Auto hoses and tubing are such a basic component of automobiles that most auto owners and even mechanics take them for granted. Yet have a hot water hose burst or brake line leak and the resulting lack of heat out of a car’s heater or an unsafe braking situation occur and that is a big wakeup call and reminder. Tubing and hoses are used in many parts of your car or truck. Brake system, fuel delivery, vacuum applications, air conditioning, transmission fluid cooling, engine cooling and heating, power steering, instrumentation all utilize either tube or hose. In some instances even both are used. Indeed it can be said that selecting, using and working with tubing is part of most professional auto mechanics as well as home backyard weekend auto tinker type’s repair jobs and efforts. Hence it is most important as well as basic that any and all automotive mechanics be thoroughly familiar with the different types, their application and proper installation.

In terms of tubing materials annealed ( soft ) copper , half-hard copper, steel, aluminum, plastic and stainless steel are all some of the materials used in the manufacturing of tubing.. It used to be , and you will find in vintage autos that good old fashioned copper and steel were the mainstay in many cases and situations plastic and synthetics have been upgraded in materials and durability and replaced what were the standard metal component. You can thank the space race of the 1960’s and America’s race to the moon for that. Some auto buffs will think this is great, whereas others lament this fact in automotive manufacturing.

Still one should be familiar with the older and standard metal pipe materials.

To a great degree they are repairable whereas the newer types may not be. Copper is the more easily bent than steel but is not as strong. Copper tubing is rustproof, easy to bend and form good joints. It can be used for gas lines, vacuum lines, lubrication lines and for other low pressure applications. Copper is subject to work hardening (that is material becoming hard and brittle from repeated bending). Therefore it should be protected from excessive vibration. It must be emphasized and driven home never to use copper piping or tubing for brake or power steering work or repairs.

Next in line is steel tubing. When properly coated to prevent rust, steel tubing is suitable for almost all automotive applications. When used for high pressure systems such as brakes, the steel tubing should be of double wrapped, brazed and tin plated type. The double wall construction gives good strength and makes the tubing easy to bend. The tin plating protects it from road salt and corrosion.

Lastly in the line up is the current mainstay of many automotive hoses and tubing that is plastic tubing. Polyethylene and nylon are two of the materials used in the construction of much of what is referred to as “plastic” or even “rubber” tubes and automotive hoses. Soft plastic tubing has the advantage of flexibility, resistance to corrosion and work hardening. It wills not, however stand extreme high pressures overall as well as long standing excessive heat. Thus good uses are fuel, vacuum and some lubrication lines. Of course special and specialized inserts and even fittings are sometimes needed to attach the soft plastic to conventional tube fittings.

It can be said that overall motorists, automobile owners and even many mechanics consider auto hoses and tubes a basic component of their automobiles, and the vehicles they work on and maintain. They are usually reliable over the miles, are a bit mundane and not the most of exotic auto parts and accessories to work on. Yet they deserve care, attention and your auto mechanics care, attention and expertise.

Author Bio: Shaun Z. Stevens Vancouver BC