No matter whether you’re working on a racecar, a daily driver, or a tractor trailer, you know how important the cooling system is to your vehicle. Proper temperature and pressure is innately linked to proper performance, not to mention the permanent damage that can happen to your engine if it gets overheated. But while knowing when to replace your radiator itself is a pretty straightforward diagnosis, how do you know when the hoses need to be changed, too? In this blog post we’ll look at the top triggers for you to change your coolant hoses and upgrade them to silicone hoses.

1. You are upgrading your cooling system with an aftermarket radiator.

An aftermarket radiator can make a significant difference in your car’s cooling ability, but while you’re disconnecting the hoses anyway to install the new radiator, why not upgrade the hoses, too? A Flex Technology silicone hose that is custom-designed to fit the specific bends and twists of your vehicle is the perfect solution.

2. Your factory radiator has gone bad.

If your factory radiator has gone bad, chances are, your hoses have, too. The last thing you want to do is to have to replace your coolant hoses just a few weeks or months after you replaced the radiator. The most efficient way to cover your bases and not have to repeat work is to upgrade your hoses at the same time that you replace the radiator.

3. Your current hoses crackle when squeezed.

A handy test to tell if your factory rubber hoses are wearing out is to grasp them with your hand and squeeze them in a couple of places. If you hear a faint crackling sound, this is a signal that the rubber is breaking down. This will quickly expose you to potential problems such as leaks, so it’s a good idea to take care of the problem before it’s a big repair issue.

4. You are making tune-ups that will increase your vehicle’s under hood heat.

Let’s admit the facts: Turbo-charging a vehicle is just way too much fun! It’s fun to drive and it makes you hot - in more ways than one. When it comes to the operating temperature of your sports car or hot rod, you can’t overlook the effect this heat will have on your hoses. Fortunately, silicone hoses are built to withstand much higher temperatures than rubber hoses, so you can safely turbo boost away. (Think of the difference between your silicone kitchen spatula rated at 500oF and the rubber or polyester one that melts just by trying to flip an egg.)

5. You’re interested in aesthetics.

If you care about the way the body and interior of your car look, why wouldn’t you care about how clean and beautiful and top-notch the vehicle looks under the hood? Sure, not everyone is going to see it, but those who do ought to be dazzled by your attention to detail and high-quality work. So why not add some colored silicone hoses that will give just the right amount of bling to your coolant system?

If any of these conditions applies to you, place your order of silicone hoses today!