The rubber coolant hoses in your vehicle are subjected to constant abuse. Being exposed to a full range of temperatures multiple times a day can degrade them easily. Actually, it's a wonder they last as long as they do being made of only rubber. However, as the years catch up to them, a split coolant hose can quickly turn into a tow home. Don't let such an inexpensive part result in a costly tow. Replace all of your rubber coolant hoses at the first sign of wear and be sure you will get to your destination.

Wear is easy to see on these rubber hoses. Bulges, cracking, splitting at connections, and the loss of flexibility are usually big indicators that they are reaching the ends of their lives. Replace them whenever this wear is identified.

When you are replacing your coolant hoses, examine the rest of your cooling system to be sure that all these abused parts are being replaced. In numerous European car applications, hose flanges are made of plastic that cracks and leaks over time. Replace any suspect hose flanges and pick up some extra, factory-approved coolant to complete the job by looking under the Maintenance section of your specific model.