Belts and Hoses
The intense Tucson sun can raise under-the-hood temperatures and accelerate the deterioration of the rubber compounds found in vehicle belts and hoses. Belt or hose failure can leave your engine's cooling system inoperable. An overheated engine can cause serious internal damage leading to a steep repair bill in the future.
Belts
Every time a belt makes a rotation in the engine, it flexes while under intense heat. Over time this causes the rubber of the belt to harden and crack. Older vehicles likely feature V-belts which can see an increased failure rate after 36,000 miles. Newer vehicles are built with single multi-grooved serpentine belts which can last 50,000 miles before seeing increased failure rates.
Hoses
The cooling system in your vehicle is connected by hoses made from rubber compounds, to absorb the vibrations of a running engine. However, these rubber compounds are susceptible to the wear and tear caused by fluctuating temperatures, dirts, oils and ECD. ECD is caused by acids and contaminants inside the hose that degrade the reinforcing materials. Small holes form inside and a worn hose can suddenly rupture. We recommend that you replace your hoses every four years or when one of them fails.