Belts & Hoses

A system of belts and hoses is shown on a motor.  

When it comes to automobiles, there are a lot of different moving parts and fluids that are required in order for the vehicle to function properly. Some of these components are rather large, such as the engine and the transmission, while others are much smaller and minor comparatively. Then, there are parts which are small in size, but vitally necessary for the larger components to function. While lacking in size, these components are as essential as the vehicle’s engine itself. A great example of these components is the various belts and hoses that are found throughout the vehicle.

A belt when referring to vehicles is a loop made out of a flexible material (usually rubber) that connects two or more rotating shafts mechanically. This allows motion to be created, which helps to transfer power between the shafts. Conversely, hoses are rubber hoses that a vehicle uses to transfer various fluids throughout the vehicle, which are vital for many different components. The average vehicle contains quite a variety of belts and hoses that are used for the operation of a host of different parts and components. It is important to understand both the difference between these belts and hoses as well as common issues, as many of the belts and hoses can leave your car unmovable on the side of the road should they fail while you are out.