What is a Serpentine Belt?

What is a serpentine belt? A serpentine belt is a small part of your vehicle that plays a huge role in its performance. This vital component helps to coordinate the movement of your engine block parts, so your car runs smoothly on the Naperville roads. And while your serpentine belt usually lasts for years and years of travel, it’s important to maintain it properly to prevent issues. Find out the answers to questions like “What does a serpentine belt do?” and “When should I replace my serpentine belt?” with River View Ford, and get more service tips from our experts in Oswego!

What Does a Serpentine Belt Do?

What is a serpentine belt and what does a serpentine belt do in your vehicle? A serpentine belt is a long strip of rubber that runs through the different components of your engine block – the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, and more. As the belt moves, it generates power to all of these components simultaneously. This process makes the serpentine belt extremely efficient. However if the belt breaks or becomes loose, it puts all of these components at risk. That’s why it’s so vital to ensure that your belt remains in top condition.

How Long Does a Serpentine Belt Last?

With normal use, most serpentine belts will last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles before needing a replacement. If you drive in more extreme conditions in Montgomery, the rubber may break down earlier. When you visit the service center for your routine maintenance visits, your technician will take a look under the hood to check for any potential damage.

How Do I Know It’s Time to Replace My Serpentine Belt?

• You notice squealing or chirping sounds under the hood as you navigate Yorkville.
• You experience failure of engine block components like the power steering or air conditioning systems.
• You can see cracking or fraying of the belt rubber when you pop the hood.
• You experience vehicle failure.

Schedule Your Service in River View Ford

Still have questions about your car’s components? Want to schedule an inspection for your serpentine belt? Feel free to reach out to us at River View Ford at any time. Contact us with your questions or schedule your service online at your convenience. You can even schedule service pickup and delivery if you’d prefer!