

We don't have to tell you about the importance of belts, pants-wearer. But the belts and hoses under the hood of your car are -- dare we suggest -- even more important? Controversial, perhaps, but true. A failed belt that wasn't replaced on time or a frayed coolant hose that starts to leak spells big problems for your commute. Catch these problems early through proper auto care with help from us at Capitol! Here are five things you should know about caring for the belts and hoses under the hood of your car.

5. Break Out The Owner's Manual
Your owner's manual tells you exactly how often to perform preventative maintenance or have a certified mechanic perform a multi-point inspection to stave off trouble spots. For instance, every 2013 Subaru model should have all of its belts, hoses, fittings and other integral cooling system components inspected by a technician every 30,000 miles as part of routine maintenance.
Furthermore, the accessory belt is considered a wearable part -- meaning it's designed only to last so long until it should be replaced by an identical new part. In the case of a 2013 Subaru Outback, for instance, the accessory belt should be replaced every 105,000 miles. These are long-lasting parts, but they won't last indefinitely. So be sure to check your owner's manual, or give us a call if you've misplaced yours. We have all the OEM recommended maintenance schedules for Subaru vehicles so we can do what's right for your car.

4. The Different Kinds Of Automotive Belts
Modern vehicles have a single accessory belt that's attached to every belt-driven accessory under the hood, but older vehicles had a simpler design.
Each accessory -- like a power steering pump, water pump or alternator -- got its own accessory belt. As the engine's crankshaft turns, it rotates the accessory belts, which in turn rotate pulleys on the accessories, giving them power. These days, instead of multiple smaller belts, a single, huge belt is routed in a specific pattern around several different accessory pulleys. This allows for more compact engine designs, less costly maintenance and fewer moving parts.
Some Subaru vehicles also have a belt under the hood called a timing belt, but it's a different breed of belt. Learn more in the related articles section below.

3. Visual Inspection: What To Look For
You can monitor the condition of your vehicle's belts and hoses yourself, right in your garage.
The rubberized compounds that make up accessory belts and coolant hoses can break down over time. A coolant leak under the hood could accelerate this process by leaking corrosive fluid onto the belt. Worse, an accessory belt that got coated with leaking engine oil could become glazed and slippery, allowing pulleys to slip and causing all sorts of problems.
You'll also want to look for signs of physical damage, like fraying or tearing. On hoses, pay special attention to stress points, like sharp bends and fittings. With belts, be sure to check the undersides too, as they're ribbed to grip the pulleys. If these ribs are torn up with chunks missing, it's probably time to replace that old belt.

2. A Tense Subject...
In addition to the belt itself being in good condition, a part called the tensioner has to be in working order. On modern cars, automatic tensioners keep the proper level of tension on the belt at all times. However, if it's not working correctly, you could experience problems. Common symptoms of belt tensioners that may need replacement include squeaking and squealing noises, pulleys crying out from improper tension or rattling noises coming from a loose belt or bent pulley.
1. OEM Quality Matters
When it's time to replace a belt, you need to be sure to get the right belt with the right size for your specific engine. Some vehicles may have multiple belt designs for the same engine offered at different trim levels, since the layout of the accessories may vary from trim package to trim package, so be extra careful here.
At Capitol Subaru, we always recommend getting genuine OEM subaru parts from our parts department. Not only do Subaru OEM parts come with guaranteed, warranty-backed quality, you'll have our friendly staff at your disposal. We'll help make sure you get the exact part you need for your vehicle the first time, and we can even lend a hand in our service center if you've got better things to do.
Related Articles:
- 4 Things To Know About Your Vehicle's Timing Belt
- 5 Reasons The Battery In Your Car Keeps Dying
- 4 Things To Khow About DIY Auto Maintenance


Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500
Hours
- Monday 9:00am - 8:00pm
- Tuesday 9:00am - 8:00pm
- Wednesday 9:00am - 8:00pm
- Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm
- Friday 9:00am - 9:00pm
- Saturday 9:00am - 9:00pm
- Sunday 10:00am - 7:00pm