Don?t Be Hosed (Radiator Hose Replacement)
December 21, 2025
If you are like most drivers, you don’t worry too much about what shape your radiator hoses are in. But they are a vital part of your coolant system, helping carry engine coolant from the hot engine to where it is cooled off in the radiator.
When the cooling system has a problem, you will likely see your vehicle’s temperature gauge showing you it’s running at a higher temperature than it usually does. Or maybe the low coolant light has come on. If either of these happens, it’s important that you not drive too long since a hot, running vehicle can suffer expensive damage quickly.
Radiator hoses can be damaged by being subjected to temperature extremes, both hot and cold. In addition to the temperature gauge climbing or low coolant light illuminating, there are other clues that may tell you your vehicle is leaking fluid. You may notice a green, yellow, brown or purple fluid pooled on the ground around your vehicle.
At any of these signs, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for service soon. A technician can inspect hoses for leaks, deformities and other problems, as well as looking for cracks and wear. They’ll also check the condition of the water pump, since problems with it can be another reason coolant will leak out from under your vehicle.
It is better to periodically have your hoses checked rather than waiting until they fail. How often you should have yours replaced depends a lot on what vehicle you own, and in what conditions it is driven. Rubber degrades not only by temperature but also by what materials it comes in contact with. For example, oil leaking on a radiator hose can prematurely cause that hose to fail. Age is another factor.
We recommend you have one of our technicians inspect your cooling system regularly so you don’t get “hosed” by a failure at an inconvenient time.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto
10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy
February 1, 2026
Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldnt you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better: Not enough air in your tires. Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more res... More
Losing Your Cool (Why is My Air Conditioning System Not Working?)
January 25, 2026
When you turn on the air conditioning in your vehicle, you expect cool air to come out of the vents. You depend on it, especially in hot weather, but it can also be important in humid weather when you need it to help defrost your windows and windshield. The air conditioning system has a lot of p... More
Why Maintaining Your Windshield Wipers and Washers Matters (Windshield Wiper and Washer Inspection)
January 18, 2026
What do mud, bird droppings and frost all have in common? When theyre covering your windshield, they can temporarily obscure your view of the road, leaving you driving blind. And when you cant see the road clearly ahead of you, it can be really scary. Thats one of the reasons its important to m... More