Belts and hoses are critical parts of your engine and cooling system. To avoid problems, your hoses should be checked at every oil change. Belts generally need to be replaced every 30,000 - 60,000 miles (50,000 km - 100,000 km).
Signs that you should have your belts checked include:
- Cracks in the belt material
- Splitting, peeling or fraying belts
- You engine sounds like it's running rough or stalls out at a stop
- You hear knocking or pinging sounds when accelerating or after the ignition is turned off
- Your check-engine light remains on after your initial start
You should have your hoses checked if you notice any of the following:
- Bulging or inflated hoses
- Hardened or inflexible hose material
- Cracks along the hose
- Worn or corroded hose clamps