belt or hose spoil your summer plans. Regular inspections of vehicle components can prevent potential and catastrophic problems.  While routine maintenance and inspections are necessary year-round, summer heat strains your vehicle’s major systems. Engines work harder to stay cool, and the scorching summer heat can accelerate wear and tear on rubber components like belts and hoses. Russ Darrow technicians and manufacturers recommended checking them every 3,000 miles or 3 months for signs of wear like cracks, fraying, bulging, or glazing.  But it’s also essential to have them checked before summer because of the added strain the hot temperatures bring. High temperatures can cause belts to crack, fray, and ultimately break. Hoses that are brittle and are more likely to leak, leading to overheating and engine damage.  We tend to drive more often or take longer trips in the summer, adding strain on all vehicle parts. You might not know that your air conditioner relies heavily on belts to function correctly. Constant AC use during the summer can further weaken belts, increasing the risk of a breakdown.

Schedule an appointment at Russ Darrow, and the technicians will check your belts for signs of cracking along the belt’s surface, fraying along the edges of the belt, or glazing, which indicates the belt is slipping and needs replacement. If any missing pieces are missing, there is some severe wear. They will check hoses for soft, bulging areas, cracks on the outer surface of hoses, and coolant leaks around hose connections and squeeze them to feel soft or swollen areas. You could check for these issues yourself, but when you find a problem, bring the vehicle to Russ Darrow for a professional inspection of your belts and hoses and possible replacement before summer. Without belts and hoses in good condition, you could experience overheating issues, loss of power steering, alternator failure, A/C malfunction, or engine damage.

Besides having your belts and hoses checked before summer, consider having your tires, brakes, battery, oil, fluids, lights and signals, windshield wipers, and cooling system checked, especially if you’re planning to travel far from home. The Russ Darrow Service Center team has the advanced equipment in a state-of-the-art facility to correct any problem and handle all your automotive needs. The technicians are factory-trained to work on various makes and models, and we have the OEM parts for your car. That means they fit right and work like they should. A qualified mechanic can thoroughly inspect your belts and hoses and identify any potential issues before you find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Stop by a Russ Darrow Service and Repair Center in Wisconsin. It will only take a few minutes to have the technicians inspect your belts and hoses before the you do a lot of driving this summer. You can ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season with no unexpected problems. Don’t wait until you’re stranded on the side of the road – schedule a check-up today and hit the road with confidence!