What is a Serpentine Belt?
The serpentine belt accepts drive power from the engine at the crankshaft and distributes it to the vehicle’s accessories including the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and air conditioning compressor.
This belt has multiple grooves which meet drive pulleys at each belt-driven accessory. The physical integrity of the serpentine belt is crucial to the performance of your accessories. Any cracks or fraying to the belt can cause problems. Serpentine belts never require adjustment but will need to be replaced if there are any signs of significant wear.
Warning Signs of Serpentine Belt Wear
- Power steering stops working
- Check engine light comes on
- Belt shows signs of cracking, fraying, or another physical defect
Vehicle manufacturer recommendations for serpentine belt replacement service vary considerably, but most fall between 60,000 and 100,000 thousand miles. Serpentine belts often come without a maintenance interval for replacement service. However, the belt will need to be inspected and replaced when necessary to restore peak performance.
The most significant risk of an old serpentine belt is that it can cause severe engine. Never ignore any of the warning signs related to serpentine belt wear and tear. If you need to replace your old belt, Travers Premier Auto & Tire Service has just what you need! With two locations in O’Fallon and Florissant, you are sure to find what you need. We proudly serve drivers from all over the St. Louis metropolitan area every day!
Benefits of Serpentine Belt Replacement Service
One of the most important benefits of serpentine belt replacement is eliminating the risks associated with driving on a faulty belt. Driving a car, truck, van, or SUV with an old serpentine belt is just a disaster waiting to happen; with an old serpentine belt, the problem is not if but when it will occur. Since it is the serpentine belt that powers most of the vehicle’s accessories, if it slips, wears out, or breaks, everything from the air conditioning, power steering, and alternator will all stop working.
