Are OEM Radiator Hoses Better Than Aftermarket?

A radiator hose is one of the key parts of your vehicle's cooling system that needs to be replaced periodically. The hoses are inexpensive compared to other parts, but you still may be wondering - are OEM radiator hoses better than aftermarket?

It's easy to assume all radiator hoses are the same, but there are some key differences between OEM and aftermarket hoses that we'll cover in this article.

OEM Vs. Aftermarket Radiator Hoses

OEM radiator hoses

Radiator hoses help circulate coolant between your vehicle's engine and the radiator. Every vehicle has two hoses - one to send cool coolant to the engine to absorb heat and one to return the hot coolant to the radiator, where it can be cooled. This coolant circulation is what keeps your engine operating at a safe temperature.

The hoses eventually have to be replaced, usually when flushing and replacing the coolant. When that happens, you can replace the hoses with OEM or aftermarket parts. It's easy to assume aftermarket hoses are the same as OEM hoses but cheaper. However, there are more things to consider than just the price, like quality and fit.

OEM Radiator Hose Quality

Radiator hoses must be flexible to connect the radiator to the engine but strong enough to handle years of hot, high-pressure use. Most OEM radiator hoses are made of Ethylene Propylene or EPDM, which offers strong resistance to heat, hot water, and ethylene glycol, the most common coolant.

Aftermarket radiator hoses may be made of other materials other than EPDM or may be thinner than OEM hoses. That's why they are usually less expensive and typically don't last as long as OEM hoses. As a result, you may have to replace the hoses more often, which means you'll have to replace the coolant more often as well. When that happens, you end up buying more hoses and paying for more coolant, costing you more money.

OEM Radiator Hoses Are Made To Fit Your Engine

OEM radiator hoses

Even though most radiators only have two hoses, they come in different shapes and sizes. The hoses may be a larger or smaller diameter, depending on the vehicle and the type of engine. They will be different shapes and lengths depending on if the vehicle is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive and the location of the hose attachments. That's why there's no one-size-fits-all soltuion when it comes to radiator hoses.

OEM radiator hoses take all those variables into account and are made to fit your vehicle down to the make, model, and engine type. The hoses will be pre-formed and shaped to fit your vehicle so they will easily hook up to your engine and radiator.

High-Quality Radiator Hoses From Suburban Auto Parts

OEM quality, longevity, fit and function are what you need when it comes to radiator hoses. If you're looking for the best place to find quality OEM belts, hoses, and radiator components, check out Suburban Auto Parts. We are one of the largest dealer groups in the country and offer a huge selection of genuine OEM parts and accessories for all kinds of vehicles. We offer the lowest prices on OEM parts and provide fast shipping from over 50 locations across the U.S.

Check out our reviews to see what makes us different, or contact us to work with one of our helpful and knowledgeable parts specialists.