There's a lot going on under a vehicle's hood - probably more than you think about every day and that's OK: you should just be able to get in the car, turn the key and go. Two sets of under-the-hood components that are essential to your car's performance are the belts and hoses.

Belts run the water pump; power steering pump and alternator, to name a few. Belts are exposed to high heat and run at high speed so they will eventually wear out. Often there is no warning that a belt is wearing dangerously thin. An exception to that is if you hear a squeal under the hood while the car is running. A squeal can mean a belt is nearing the end of its life and not working properly due to wear. It should to be checked out right away. (If you hear a little squeal when the car isn't running, there's probably a mouse in the garage and it's time to get the cat.)

Hoses are found throughout the car, not just under the hood. Hoses deliver fluids to major systems like the brakes, the transmission and the radiator. They also are needed for the air conditioning and other smaller systems to run effectively. Hoses can become brittle and crack or lose elasticity. Often a hose will develop a leak, which is sort of a damp warning that something is amiss. Hoses can also fail with no warning, which is why they, like belts, should be checked regularly.

Should a belt or hose fail, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road and nobody wants that, so have Galaxy check them for you regularly. Galaxy technicians use a multi-point checklist when they look for wear on belts and hoses. If they find a problem, they'll tell you what it is and give you a cost estimate before any work is done.

Schedule your appointment today!