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A wide range of hoses are used on your car to carry everything from engine coolant to gasoline and brake fluid. Most stock hoses on your car are made from rubber – it’s flexible, relatively durable, can withstand heat to a certain point, and relatively inexpensive. Typically, automakers choose hoses that fit the widest range of needs and budgets.
Are there upgrades to stock car hoses?
There are a couple of possible options:
Stainless Steel: Braided stainless steel hoses can be used for many different things on your car. They work very well for fuel lines, and they can also replace your stock brake lines if you want. Stainless steel hoses are very strong, exceptionally durable, and very heat resistant. However, they can be very costly.
Silicone: Heat-resistant silicone can withstand very high temperatures without any damage. It’s also lightweight and moderately flexible. Silicone hoses can be used on your engine, primarily to replace coolant hoses. However, silicone can also easily be cut by an incorrectly installed hose clamp or eaten through by an engine component rubbing against it during operation.
The best course of action would be to speak with a mechanic about your options and what you can expect to gain in terms of longevity and performance versus the cost, as well as potential problems that you might encounter.
